Can anyone recommend a decent gel pad?

[Garfield1537]

I have been using a sheepskin numed numnah under my saddle that works a treat, however my friend asked have I ever tried a gel pad as well as will help with shock absorbing, which has got me wondering how others have found them? My saddle fits fine. But always open to ideas to ensure my boy is comfy.

 

[BlackRider]

TBH if what you have works, then I'd leave it.

Although I use a numed sheepskin saddle pad which has an inbuilt gel pad too, which I love

 

[Garfield1537]

Thanks I will try the Numed with gel built in me thinks!

 

[PonyIAmNotFood]

Be wary as the more you put under your saddle the more narrow you make it, not comfy. You need it fitted with the numnah if you're going to use a padded one.

 

[sbloom]

As a fitter I always recommend natural fibres - wool is a very good shock absorber and actually gel compresses very easily, bottoms out, and provides no protection whatsoever. The modern more solid gels may be better than the old "tombstone" shaped pads but try pressing your fingers through the gel and see if you can feel them on the otherside, just a fingernail even. And they have been shown to cause heat build up, I have heard reports of even burns! They are usually sealed in plastic - wicking sheepskin and wool are MUCH better! Save your money

 

[becca1305]

I have an acavallo gel pad and love it. Its relatively thick (would pass the fingernail test i believe) without being chunky has good impact absorbtion and antislip properties. Its also mainly perforated to allow excess heat build up to escape. If your saddle stops fitting you can buy front/ rear riser attachments. Finally they do them with a little sheepskin runner at the front and round the back which I wish Id known about when I bought the plain one! *grump*. havent ever tried any others but i do rate this one. However i use it between the numnah & saddle for v sweaty work on sweaty horses eg XC as on my TB it slips however it is fine on my ISH who doesnt do white foam sweating in the same way as Mr. Excitable! I too also used to use a sheepskin wool halfpad but was a little worried it was too thick underneath a well fitting saddle.

 

[Goldenstar]

I think gel pads are always a bit heavy and bulky I love my memory foam pad( from Paul fielder dressage goggle it) If I only had one saddle pad I would keep this one.