Polypads - Opinions Please

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CastleMouse

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Just wondering what people on here who use them think of them, as I was thinking of buying one for using for hunter trials (I already have far too many saddle cloths and numnahs already but I really would love a Polypad
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). Which is the best type to get? The Classic, Forma, Performer, Universal, Pod or Butterfly? And what do you think of the Horseware Ireland and Shires ones which are similar?
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I am prob the only person who will answer that really dislikes Polypads
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I have seen them move and shift so often, and they are so thick, that personally I would never use one! However, thousands of people love them so I am possibly just being v stuffy!
 
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I am prob the only person who will answer that really dislikes Polypads
crazy.gif
I have seen them move and shift so often, and they are so thick, that personally I would never use one! However, thousands of people love them so I am possibly just being v stuffy!

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Second that! I hate them, they move so much. In a hours lesson I had to dismount and redo the saddle 3 times as the polypad had slipped back under the saddle. Not fun on a 17hh horse in a dressage saddle.
 
I'm with you Weezy. If your saddle fits, I'm inclined to think a polypad would make it a bit tight. They are so thick.

I have one, a black one. Was bought for me when I had my first horse. I never use it. Don't like how you can't secure them in the girth straps like normal nunmahs/saddle cloths. (That's assuming they still don't have any fixing on them....not seen any recently)
 
agree, if your saddle fits correctly this will be too bulky underneath and be a bit too snug, personal choice though, lots of people rate them
 
I have got the slightly thinner one (Proforma) and love it to bits. It never slips but then I pull it right up into the pommel of my saddle. I have a broad Welsh and have no probs. I agree with the comments about trying to mask a badly fitting saddle with one but just think they have unfortunately got a reputation for being used as such because they are a universal fit and thicker...not necessary because that is what they are made for because they are not.
They are not exactly expensive so it might be worth a try but do pull it right up into the pommel...
 
Maybe I'm the only person that likes them! I've never had them slip, even on my old pony whose saddle slipped with everything else including non-slip pads. My only critisism is that they're a bit too thick when it's really hot in the summer, and I have the thinnest one, I think the others are too thick.
 
I use one with my treeless, the pod one and its really good - no sliding and stays well up in the gullet. I used a square one under my treed saddle, but I haven't got a clue why I did because it probably made his saddle too tight! Tried the square one under my treeless but it kept tightening over his withers and sliding back. I would watch if you're wanting to use it for xc, you don't want to get halfway round the course and find its slipping out from under you!
 
Really dont like them. Used to use them alt, but just dont stay put under my jump saddle, and I prefer a nice sqare for my dressage saddle. A well fitting saddle shouldnt need anyting so thick in the first place.
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I use them as my horse has a very sensitive back and although his saddle fit very well it absorbs any slight movement or concussion that may occur. My saddler approves of me using it on my horse and does not think it makes the saddle tight as it lifts the whole thing up (if you know what I mean) so would not make any place tight. I have the medium thickness ones. They have never slipped.

I agree my only critism is he gets very hot under it in the summer.
 
I dont really like them either! i bought one and it slipped back all the time! the only time i use it is one my new pony who is a bit thin so it gives her back more cushioning!
Wouldnt rate them highly!!
 
I think they have there uses. I used one on my 26 year old pony as we could not find a saddle to fit him. However if you have a well fitted saddle then don't bother. All saddlers say that if your saddle fits all you need is a thin nummnah to keep your saddle clean.
 
I agree with you Weezy! I hate riding in them, I cannot feel the horse beneath me as they are way too thick and slide all over the place. Not a fan at all!
 
Agree with the others, i hate them. They're far too thick for my liking and just causes an otherwise good fitting saddle to not fit correctly
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Although I have (as someone else mentioned) used one under a roller to lunge.

Other than that - nasty horrid things :P
 
We have to use poly pad's on everything at college. On some of the horses they're fine but on others they really slip back and you have to keep getting off undoing everything and re-setting them which is a bugger.
 
I don't like them, they slip and get too hot and if you really feel them they don't provide much protection to their backs at all (squish them between your themb and forefinger and you can feel through them so they are hardly going to stop a saddle being felt!) Only use one doubled up under my roller when lungeing etc. For anyone looking for extra protection under their saddle go with a prolite or a real sheepskin numnah or kavalkade (similar to prolite). I have a horse with a very boney back (he's TB) but he likes all of these under his saddle xx
 
My previous (very good, internationally respected, but too far away from here) saddler, was of the opinion that if you need something as thick as a Polypad, your saddle doesn't fit, and if your saddle *does* fit, and you use something as thick as a Polypad, you'll wreck your horse...
 
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I am prob the only person who will answer that really dislikes Polypads
crazy.gif
I have seen them move and shift so often, and they are so thick, that personally I would never use one! However, thousands of people love them so I am possibly just being v stuffy!

[/ QUOTE ]

agree - hate them
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I don't like them either, I have one which I got off e-bay, used it once didn't like it. It makes a very good dog bed blanket!
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Ive always thought they looked nice, thats about it - they are too bulky for my liking and too hot! Prefer a nice plain thin one myself - or my fleecy half pad x
 
Just to be the odd man out - I like them!

Did hate them as they moved around, but since I got WOW saddles which do not move neither does the poly pad. So just to make you all paranoid - if you poly pad slips back does you saddle move too much anyway???

Mine are really old poly pads (bought in late 90's), so are relatively thin. I use them at the moment as my horses are fully clipped on the back. I will probably go to something thinner when they have their summer coats.
 
Something about the polypads which makes them a bit fixed in their shape, however I love my Rambo pad which is much more flexible/softer material and never slips!
 
Personally don't like them. If you have awell fitted saddle you shouldn't need a big pad bulking it up underneath. This will just make a well fitting saddle not fit!
 
i use only them,the thinner style.never moves,shows no sign of wear even though used every other day.also washes really well and drys quick.no fiddley straps just wash an go.
 
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