Equitex or other pad for treeless saddle?

Kirstineridesagain

Kirstineridesagain

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I'm buying a treeless Icelandic saddle (Diddi Special) for my new Icelandic horse. It's secondhand and from an acquaintance so very cheap. I'll eventually get a "proper" saddle (unless I'm really happy with it), it's just to start us off with some gentle hacking (she's in foal). But wondering if it's worth splashing out on a really good saddle pad. If not the Equitex, any other that people recommend? Happy to spend a bit, but the Equitex is very expensive so wondering if it's worth it.
 
As it has a channel you may be ok with an ordinary well cushioned ordinary numnah for light work depending on your weight. If it needs shimming to balance it on your horse you will need a shimmable saddle pad. The safest option is a proper treeless pad like the Barefoot or Lamefelle ones but they are expensive. It is a good idea to have the horse's back checked regularly when using a treeless anyway to make sure the saddle is not doing any damage.

Edited to add: if your horse has a wide spine and shoulders a treeless with a channel can be problematic after an initial ok period so watch him for any signs of discomfort creeping in after a few weeks.
 
I probably didn't make it clear, but it is a "proper" saddle. It's not being made anymore, it was designed by one of the top Icelandic riders (Diddi Bardarson). But as you say, it will depend on how it fits.

Are there other brands that do roughly the same as the Equitex?
 
Kirstineridesagain said:
I probably didn't make it clear, but it is a "proper" saddle. It's not being made anymore, it was designed by one of the top Icelandic riders (Diddi Bardarson). But as you say, it will depend on how it fits.

Are there other brands that do roughly the same as the Equitex?
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I have seen it. The underneath looks very much like that of the Solution saddles which I have used and which do not require a treeless pad. There is however no guarantee these types of saddles are going to fit your horse. They usually require shimming to sit right on the horse and the lack of width in the channel can be a problem. Can you not find out from the seller what they used under it?
 
planete said:
I have seen it. The underneath looks very much like that of the Solution saddles which I have used and which do not require a treeless pad. There is however no guarantee these types of saddles are going to fit your horse. They usually require shimming to sit right on the horse and the lack of width in the channel can be a problem. Can you not find out from the seller what they used under it?
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Yes, good point. I'll ask her.
 
Sorry but I wouldn't put that anywhere near my horses backs they are not saddles, I definitely wouldn't use on a mare in foal.

I'm a light person 8.5 stone and wouldn't feel comfortable using that on any horse.
 
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