questions about polypads

Opiumm

Member
Joined
25 September 2011
Messages
13
Location
Belgium
half-opium.skyrock.com
Hello,
I don't know if there is other topics about polypads, but I have some questions.

In Belgium, a few people know the polypads and the few stores where we sell them is expensive.

I discovered this brand when buying on English websites.
I'm pretty amazed at the number of people with negative opinions about their saddlepads.

Are they so bad?

I already bought 6 products including 4 numnah and I've never had a problem.
 
When I was trying to buy a horse it seemed all the event people liked polypads. My friend who is a master saddler believes they are not a good product and they make horses backs sore.

At the moment people seem very keen on thick sheepskin pads, but I think if the saddle fits properly, surely you should need such a thick pad as sheepskin.

Personally I prefer a simple Nu-med numnah. I try to wash them very frequently, especially if they get sweaty as I am sure that is half the problem with pads/numnahs etc. Some people let them get sweaty, dirty and they cause rubs.
 
My elderly horse has been using the same Polypad under his tree'd saddle for the last ten years. It's also been used with my Torsion treeless too.

Never been a problem and I would buy another if needed.

When they are due to be retired, they also make good dog beds.
 
I do eventing too :D

I agree with you about the cleanliness of the pads and the fact that putting too thick between the saddle and the horse's back.

Now maybe people place their polypads wrong or have a saddle that is ill-suited to ensure that the pad moves?

It's good for the dog, I had not thought of!
 
I've not used one personally but for fitting wide horses as I frequently do I find that you need the most stable pad as possible - those two layers, with very few, and wide apart, quilting lines, mean than the top can move relative to the bottom, so it could cause instability. They may well be fine on horses with no such issues but it is easy to see how there could be movement.
 
I used to have one and I always pulled it right up into the saddle's gullet. I never had a problem with it moving and going tight on the withers. I stopped using it because it wore out.
 
I use one to protect my horses back - he is a bit underweight. I suppose I think it will be a little more comfy for him.. I didn't realise they could cause discomfort/rubbing. The saddle doesn't pinch with it underneath & I pull it right up into the saddle when putting on so that it doesn't slip back - if I don't do that it slips right back!

However, I have recently been looking at sheepskin ones as an alternative. I am not very keen on the PolyPad styling and the fact that they don't have girth straps to secure.
 
I personally think Polypads are the best thing since sliced bread.... have used then ever since they first appeared. In fact still have the originals !!!
Mine are washed every single time they are used... this is the secret to them.

They are the best for use on young horses being sat on for the first time... takes away any pressure on the back, will help a saddle that requires reflocking if you do not have another one to use.... oh the uses are endless.

Because they are hollowfibre fill, they cannot crush like so many of the competitors.... and no I do not work for them or have shares in the company !!!!!!!
 
personally i wouldnt go passed a polypad, have used them ever since i can remember, every horse i have had has had them, i like the fact that there is more padding to them than a normal numnah so takes a bit of the pressure off the horses back, my saddle was fitted with a polypad to make sure that it fitted with such a thick pad on without hurting him and it was fine, i dont have a problem with them slipping back, just wish they had a line along the spine as i can never get them to be on perfectly centre haha
 
I personally think Polypads are the best thing since sliced bread.... have used then ever since they first appeared.

Same here saved my boys back he used to bronk me off on a regular basis, since using a proper poly pad not had an issue, his back has got 100X better (not used anything else other than polypad eg physio - that was a big waste of money and made him worse and was a vet cert. physio!!). Another girl on yard also swears by them, I prefer them to a half pad as they lift the whole saddle not just narrowing the top and are fab to help relive pressure points :)
 
I'm not a polypad lover, sorry. They don't fit my saddle or horse. I had one many years ago and it was too thick for my liking and it did slip. I love my Stephens Sheepskin Saddle Pad - a bit pricey but a very good investment!
 
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