20/03/2026
What is an upswept panel.
This design provides a shorter “footprint,” helping to prevent the saddle from resting on a horse’s sensitive loin area. This makes it ideal for short-backed, compact, or croup-high horses.
Reduced Length: They reduce the weight-bearing surface of the saddle.
Ideal for Short Backs: Suitable for horses with short backs, croup-high conformation, or those with hock issues.
Rider Space: They can allow a rider to have a larger seat size on a smaller weight-bearing area without the saddle being too long for the horse. However, there are limits—for example, the cantle would not typically be more than 1 inch longer than the panel. Most standard gusseted saddles often have a panel length up to 2 inches longer than the seat, whereas upswept and compact panels are usually around 1 inch shorter than the seat length. This style of saddle rides slightly lighter at the back, and horses with pre-existing hock issues often find this design very comfortable.
Not a Curved Tree: An upswept panel refers to the cut of the panel, not the shape of the tree. It is simply a design choice and was commonly used in older-style pony saddles. For example, 18-inch pony saddles were often used on large native breeds, as many of these ponies could comfortably carry an adult rider.
