Mattes VS Stubben Streamline Correction Half Pads

[equidstar11]

Hi!

I currently use a Stubben streamline half lined lamb skin/wool saddle pad which I like, but I’m looking to move to a half pad with shims for some correction options.

Having never felt a mattes up in real life, are they worth the extra cost?

Thanks

 

[Bobthecob15]

Hi!

I currently use a Stubben streamline half lined lamb skin/wool saddle pad which I like, but I’m looking to move to a half pad with shims for some correction options.

Having never felt a mattes up in real life, are they worth the extra cost?

Thanks

We used one for a while, I didn’t think it was any better than other brands to be honest!

 

[Irish-Only]

I love my Mattes numnahs.

 

[sbloom]

They are pretty much the best IMO, whether that is worth the difference to you I don't know. They're the only ones I know of where you have such a vast collection of styles (matters less if you just want a half pad) and can build a custom pad with an array of colours to choose from for each component (again may not matter to you).

 

[equidstar11]

I’m thinking of moving back to foam panels (flair mk2) rather than the full flair as I’m convinced horse doesn’t like all the movement in the air, to be honest he wouldn’t move forward at all in the trial of the saddle and I was just thinking it was because it was different, but having had plenty of time to adjust, he’s still not forward.

So of course I’m looking to add some back protection back in, with the options for shims for his small amount of asymmetry which I’d rather use shims for than adjust the air balance really, after doing more reading it seems it’s better to have a symmetrical saddle and shim the difference but open to corrections here from fitters!

I did buy a Winderen SLIM comfort half pad, which is 1cm thick so not massive, I did find it pretty thick still to sit on, but this was under the air panels so it may be better under foam if thinner.

However I know Sbloom, yourself and other fitters regularly praise mattes / proper sheepskin in place of tech half pads.

 

[equidstar11]

They are pretty much the best IMO, whether that is worth the difference to you I don't know. They're the only ones I know of where you have such a vast collection of styles (matters less if you just want a half pad) and can build a custom pad with an array of colours to choose from for each component (again may not matter to you).

Would you say there is more benefit in buying a full pad, where the sheepskin is against the skin, rather than a half Pad that is used on top of a correctly shaped cotton pad?

Obviously a half pad is convenient to use between horses, stays cleaner so less wool washing etc, but does add 1 more layer of bulk in a cotton pad.

 

[criso]

They are nice but when I compared my Christ one to a Mattes pad, I found the Mattes slightly rougher. However see the convenience of having integrated shims.

My LM saddle was fitted with shims so I use a prolite pad under the saddle and then either a half lined Christ saddle cloth or a HKM gently cloth against the skin.

 

[LillyTheCat]

I’ve tried a variety of half pads and there is a noticeable difference with the mattes sheepskin. I do have a particularly sensitive/opinionated beast but I wouldn’t use anything else now. I don’t need to shim for fit but the sheepskin is a class above the others

 

[equidstar11]

Can anyone comment on the sizing? I quite fancy the sheepskin lined with the full wither and back rolls too, for a 17” saddle is a large best to make sure it doesn’t sit on the rolls?

 

[sbloom]

Would you say there is more benefit in buying a full pad, where the sheepskin is against the skin, rather than a half Pad that is used on top of a correctly shaped cotton pad?

Absolutely, I would always recommend a half lined numnah or pad, sheepskin keeps the back cooler and drier.

Can anyone comment on the sizing? I quite fancy the sheepskin lined with the full wither and back rolls too, for a 17” saddle is a large best to make sure it doesn’t sit on the rolls?

Sizing is on the configurator, allow up to 2" for each trim. You'll also find sizing charts in the featured posts of Buy and Sell Mattes UK group that I mod on FB. It's for second hand sales and discussion.

You need to measure how much space your saddle takes up on a pad on the horse's back or even on the back of the sofa etc and calculate from there.

I'd also recommend considering adding pockets when you're spending this much, you never know when they might come in handy.

 

[equidstar11]

Absolutely, I would always recommend a half lined numnah or pad, sheepskin keeps the back cooler and drier.



Sizing is on the configurator, allow up to 2" for each trim. You'll also find sizing charts in the featured posts of Buy and Sell Mattes UK group that I mod on FB. It's for second hand sales and discussion.

You need to measure how much space your saddle takes up on a pad on the horse's back or even on the back of the sofa etc and calculate from there.

I'd also recommend considering adding pockets when you're spending this much, you never know when they might come in handy.

I’ve just managed to get a half pad (brand new) with 4 pockets and shims in large with sheepskin lining & trim, fingers crossed it’ll fit the bigger of the two saddles well.

For the other, I may well end up buying a full pad for daily use instead of the half pad, and add the shims on that too.

Thanks

 

[equidstar11]

I managed to grab 1 fully lined mattes half pad, but for the other saddle I don’t want so much bulk as a cotton pad AND lambskin/wool half pad, so I do have a large square Stubben lambskin lined adjuster/4 pocket shim saddle pad arriving also.

Does anyone have an opinion on Foam vs Felt shims?

The Stubben comes with 7mm foam, the mattes 5mm felt (in multiples) I believe.

Is the felt better than foam?

Using it to pad for asymmetry and some old saddle damage from short tree points (if only I’d done more research sooner…).

 

[sbloom]

I managed to grab 1 fully lined mattes half pad, but for the other saddle I don’t want so much bulk as a cotton pad AND lambskin/wool half pad, so I do have a large square Stubben lambskin lined adjuster/4 pocket shim saddle pad arriving also.

Does anyone have an opinion on Foam vs Felt shims?

The Stubben comes with 7mm foam, the mattes 5mm felt (in multiples) I believe.

Is the felt better than foam?

Using it to pad for asymmetry and some old saddle damage from short tree points (if only I’d done more research sooner…).

It depends on the exact materials and your needs. The felt is thinner and replaceable so good for trimming to fit the exact contours of the back (I seldom use the shims unadulterated), it's stable and breathable. Foams - less easily replaced, yours is that bit thicker too, and no idea it's physical properties. Arguably horses that need to build back muscle might want softer shims but the sheepskin does that job to an extent anyway.