Mattes... Le mieux.. Christ lamfelle!?!

[VScall]

So I've had the saddle fitter out, my horse is only young so will be changing shape for the next couple years, current saddle not horrendous but I've beem told to buy a specific type of half pad.

The mattes fully lined correctional pad with 4 pockets. These are £200 which i will happily pay if i need to but thought id look for some advice on half pads in general.
How do le mieux, christ lammfelle etc all compare to Mattes? Are Mattes worth the price tag?
I need one that is lined and has front and rear shim pockets for ultimate adjustability.

 

[Alibear]

Sbloom is the expert on this one, but from my expireince yes you get what you pay for and order of preference is mattes, christ lamfelle and then le mieux further down the list.

 

[Tiddlypom]

I've got a Mattes 4 pocket saddle pad and also a similar Mattes numnah. The quality is excellent, and the thin felt shims can be layered up or down to produce just the right amount of padding. Very spendy, but worth it.

No experience of Christ Lammfelle. Lemieux is overpriced tat.

 

[bouncing_ball]

Avoid Lemieux
Mattes come up secondhand.

 

[catkin]

Christ Lamfelle is lovely sheepskin but Mattes better shaped and the shims are good. You do get what you pay for - being a young horse then an adjustable pad is often a very useful item to have around for years, I'd just hang onto it.
Was extremely disappointed with Lemieux pad it was a shocker, unfit for the job - the sheepskin had a seam right across it!!!!

 

[Ratface]

I can fully recommend the Christ Lammfelle sheepskin riding pad. I have used one on two Arabians (one a tall Old English/Polish chap and the other a short-coupled purebred Crabbet). I've also used the same saddle on an Exmoor pony and a Thoroughbred, whilst schooling/hacking. All these had/have sharp behaviour and teleporting/airs above the ground skills.
The quality of the sheepskin is excellent. I've had the riding pad for 20+ years and machine washed it at least three times a year. Still in perfect shape and condition. It also has a handy Jesus handle in front of the pommel. I always have a little finger tucked under it!

 

[[153312]]

Was extremely disappointed with Lemieux pad it was a shocker, unfit for the job - the sheepskin had a seam right across it!!!!

a lot of le mieux products do unfortunately, really annoying considering the price tag

 

[milliepops]

the mattes shims are great, but you can also buy them separately. atm i have a LM 6 pocket pad and use Mattes shims in it. I think it helps if you can see LM things in person to assess them rather than buy mail order, some examples are better than others - the one that came with my loan horse is one of the less great examples but I am pleased with my own.

 

[milliepops]

I agree mattes pads are tip top quality, i had a correctional saddlepad but sold it when the horse it was for retired.

 

[Spotherisk]

Mattes are excellent, from their basic cloth type numnah to the full sheepskin. They do come up secondhand and wash very well - I have a basic one which is about 20 years old and the only problem is that it’s faded!

 

[VScall]

Sbloom is the expert on this one, but from my expireince yes you get what you pay for and order of preference is mattes, christ lamfelle and then le mieux further down the list.

Thank you thats a very helpful response.
I did think that was the case but thought it would be no harm to pop a post up.

 

[VScall]

Christ Lamfelle is lovely sheepskin but Mattes better shaped and the shims are good. You do get what you pay for - being a young horse then an adjustable pad is often a very useful item to have around for years, I'd just hang onto it.
Was extremely disappointed with Lemieux pad it was a shocker, unfit for the job - the sheepskin had a seam right across it!!!!

Very helpful reponse thank you.
Replies are pretty much what i thought they would be which is great.
Just justifying spending the dosh, which i most certainly will be now.

 

[VScall]

Avoid Lemieux
Mattes come up secondhand.

I thought this..

Ive looked everywhere for second hand of the size etc that i need and only one has popped up which is very worn and i dare not risk it, especially as its only £70 cheaper than brand new.

 

[criso]

I have the Christ Lammfelle but no correction. My saddle is fitted with a prolite pad and use that with all the different saddlecloths I have. Mattes are lovely but comparing the one my saddle fitter had for sale, it felt rougher than my Christ which is so soft.

Bought in a sale, it's over 10 years old, washes well and is like new.

 

[bouncing_ball]

I thought this..

Ive looked everywhere for second hand of the size etc that i need and only one has popped up which is very worn and i dare not risk it, especially as its only £70 cheaper than brand new.

The other issue with buying new is the delay, I think typically have to wait 6?weeks. Unless you’ve found somewhere with what you want in stock.

I’ve always been lucky with eBay or Facebook market place.

 

[VScall]

The other issue with buying new is the delay, I think typically have to wait 6?weeks. Unless you’ve found somewhere with what you want in stock.

I’ve always been lucky with eBay or Facebook market place.

My fitter has popped one aside for me.
I'm in no major rush as focusing on inhand showing at the moment to get DD some experience out and about.
Going to give it a week or so of checking second hand and go from there i think.

 

[sbloom]

Yep, I recommend and stock Mattes, nothing else comes close in terms of sheepskin, and their correction system. Great shape and quality of manufacture too.

I run this group on FB, it's not super busy but there is some trade done on there - https://www.facebook.com/groups/249099556465914