Bareback pads

[smolmaus]

Looking for some wisdom!

We have a little welsh pony mare at the rescue who came in recently and who is VERY chunky. She had been left in a field to her own devices for a very long time (judging by the state of her feet) and has ended up with a hyoooooge crest and she's basically a barrel. Seems to have gotten away without laminitis miraculously and her feet have been sorted as best they can be but obviously we are keen to get the weight off her. We would like to get her hacking around the roads for some extra exercise and to make it easier for her to find a home but none of our (donated) saddles come anywhere close to fitting. A bareback pad was suggested as an alternative that would be more affordable and could maybe then be used for other ponies more easily.

I know very little about pads or how to go about sizing them but said I would do some research. If it's a silly suggestion we can continue to walk her out in hand of course but any advice appreciated!

Video of her from the FB page

Spoiler

https://fb.watch/7i1tZ4AxJR/

 

[MuddyMonster]

I use a Best Friends pad.

Personally, I'd avoid any that you attach stirrups to as I'm not convinced by the weight distribution/pressure points - but that might be problematic if riding on roads?

You could look at the HM Thorn pad or TCS saddle, they might work?

 

[smolmaus]

I use a Best Friends pad.

Personally, I'd avoid any that you attach stirrups to as I'm not convinced by the weight distribution/pressure points - but that might be problematic if riding on roads?

You could look at the HM Thorn pad or TCS saddle, they might work?

Yeah the stirrups would be preferable on the roads. It would either be me riding her and I would be happy enough without them (not very far to slide off little Gwyn) but I am heavier than the other person who would maybe not be confident enough to go without.

Both the TCS and the Thorn look like decent options and probably fund-raise-able price points if we catch people on a good day. Will have to see if there is a second hand market for either of them. Thank you!

 

[Errin Paddywack]

Back in the good old days we would just have used a felt pad saddle with a good thick numnah under it on a pony like that. We used one my sister's 12hh welsh for most of his long life, hunted in it as well. Still have one somewhere.
Very pretty pony but what a neck, rest of her didn't look too bad from what little I could see.

 

[MuddyMonster]

I see both fairly regularly on FB groups - there's a few treeless saddle group & a HM specific group I think. If you can't find them, drop me a PM as can probably work out how to add you
.

 

[cauda equina]

I have 2:
a Barefoot pad - no option for stirrups but (relatively) inexpensive
and a Christ lammfelle sheepskin saddle - more expensive and more saddle-like, can be used with stirrups

Both are comfortable for me and the horse. I prefer the Christ but it's about 3 times the price new

 

[WelshHoarder]

We’ve got a Shires Avimore pony pad as a backup for baby Welshie for those youngster moments in between saddler appointments when nothing else decides to fit - son used it a fair bit around Christmas with and without stirrups over a thick poly pad type cloth and she seemed pretty comfortable. It also had the bonus side effect of sorting out his slightly wonky seat ?. Think it was only about £70 as well. Pretty sure this is one of the set ups used by Kizzy & Ettie’s Pony Adventures on FB and it seems to work for them

 

[smolmaus]

I see both fairly regularly on FB groups - there's a few treeless saddle group & a HM specific group I think. If you can't find them, drop me a PM as can probably work out how to add you
.

TY! I will if I have any trouble We are in NI so usually there isn't the same quantity of second hard saddles moving around as mainland UK but I will take a look anyway.

I have 2:
a Barefoot pad - no option for stirrups but (relatively) inexpensive
and a Christ lammfelle sheepskin saddle - more expensive and more saddle-like, can be used with stirrup

Both are comfortable for me and the horse. I prefer the Christ but it's about 3 times the price new

That sheepskin looks absolutely beautiful! It would have to be locked in a safe to keep it that way though ? hard-wearing and not too precious is going to need to be a consideration!

We’ve got a Shires Avimore pony pad as a backup for baby Welshie for those youngster moments in between saddler appointments when nothing else decides to fit - son used it a fair bit around Christmas with and without stirrups over a thick poly pad type cloth and she seemed pretty comfortable. It also had the bonus side effect of sorting out his slightly wonky seat ?. Think it was only about £70 as well. Pretty sure this is one of the set ups used by Kizzy & Ettie’s Pony Adventures on FB and it seems to work for them

Love a Shires bargain. Will definitely add that to the list! I wonder though if it only comes in one size would it fit the small adult (but still adult) human behinds. Our only tiny rider (staff member's daughter) is all of 3 years old and though her seat is almost certainly as good if not better than mine we won't be asking her to do the bulk of the fitness work lol

 

[smolmaus]

Back in the good old days we would just have used a felt pad saddle with a good thick numnah under it on a pony like that. We used one my sister's 12hh welsh for most of his long life, hunted in it as well. Still have one somewhere.
Very pretty pony but what a neck, rest of her didn't look too bad from what little I could see.

