Prolite or VIP pad?

[Horsemum671]

Hi,

I have a prolite pad which I sometimes use to improve fit of the saddle and comfort due to fluctuations in his weight and muscle tone.

The prolite seems to work ok but I’ve heard loads about these VIP pads being amazing, I’m considering getting one. Has anyone used both these and a prolite and can tell me if they are better or do something the prolite doesn’t do?

 

[milliepops]

for me VIP pad was too thin. i use a shimmable sheepskin pad to improve my saddle fit and the VIP was not as thick, i'd say it's thinner than a standard prolite too.

 

[AFB]

The VIP isn't a corrective pad - though nor is a normal Prolite, so without knowing which Prolite you use it could be a case of comparing apples & oranges

 

[sbloom]

Yep VIP is shock absorbing. If you need a corrective pad for a fit that changes then Mattes sheepskin with trimmable shims. Prolite is seen as industry standard but has no advantage over sheepskin in most cases, except price, and using Prolite shims is a very blunt instrument IMO. If you just need a thicker pad then sheepskin, pure and simple.

 

[Hallo2012]

ive tried them all and mine consistently likes the wide thin prolite over anything.

 

[sbloom]

ive tried them all and mine consistently likes the wide thin prolite over anything.

And there is always that, horses have a preference and it doesn't matter what science tries to tell them . However when advising someone spending money on a new pad, with nothing to borrow on trial, I'll go with the science as I'm sure you'll understand.

 

[sunleychops]

The VIP pad is just an overpriced glorified gel pad

 

[TPO]

I really like the VIP one of the reasons is because it does not alter the saddle fit.

If you are looking for a pad to increase your horse's comfort then I'd recommend the VIP. Having said that if you search threads on here some people have noticed no difference so like everything else it won't be for everyone.

If you are looking for a pad that does alter the fit of the saddle then the VIP probably isn't for you. However I do not agree that it is a "glorified gel pad".

Personally I'm not a huge prolite fan. I find that the edges of the pads cause pressure points but that's just my experience.

I'm another mattes fan, although I've only used them with western, not English, saddles. The sheepskin is lovely on then and the shims are incredibly thin so offer lots of flexibility and accuracy with fit.

 

[TPO]

Duplicate post

 

[Muddywellies]

The VIP pad is just an overpriced glorified gel pad

Bought one. Was shocked at how heavy and cumbersome it was. It was thicker that I thought, and despite them claiming it didn't affect saddle fit, it did. Duly sold it.

 

[sbloom]

The VIP pad is just an overpriced glorified gel pad

No it is not. It is proven technology and unlike Prolite is is made from a proprietory material whose performance you can look up. It is fit for purpose unlike many other foams and gels that are used in saddle pads without any signs of the sort of performance that might benefit the horse.

http://www.akton.com/polymer.html
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCo6ezdFU7lhf2Y1FvSxzwCQ/videos - there is one in particular shown on here that has never, luckily, gained much traction here but it is an absolute rip off.

Absorbing shock is not the same as feeling lovely and fluffy and soft (not that you're saying that!), and in fact one of the best shock absorbing pads is pretty much rigid, especially when cold.

Bought one. Was shocked at how heavy and cumbersome it was. It was thicker that I thought, and despite them claiming it didn't affect saddle fit, it did. Duly sold it.

Gel pads are going to be heavy but I would say it has less effect on saddle fit than most therapeutic pads. I have seen Equitex make a difference in one case, but not in another. It can depend on the shape of the horse. I'm not the biggest fan but equally some horses really like them, some it makes no odds at all, and some dislike it.

Interesting Centaur have done research saying that a sheepskin half pad doesn't cause pressure anywhere even if put under a saddle that has not been adjusted to take it. I personally cannot see it, as I know very well that to keep a saddle in the same balance with a sheepskin pad it either needs widening or deflocking at the front, or a 5mm shim in the back, to maintain the same balance it was in with a cotton numnah.

A high wither with wide spinal processes may be pinched by any thicker pad and they must be fitted with care. They also need to come down below the tree points when sufficiently up off the wither and there are several pads which won't be able to do this, especially as high wither saddles tend to have long points.