Prolite or sheepskin half pad?

I_A_P

I_A_P

Well-Known Member
Joined
29 March 2005
Messages
5,869
Visit site
What do you prefer? Not to correct the fit but just a cushioning layer combined with a thin cotton saddlecloth?
 
If it is just for cusioning then the sheepskin is softer, it also wicks sweat so they don't get as hot underneath. I have both and use the prolite with shims if I need to adjust fit, but it is quite sweaty, the sheepskin is much nicer for comfort but as it isn't as firm as the prolite doesn't give you as much lift.
 
Neither as both will alter the fit of the saddle. Sheepskin half pads have a significant thickness and should be used at the time of saddle fitting if you want to use one. Beware of just chucking one under the saddle because it seems nice and soft.
 
Sheepskin, always. No fan of gel or prolite here :cool:. I agree that generally you need to have the saddle fitted to allow for a thick pad, if the fit at the front is good, then there are no pressure issues as such, as some like to say, but it will lift the front of the saddle slightly more than the back. There are short pile sheepskin pads which would be fine to use under many saddles, no thicker than a polypad.

I often advise my customers to consider getting a sheepskin pad that can take shims though, incredibly useful thing to have in the tack room - can use as a rear or front riser, or use to correct an asymmetry. I only use the Mattes correction system, pricey but the sheepskin is second to none and the shim system is the best I've seen.
 
Fourlegsgood said:
Neither as both will alter the fit of the saddle. Sheepskin half pads have a significant thickness and should be used at the time of saddle fitting if you want to use one. Beware of just chucking one under the saddle because it seems nice and soft.
Click to expand...

Hmm, I had one of the top Barnsby fitters here a couple of weeks ago and he disagreed. He was perfectly happy for me to put a sheepskin 1/2 pad under the new jump saddle that he fitted very meticulously without the pad (3 alterations once it was here and he saw it on the horse, even after he'd made it to a wither pattern). He said it just lifts the saddle up (obviously), it is NOT like putting a thick pair of socks in shoes and making them tight, because that is an enclosed space. Of course there are limits, too many pads and you end up like the princess and the pea!
I have a Fleeceworks sheepskin 1/2pad that I bought at Burghley, with removable memory-foam front shims or full length shims, and I cannot believe how brilliant it is. It's much better than I expected and the horses love it. I've used it daily since and it's still as new, looks very smart. I've long been a fan of prolite but I think it holds heat in which the sheepskin doesn't. I can't rate this highly enough, it's worth every penny... it's very dense sheepskin and very cushioning, and doesn't move a mm even without using the straps (which I'm going to cut off!)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top