Polypads

[AandK]

Does anyone use Polypads? Either standard or the high wither ones. Looking for something a bit thicker than a normal saddle cloth.

 

[Laafet]

I do with my ex-racer, she loves them. I looked at buying some more and was at the price but then I bought my last ones 2nd hand 20 years ago so things have gone up a bit since then!

 

[EternalVetBills]

I have a cheap knockoff one from Rhinegold that I use under my jump saddle, my horses love it and I don't notice much difference between that one and my official Polypad (just maybe the official is a bit more vibrant in colour). Don't know whether they still do them though as I inherited it quite a few years ago with a horse I got on loan and it wasn't particularly new then.

 

[Redders]

Premier Equine used to do ‘work pads’ which are very similar to polypads, I love mine. Not a bad price and they run regular sales

 

[SpotsandBays]

Poly pads have fallen out of fashion now
That there’s so many matchy vibrant other pads available, but this means there’s usually lots of second hand ones up for sale so I’d definitely check Facebook marketplace/eBay

 

[sbloom]

What benefits do you need? For a similar thickness but brilliant shock absorption I love the Invictus half pad, used over a regular cotton numnah. I don't find Polypads thick enough to change the fit of a saddle, or to offer much other benefit over a decent cotton numnah.

 

[AandK]

What benefits do you need? For a similar thickness but brilliant shock absorption I love the Invictus half pad, used over a regular cotton numnah. I don't find Polypads thick enough to change the fit of a saddle, or to offer much other benefit over a decent cotton numnah.

Horse prefers the saddle without a pad (I have a VIP), not looking to change the fit of the saddle, just have a bit more padding than my current numnah.

 

[Birker2020]

Does anyone use Polypads? Either standard or the high wither ones. Looking for something a bit thicker than a normal saddle cloth.

I have a Le Mieux one (the one on the right) We were using it with the Gel-eze fish eye gel pad for Lari but now use a prolite pad instead. Its thicker than normal saddle pads, I also have a poly pad style which again is Le Mieux (on the left)

 

[Birker2020]

What benefits do you need? For a similar thickness but brilliant shock absorption I love the Invictus half pad, used over a regular cotton numnah. I don't find Polypads thick enough to change the fit of a saddle, or to offer much other benefit over a decent cotton numnah.

The Invictus rings a bell, I think my saddle fitter recommeded that but I had the prolite so used that instead.

 

[ihatework]

I like the Le mieux padded ones. They seem to sit better and have girth straps

 

[teddy_]

If you do go for a PolyPad, I find the 'Forma' range stay in place better than the original shape.

 

[LEC]

I like my horseware ones which work brilliantly and look and feel very similar. I use them a lot in winter with clipped horses.

 

[AandK]

If you do go for a PolyPad, I find the 'Forma' range stay in place better than the original shape.

I was looking at the premier pad, which looks to have a similar shaped spine etc but is square rather than saddle shaped.

 

[teddy_]

I was looking at the premier pad, which looks to have a similar shaped spine etc but is square rather than saddle shaped.

Yes! I am going to buy one of these for when the little madam is clipped .

 

[IrishMilo]

I love Polypads but I wish they'd just sew on a girth strap. They always end up flying out the back of the saddle so I gave up with them. And before anyone suggests it, sewing isn't my thing...

 

[Horseysheepy]

I like them, I like how they look. I had a second hand one which I found handy for chucking underneath lungeing rollers. It also doubled up as a handy cat bed when my cat was on cage rest.

 

[sbloom]

Horse prefers the saddle without a pad (I have a VIP), not looking to change the fit of the saddle, just have a bit more padding than my current numnah.

It's just that the padding seldom actually does anything, if you have them and the horse does actually prefer them then fair enough, but we get in the habit of using certain things, it's useful to remind ourselves that materials are everything. A good felt lined numnah, like a Mattes or others that almost stand up on their own, is my go to, then the stated half pad (much better than a VIP IMO but all horses are different) for those that feel the benefit.

The Invictus rings a bell, I think my saddle fitter recommeded that but I had the prolite so used that instead.

Very different, the Invictus is WAY more effective. Again, if you have one, and your horse likes it, use a Prolite, but there are much better products out there.