Saddle pad help please - any others fit like Mattes?

[catkin]

Are there any other brands that are similar to Mattes saddle pads (the plain ones without sheepskin)?

I have a Mattes one that is a great shape for my pony and saddle - but I've been asked some leading questions by a family member which I guess are about 'getting the pony a Christmas present' and if there is such a thing I'd like to answer with a few more suggestions than a single 50 quid pad!
PS I appreciate that you get what you pay for - but just putting it out there in case I'm missing something..........

Forgot to say it's the dressage square

 

[sbloom]

The shape of the dressage pad isn't that unusual, I think the GP shape is almost unique. HKM and LeMieux cotton squares are nice quality and a bit cheaper but you're not going to find anything super cheap, the cheap ones are floppy, and obviously it may be the sizing that is key to you, in which case we need to know which size you're using at least .

 

[catkin]

There's two things I find good about the pad , the curve along the spine is a great shape and the quality of the filling. It's a 'bog-standard' Full-size dressage square.
Thanks for the two recommendations, I know they are not going to be super cheap but I'd like to make some alternative suggestions as it's such a sweet offer from the person concerned.

 

[sbloom]

I agree, the overall quality and shaping for the horse, unless you have a very high withered horse and high pommeled saddle, is very good. I've not found anything better overall which I why I stock them. Full size is pretty large in Mattes, measurements here http://numnah.com/info_sizes.asp?pid=48 although of course you can measure your own

 

[catkin]

the Mattes label says 'L', and yes, the pad seems enormous - but as far as the pony is concerned he likes it.

What the pony wants, the pony gets ........

 

[ester]

I only have a dead sheep GP version, I find that fits similarly to my nuumed hi wither equivalents. Sorry no dressage to compare though. I do like the spine free on the mattes though and probs do prefer it a bit even though it was second hand when I got it and a bit faded now.

 

[sbloom]

They do fade a bit, I have just ordered some dark brown pads with lighter sheepskin as even the sheepskin can discolour over time. Fab pads, though they used to vary and did a NuuMed equivalent. They are now all sheepskin rather than wool (the old Platinum finish) whereas Nuumed are proudly veggie .

No harm in going smaller if it's okay under the saddle ie binding is clear.

 

[milliepops]

I loved my mattes pads but I always found the binding rubbed kieffer used to make a good felt filled pad and agree LM are a decent alternative in terms of stability.