Anti-slip gel pad - odd reaction?

joolie

joolie

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As an iterim measure until my saddler can come out (middle Feb :() I have borrowed a thin Gel-Eze anti slip pad to use on my Connie x. Saddle is slipping only ever so slightly when schooling, mainly in canter. I schooled him in it last Friday, my instructor schooled him for me Monday. Both days he was fine. Hacked Wed minus gel pad, again fine.

Today however was a disaster! Tight tense horse who kept randomly hollowing and tanking off with me (dangerously at full pelt) in the arena. He can be a little sharp but never to this degree. He's normally soft and willing just quite 'switched on'. I couldn't make out anything that would be spooking him. After trying to calm him with no luck I dismounted feeling a bit shaken and lunged him. All fine, back to normal relaxed horse. I removed the gel pad, got back on and did a couple of quiet laps in walk in the ménage before calling it a day and ending on a calm note.

I'm utterly confused/upset! Could a pad like this cause such a reaction? He's a sensitive chap but normally quite willing. I have a lesson tomorrow and I'm actually quite worried about getting on again! :eek:
 
My mare had a similar reaction, she was fine to start and then started to object. I never managed to work out what the problem was but I had a theory that it caught on her fur and that was what upset her. I couldn't prove it though. I gave up with it in the end.
 
Thanks both - he has a chaser clip so saddle area is very native fluffy! I guess I just find it odd that he has managed 2 schooling sessions with it fine but has had a meltdown today. It will obviously be removed for tomorrow's lesson so I'm keeping everything crossed that all's back to normal.
 
He might have tolerated it on the first couple of occasions and now he may be more sensitive. Its just a guess really but you could try having it between and saddle pad and the saddle instead, although it wouldn't help with the slipping issue.
 
I refuse to put an anti slip pad directly on the horse having seen the discomfort it can cause and only use mine between the saddle and numnah - does the same job but the horses doesn't feel any discomfort.
 
The one time I tried a gel pad on my tb he took off up the drive way, bucking like a rodeo horse...
Once he had been caught, and the saddle removed, the gel pad went back to the shop. Haven't had a problem again since, so yes, I think a gel pad can cause an extreme reaction.
Kx
 
Thanks all - hopefully he will be fine without it on tomorrow. Feeling a bit like a bad mum at the moment though! Always a worry when they start acting out if character.
 
yes - they can cause this reaction. Was it colder today? i.e. if the hair was sitting up more it may have caught more than on the first couple of times?
 
It could be but that the combined thickness of the gel pad over the entire bearing surface of the horse's back could be just enough to make it a tight fit,even thin ones and that can make them react. If you have a numnah or saddle pad on as well (some do) then that adds to the layers too and therefore the thickness.

Or it could be your horse just doesn't like the feel of it.
 
He was schooled with it on last Fri and Mon without issue, was probably colder this morning (definitely more breezy). I have used a saddlecloth over it as well as the saddle. I guess I'm really hoping that was the reason and I have a normal pony back tomorrow as being charged around with at full pelt wasn't much fun! Good to know that others have experienced a less than desirable reaction anyway.
 
Think the problem with these gel pads is that firstly they are cold when first put on the horse's back, which they hate with a vengeance.

Then there is the problem of the fact that because they are sticky, they stick to the hair on the back and the friction of the saddle against this must be incredibly uncomfortable.

Try a light sheepskin numnah such as a Nuumed half-sheepskin one? They're nice and light.
 
Thanks - I'll see what else I can try in the meantime until the saddler is out. Filled with trepidation about getting back on again - he's a sensitive soul so if it was/is the gel pad causing him to be uncomfortable then I hope he won't associate it with being in the ménage tomorrow!
 
Any chance the gel pad was pulling on the withers or even creased? I always use mine over a numnah never on the fur as the can easily become tight over the withers.
 
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