by Base/Panel Options

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Base considerations
Can be ordered here
Ghost offers 3 different base options:  the Flexx, the Semi Flexx, and the standard Ghost base. The Flexx is the same as the Bareback pad but with panels to allow constant stirrup use for lighter riders.

It can be a bit overwhelming to decide which is best for you and your horse! But it's really not too complicated and remember that Ghost, Semi Flexx and Flexx are completely interchangeable so you can take your Ghost saddle and switch to a Flexx base and vice versa. Here's a video which compares flexibility along the length and at the shoulders - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D1kz9kvbhQE NOTE: The "C", "E", and "JB" lines have separate bases. The Buttera pommel, Mohawk pommel, and Iberian cantle also change the cut of the seat, preventing interchange.

Here is my recommendation on choosing the right base:

1) If you ride a lot of bareback, don't need stirrups most of the time, don't care about twist, really want to sit close to your horse - go with Cavallin BBP. There are many very cool seat options

2) If your horse has a lot of shape change and you think a BBP might be better for your horse but you need more support for your riding activities, need to use stirrups, need to tie more stuff to your saddle, want a little more support/weight distribution - go with Flexx.

3) If you need narrow twist, but you still want some additional flexibility - go with Semi-Flexx

3) If your horse isn't quite so "wiggly" or you "ride hard" or you really need narrower twist - go with Ghost.

4) A new option is the Arabo/narrow front which straightens the standard flare for bigger shoulder motions, reducing the need for shimming the more streamlined horses.

As an endurance rider, I have primarily ridden with a Ghost base and my various horses have done well. But my young gelding Merlin has a very short back with a forward girth groove and is very sensitive to anything going forward. He wouldn't canter with Ghost and was uncomfortable with most treed saddles especially on downhills. I tried a BBP and he loved it but that's not a good solution for endurance. Then the Flexx was born and it changed everything. It has been more stable on downhills, has been sufficiently stable or even moreso side to side, and sweat patterns have improved (even though the previous patterns weren't a problem, we all want them to look perfect!)

I also tried my mare who is very wide and moves like spaghetti with the Flexx. She's a tough nut, cranky at the best of times, and hard to tell if she's pissed and uncomfortable or mad cuz she feels so good she wants to go faster than I'll let her. But after a few rides it was clear she's much happier with the Flexx (and she will never, ever be asked to go in a tree again.)

I did 100 miles on my other gelding who can go in anything, but this was my test to make sure Flexx wasn't too flexible and it was perfect. By the end of the summer, I did 3 100s on this horse, one in Original Ghost, next on with the Flexx, and the last one with the Semi Flexx since it became available later.

I do notice the wider feel with Flexx, but I'm also closer to the horse, so there's the plus/minus for the structure that the regular Ghost base provides.

If you've tried Ghost and either had a cranky reaction or any indications of friction but you really wish it had worked because you loved the saddle, it may be a very good reason to try a Flexx base. Also people who come from riding BMSS and actually prefer a wider twist will be happier with the Flexx.

Cavallin BBP base with pad	Flexx & Semi Flexx base (visually  identical) Identified by "F" and "SF" on tag under stirrup rings.	Standard Ghost base (also visually  identical to Semi Flexx). Identified by ST on tag under stirrup rings.

The Arabo option is identified with an "A" on the tag which also has the saddle base order number.

Panel Considerations
Can be ordered here
Ghost offers Closed and Velcro opening panels. The Closed panels might have a more classic look for showing but I find them stiff and since I can't shim them, I never order for my inventory. I have a couple in stock for someone who really wants to see them.

For the Velcro opening, there are three options: the standard (which still has a good area for weight distribution, the XL, and what I call the XL-HipSaver.

The XL is an excellent choice for really wide horses where stability might be an issue, and also for really narrow horses with the same issue. Which has sort of meant they can work for most horses. But they can be a little wide visually for the show ring or rider preference and for some people, just too wide for their hip comfort.

So the XL-HipSaver panel is wider at the front and back for weight distribution, but has a narrower waist for rider comfort.

Historically, Ghost panels had 3 layer inserts. Formo - a thin, stiff material to aid in distributing weight along the length. 2cm dense foam - a composite foam that assists in weight distribution and maintains the same properties (tested) from 0 to 120 degrees F. The third layer is potentially optional and can be 1 or 2cm thick black foam. It's soft, flexible, less dense which can add a little more thickness for spine clearance or softness for "bonier" horses and kind of just feels good in the hands. But it will squish and require the rider to additionally check girth tightness after mounting and for a light rider, keeps them a little perched, especially in a new saddle.

A (very) rough guideline is:
2cm black (thick) for riders over 185#, those riding horses with more prominent spines, or jumping, I don't recommend unless you know you need it
1cm black (standard) for most riders, most activities, most horses, it's also standard on the XL panels since the contact area is greater
no black (thin) for riders under 130#, lower impact activities, horses with good muscling/flesh, I prefer the XL or XL-HipSaver for this option and if you are on the edge of suitability I recommend testing spine clearance while riding either by running a double knotted baling twine between the panels or running a crop between the panels.

XL (top) Standard width (bottom)	Closed (left) Velcro opening (right)	XL-HipSaver