Gel pad for veteran losing topline

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brightmount

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The saddle fitter came out today, and to his credit, didn't try to sell me an expensive saddle or modification, but pointed out that my horse is really showing her age now in her topline (she dropped a lot of weight last winter), and her ridden days may be numbered. In the meantime, he recommended a good gel pad to fill in the hollows under her withers and raise the pommel. She has very high withers like a camel! At present there is very little clearance, though the sheepskin half-numnah is a big help.

Can anyone recommend a really good gel pad that would be worth the investment? I can see there are lots on the market, right up to the £100 mark, but I haven't heard any feedback on whether the more expensive ones are a lot better. It's the front end of the pad where I need the padding. I want to do the best for my old girl.
 
I have a gel-eze one and love it but it is same thickness all the way across, I have seen these on the horse health stand http
//www.horsehealth.co.uk/horse-equipment/gel-non-slip-pads/acavallo-gel-front-and-rear-risers

They look fab, they might be worth a ring and a chat, they are really helpful??

Good LucK
 
I really like the look of the Le Mieux numnahs, they have pockets in to allow you to adjust the padding under the saddle as your horse changes shape. I understand they have recently developed a new shock absorbing foam, i know www.saddledoctors.co.uk sell them and are usually very good with their advice. :)
 
Allover said:
I really like the look of the Le Mieux numnahs, they have pockets in to allow you to adjust the padding under the saddle as your horse changes shape. I understand they have recently developed a new shock absorbing foam, i know www.saddledoctors.co.uk sell them and are usually very good with their advice. :)
Click to expand...

I have one of these and they are very good, I'd recommend them. I also have prolite which does the job, but prefer the adjustment with the Le Mieux.
 
I have used gel-eze which are excellent.

I have a v high withered horse who has had weight probs in the past and I used a thorowgood saddle for high wither with changeable gullet. I only mention because they seem to be going dirt cheap on eBay... You may find one for under that £100! They really aren't bad saddles. - I evented in mine and even did quite well in it!! :D

Also am sure you have her teeth checked every 6 months - In case her teeth are restricting her ability to eat and keep topline. Also might be really worth looking at her diet. My 34yo managed to gain weight in the -26 temps we had last winter as I moved him on to a hay replacement diet. I know a very good independent nutritionist - PM me if you'd like details!
 
Any from the gel eze range, they do a half pad with blue gel on the pressure points, or I also like the prolite range, I use the all in one saddle cloth bout £65, but I do fancy one of the gel eze ones
 
Thanks HB & NG. Useful to know you both recommend the gel-eze products. HB, her teeth get checked and rasped at the annual service, but I will get an extra check done. She is wormed and worm-counted regularly. I'm waiting to hear back from a nutritionist, but she was on Blue Chip all through last winter and it didn't have any effect. She looked awful in spring, but actually with her summer coat she does look in lovely condition and is moving nicely, but she doesn't have any spare so I need to work on that before the cold weather arrives. I don't usually use heavyweight rugs since I'm in the south, but may go up a weight this year.
 
I do find my old guy needs teeth done every 6 months, so that could help. The best thing for mine feed wise is anything high fibre. A&p fast fibre seems to have the highest fibre of anything on the Market. When their teeth aren't so good they dint rend tongetveniygh fibre from grass, hay etc. It might be worth adding a scoop per day of ff in addition to her usual feed. Mine alsO adores soaked grass nuts!! V cheap and seemingly yummy!! :D
 
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