She is a lovely wee thing and such a sweetheart. The rest of her has slimmed down a bit already tbh just with not being on grass 24/7 and some in hand pootles about but the neck is not shifting!

 

[SEL]

I bought a fatty back into work with a buck you bareback pad. You can attach stirrups (I used safety stirrups because there's no release) but I was only walking at that stage. Did roll a bit and i couldn't mount from the ground without pulling it over.

 

[Zuzan]

Is a Barefoot Cheyenne Drytex Pony within price range? the Barefoot saddles have a good reputation. There are probably 2nd hand ones to be had on ebay etc..

 

[Fran'sMum]

I have a one that my daughter used on a 13.2 New Forest. It's 16" from front to back but doesn't have stirrups. I would be more than happy to donate it if you think you could make use of it.

 

[Tarragon]

I think that there can be an issue with the pressure points caused by the stirrup bars, but if you are not doing too much trotting, I think you will be fine. I use a cheyenne barefoot, which I love as a spare saddle

 

[smolmaus]

I have a one that my daughter used on a 13.2 New Forest. It's 16" from front to back but doesn't have stirrups. I would be more than happy to donate it if you think you could make use of it.

Tysm! If you're in Northern Ireland I would love to have a lend even!

Is a Barefoot Cheyenne Drytex Pony within price range? the Barefoot saddles have a good reputation. There are probably 2nd hand ones to be had on ebay etc..

New would probably be taking the p a little bit but I will add that to the list to look for second hand! It does look like a lovely one.

This is all going into a little document to give to the sanctuary owner and she can make the decision with which way to go. Shes v old school so has farmed out the research on new fangled equipment lol

 

[Fran'sMum]

I'm in London but can post it tomorrow. It's only sitting unused in a box and we definitely won't be needing it again so if it doesn't work out with this pony maybe it will with another. Can you send me the address. I'm a long time reader but haven't posted much so I'm not sure about pm's.

 

[millikins]

Could she do ride and lead? At least until enough weight is off to fit a saddle.

 

[smolmaus]

I'm in London but can post it tomorrow. It's only sitting unused in a box and we definitely won't be needing it again so if it doesn't work out with this pony maybe it will with another. Can you send me the address. I'm a long time reader but haven't posted much so I'm not sure about pm's.

Thank you so much for the kind offer that is so generous but I couldn't ask you to post it all that way! You could see if a rescue more local to you could use it, I'm sure there is another little Gwynedd in the London area who could make excellent use of it ???

Could she do ride and lead? At least until enough weight is off to fit a saddle.

If we had another pony on the yard that was backed and sound then yes but uh... ?? well there is, but she has photosensitivity and has to wear a full coat and mask when she's outside the barn god love her. That is a possibility though, if the summer grass hasn't turned her into too much of a chunk as well.

 

[smolmaus]

Quick update: A package arrived for Gwynedd this morning at the Sanctuary. Fran'sMum is an absolute legend ❤❤❤

 

[Equi]

How very kind of her. I hope Gwynedd can put it to good use and she has a happy healthy future.

 

[Zuzan]

How lovely of FransMum .. but we definitely need pictures

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

We used to use felt pads to exercise the show ponies as the saddles were too small for us adults, they only had a quick 20 minutes a day in the school during the week we used pollypads underneath them and they had stirrups on them and we never had any problems with pressure points.

 

[MuddyMonster]

How lovely of @Fran'sMum ?

 

[smolmaus]

My friend reported back that Gwynedd needs a SHORTER girth next time (genuine shock) but the pad works and she went very well for a quick little spin round the barn! Quote: "She is a VERY forward pony, wow"

I will get pics on Sunday. Everyone at the yard is delighted. AND little Gwyn is now officially up for rehoming! This isn't usually a very quick process for us so she will still get good use of her present but being able to get her back into light work will make it so much easier for her to find a home and hopefully a little rider to fuss over her as she deserves. Very grateful to Fran'sMum.

 

[ArklePig]

I saw Gwyn on the rescues page today smolmaus what a lovely wee pony! She's going to make someone very happy.

 

[smolmaus]

I saw Gwyn on the rescues page today smolmaus what a lovely wee pony! She's going to make someone very happy.

She is! She's been with us such a short time but she became a yard favourite almost immediately. After being completely ignored in a field for so long she is ready to be someone's heart horse.