sheepskin/pad reccomendations for back issues

[clairefeekerry1]

also in NL
my horse is just coming back from random back issues/saddle problems. have found best if he's ridden in a specialist saddle from remedial saddler (kay humphries/barry swain) but with a thick pad/sheepskin. currently have a prolite saddle cloth and le meiux half pad but the prolite cloth doesnt fit my new saddle so looking for other ideas? poly pad? or maybe the nuumed ones?? does anyone use a thick cloth with a half pad as well? really looking for total cushion under the saddle. saddle has been fitted with this in mind

 

[Batgirl]

Providing that the saddle is fitted for it, the gel pads are excellent for even cushioning across the back, you can get them with sheepskin on too. The added benefit is that they don't loose shape or thickness like the material ones.

 

[Sneedy]

If you've got one of the wide seat saddles you'll struggle to find something, although I noticed yesterday that Prolite have bought out a wide version of their pad, it's 3" wider than the normal one and designed for wide panelled saddles? Or the Lemieux half wool saddlecloths are nice and thick.

 

[clairefeekerry1]

Ye seen those gel pads with sheepskin. They look good. If very expensive but given what i've already spent on this hope whats another 100 quid! What about polypad? Good or bad?

 

[clairefeekerry1]

I've got a le meiux half pad which is lovely so maybe their cloth is the way to go.

 

[Sneedy]

I've got a black dressage one looking for a new home.......

 

[Batgirl]

I used to use a polypad on my cob, was good quality and kept its shape

 

[Foxford]

I've got a really thick Nuumed sheepshin numnah for my youngsters new dressage saddle (saddler recommended it). He seems really comfy in it and I can swap it for a thinner pad when he fills out a bit more. A few saddlers will make numnahs for you if you have a particular shaped saddle, might be worth a try?

 

[oldvic]

A polypad with a sheepskin 1/2 pad works well. Prolite pads also work well with a polypad or nu-med saddlecloth with sheepskin. I personally prefer a prolite to a gel pad as there is less potential movement.

 

[georgiegirl]

Ive had both mattes ones and nuumed ones but the sheepskin always tends to go a bit 'claggy' if that makes sense.

I now have a rambo one and it is absolutely gorgeous, washes perfectly too.

 

[oldvic]

Ive had both mattes ones and nuumed ones but the sheepskin always tends to go a bit 'claggy' if that makes sense.

If you brush them with a dog brush (the type like a velcro cleaner) that keeps them soft and unlumpy.

 

[clairefeekerry1]

A polypad with a sheepskin 1/2 pad works well. Prolite pads also work well with a polypad or nu-med saddlecloth with sheepskin. I personally prefer a prolite to a gel pad as there is less potential movement.

very helpful thank you, its any sort of movement that seems to be causing an issue so need as much stability as poss!

 

[clairefeekerry1]

If you brush them with a dog brush (the type like a velcro cleaner) that keeps them soft and unlumpy.

and human hair conditioner rubbed in before its washed is supposed to help too!

 

[oldvic]

very helpful thank you, its any sort of movement that seems to be causing an issue so need as much stability as poss!

In that case if you use a polypad, using the single thickness will be the most stable with the main protection coming from the prolite or sheepskin.

 

[georgiegirl]

yeah we used to do that but they still never came out as nice as the rambo one - dont even have to brush it after its been washed, comes out all lovely and fluffy!

 

[Gamebird]

I've got a similar problem with a sensitively-backed horse (in the dressage only!). I've tried a polypad and prolite pad which produced a definite improvement. I'd like sheepskin next to his skin really but a half pad's no use for this as using it with a saddlecloth would defeat the object. Might go for a half-lined saddle-cloth with my prolite pad?

 

[clairefeekerry1]

I've got a similar problem with a sensitively-backed horse (in the dressage only!). I've tried a polypad and prolite pad which produced a definite improvement. I'd like sheepskin next to his skin really but a half pad's no use for this as using it with a saddlecloth would defeat the object. Might go for a half-lined saddle-cloth with my prolite pad?

ye i find the sheepsking alone makes a huge difference on my horses back. maybe poly pads need to incorporate sheepskin!!! i've tried the le meiux and stephens sheepskin and they are amazing but i belive they are actually lambs skin, not sheep skin.

 

[dieseldog]

This is quite an interesting read, although it is published on the Polypads website

http://www.polypads.co.uk/Bit_Magazine_report.pdf