Polypads what do people think???

N

NikNak1

Well-Known Member
Joined
7 October 2012
Messages
126
Visit site
Hi all! I have a monoflap dressage saddle and the saddlecloths I currently have often slip back as well as the girth straps not really attaching properly as there's no saddle flap. So I was considering getting a polypad to help resolve this and was wondering what people thought of them? I have had a couple years ago which were fine but heard mixed things since. Would there be any other similar pad people would recommend instead (preferably not too expensive!!)
Saddle has been fitted to the horse although it could probably do with being checked again (same problem happened when it was originally fitted too)
 
I went happily exercising one day and came back minus the poly pad never noticed so I would say it might Not solve your issue .
I have some le mieux saddle cloths that fit to the D's at the front of the saddle they are curved along the length and they stay in place very very well . You will find them on the horse health website £37 I think.
 
I use the premier equine saddle pads, they rarely move under any saddle, are not as bulky as the poly pads so fit well without altering the fit of a correctly fitting saddle, they are also cheaper!
 
I tend to find the polypads a bit too thick so they change the fit of the saddle.

Second the idea of using ones with straps that fasten to the dee rings - nuumed dressage numnahs have this too plus have a high wither cut which I need whereas polypads sit low on the withers so depends on the shape of your horse.
 
I would be getting your saddle checked..... A saddle cloth should not slip if the saddle fits correctly!

However just get dressage style long enough that your girth can go through the loops on the bottom of the pad!
 
Shooting Star said:
I tend to find the polypads a bit too thick so they change the fit of the saddle.

Second the idea of using ones with straps that fasten to the dee rings - nuumed dressage numnahs have this too plus have a high wither cut which I need whereas polypads sit low on the withers so depends on the shape of your horse.
Click to expand...
I use the nuumed ones that fasten on the d ring and they dont move.
 
Thanks all, le mieux saddlecloths do look nice. I like the look of their workpads too, has anyone got any experience of these?
 
I use Polypads in winter when condition drops a bit to maintain saddle fit. I also have a super thick one for under my dressage saddle is it needs padding up.

The old ones are fab, but the lining on the new ones can rub at the back of the saddle if you don't pull up properly.

None of my Polypads have slipped, however neither have my summer saddle cloths so could be a fitting problem.
 
Have had two polypads, one for each horse.

First one I sold because I didn't like the thickness of it.

Second one was only used because my horse had been on working livery and the yard where he was at had thought they were the dogs knobs and had used them. In reality it was hiding a badly fitting saddle issue, and I'd decided to remove the horse from there anyway, so ditched the polypad AND dealt with the saddle issues.

Don't like them. They're too thick, too unwieldy, and get damp very quickly if the horse sweats up at all.
 
I love my polypads and use them regularly - the key thing is to have your saddle fitted with them. However I'm a fan of a thicker pad to avoid lumps and bumps.

I also use them under stock saddles, military saddles and wow saddles. Not had any problems slipping. Although when playing polocrosse will occasionally need re-positioning after a hectic chukka. However everything slips back with those forces

I also have a roma pad, which due to being a bit short I attached D ring loops to keep it in place.
 
flyingfeet said:
I love my polypads and use them regularly - the key thing is to have your saddle fitted with them. However I'm a fan of a thicker pad to avoid lumps and bumps.

I also use them under stock saddles, military saddles and wow saddles. Not had any problems slipping. Although when playing polocrosse will occasionally need re-positioning after a hectic chukka. However everything slips back with those forces

I also have a roma pad, which due to being a bit short I attached D ring loops to keep it in place.
Click to expand...

This. I have mine fitted with them - he is still building muscle over his back, but when he had very little top line I was recommended polypads to lift the saddle up off his back - it was a good fit, but he had no muscle to hold it up. Over the summer, due to warmth under them, I switch to thin saddle sloth and a sheepskin half pad, but back to polypads in winter.
 
I love polypads and have a wide selection including some which are decades old. I would never use them to stop saddle slipping though. We have one horse who has really issues with the saddle slipping & he has a shires non slip numnah (I think) like a Barnsby one but cheaper, and a Pro choice girth which I love.
 
I find them crap. Used under a mono flap XC saddle, used to do my nut in as it constantly slipped down and back, pressing on the withers, no matter how much I lifted it up during riding. Sold it on eBay as I hated it so much!
 
I think it would kind of counteract the purpose of a monoflap saddle by adding the bulk of a polypad? Maybe something with a high wither cut may solve the problem, I always use one like that even on my roly poly pone, it fits up into the saddle gullet rather than the edges being pressed down onto the withers. I like the 'hy' ones, nice and cheap but quite nice, although attaching to the d rings does sound ideal if slipping is a big issue.
 
I used to make polypads into very snuggly greyhound coats, or beds :)

Never had one yet that would stay on straight under a saddle despite all manner of straps and fastenings.
 
I found on one horse they cause massive sweat patches, even in the middle of winter!
I don't know what your budget is but for no slip purposes and the benefit of your horse's back, Suber pads are just amazing. I never ride without one now.
 
Ive only ever had one polypad, it was returned after 1 use as it just slipped out the back within minutes (no matter how much I pulled it up into the gullet etc.). Strangely enough I use a very similar pad, no straps or anything either and it fits perfectly and never slips - it was just a cheapo one, a basic padded square but its brilliant. You could try a saddlecloth with sheepskin under the top half - I used to compete my horse who had a big shoulder action (and thus most saddle cloths slipped back even with straps), the sheepskin bit at the front always kept it in place.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top