Let's talk about saddle pads for adults

[The-Bookworm]

Came across one of these on ebay. The one listed is £200 less probably because it's plain leather and used.

https://heritagesaddlery.co.uk/product/the-all-new-heritage-faith-saddle-pads/


So this made me think, who uses similar?
Are they good with weight distribution?
Do they stay in place?
Are they really just for the show ring?
Would you/ do you still pop a treeless pad underneath?

I have two treeless, Sensation and Freeform. But I like having a nosey.

 

[Shay]

Does that have a bar for stirrups? I really don't like saddle pads which appear to suggest a stirrup is OK. You need the weight of a tree - or specially designed treeless saddle - to distribute the rider weight. Putting stirrups directly onto a simple pad will put pressure on the back.

I love saddle pads - but not with stirrups!

 

[MiJodsR2BlinkinTite]

Mmmm........ I'm looking at the "testimonial". Supposed from a person living in the UK (Wales). The English and syntax would lead me to suggest that the person who's written this maybe doesn't have English as their first language. Not that this is a problem, maybe it is just plain bad grammar and way of putting things, but that would make me a tad suspicious.

Looking at the actual item: my first treeless saddle was a Libra, and very much like this one. I always used a treeless saddle pad underneath it. This is ESSENTIAL with any treeless saddle as the horse's back will need protection from where the stirrup bars sit.

I just had a quick poke on the website; but if I was buying this saddle - and it isn't cheap (and this is just the saddle NOT a pad as well!) - I would want to know a lot more about who makes this saddle and also WHERE it is made (like, India???).

Personally I wouldn't purchase this saddle, but that's just my opinion.

Frankly, if you look on e-bay or elsewhere, you should be able to pick up a nice little second-hand treeless saddle which is a well-known make like Barefoot or Torsion (AND the pad with it, if you're lucky), for the same price.

 

[Greyhorse1]

I had a thorn pad and hated it.

It slipped as badly as the saddle and there was a lot of pressure over the wither area of the pony when the pad was in place. So tight you couldn’t get a hand under it. Despite being so tight it was impossible to mount from the ground as it would end up slipping off completely.
My pony is very round and has a table for a back but it still rubbed over the back of the withers. It also left indents under the stirrup bars.
I am a lightweight rider and used the correct pads underneath. I also tried using thick sheepskin, gel pads and shims to lift it which made it slip worse.
It was also awful to ride in, my pony is difficult and here’s nothing to help you out. I ended up on her neck more than once.

It was sold within a month!

 

[ycbm]

That Heritage company is Matt Marlow, based in Stockport, who makes/has made for him, good quality stuff from good quality leather. The company has a poor reputation for after sales service, which I have experienced myself.

There are also Heritage branded bridles from a different company which used to be sold on eBay, which are Asian, cheap, and good quality for their price.

 

[The-Bookworm]

Does that have a bar for stirrups? I really don't like saddle pads which appear to suggest a stirrup is OK. You need the weight of a tree - or specially designed treeless saddle - to distribute the rider weight. Putting stirrups directly onto a simple pad will put pressure on the back.

I love saddle pads - but not with stirrups!

Yes if you look at the photos.
It's possibly a pad/ treeless saddle hybrid type of thing.

My bareback pad hasn't got stirrups.