Sheepskin pads v gel pads

[djb]

Further to my other post about my horse who keeps getting a sore back - whilst I realise that these are not a substitute for having a properly fitting saddle I wondered which ones people prefer.

I have had my new saddle for one month after my previous saddle was bridging and causing a sore back. As yet I am not sure whether my new saddle is causing similar problems even after being thoroughly checked for fit/bridging when I had it fitted. Hopefully if I use one of these for a couple of weeks I can see whether his back improves.

In the meantime I need to try and keep him in work as he is a very good doer and I need to keep his weight under control. So I was thinking of either a gel pad or a sheepskin pad. I'm not sure of the benefits of one over the other.

I'm also a bit concerned that these products will affect the fit of the saddle by having the bulk under the saddle - what are other people's experiences? Thanks

 

[vicijp]

Both work in different ways. The sheepskin will lie next to the skin, giving a nice feel (It works wonders on my horse who is prone to getting sore withers due to slipping). Gel pads shouldnt be used next to the skin, as with any man made fibre. It will cause overheating and worsen the problem. It will lessen whatever is causing the soreness and help the back heal. You could use either or both.

 

[Blizzard]

You can get the sheepskin ones that have gel inserts, so both at once.

I know stephens do them.

I have a pink Stephens sheepskin half pad and its lovely , so soft! Gorgeous!

 

[k9h]

I dont know the name of it(aren't I a big help!?) but there is a saddle pad that contains lots of beads in it that spread around to disperse pressure. I think it is called HD or something like that after the inventer maybe someone on here knows what I am going on about. But they did big tests they show it on their website. They had 16+ stone men riding little TB's & they caused less presure than & lighter person in a normal pad. Don't know if this helps you much I think it cost around £65 & I would like to get one if I could remember what it was called?! Will go & see if I can find it.

 

[Rambo]

I have a sheepskin half numnah with 4 gel pad inserts in it

It's great on one the horses, but causes the saddle to sit too high up on the other one. It really depends on the horse and the saddle in question as to what works best though

 

[Weezy]

HUntress do you mean this? http://www.frankbaines-saddlery.com/evac_saddle.asp

 

[flyingfeet]

I have a pad which is both sheepskin and gel, which works really well

That said I have wondered whether the air pads from First Thought would be good (makers of WOW & flair)

You can pump the pad up as required and I think its a really good idea

 

[k9h]

Weezy very similar but not exactly the same one. I am still looking for it at mo will let you know when I do!! But very similar.

Kate

 

[k9h]

I found it!!

It's the David Ahn Suber Pad & it is filled with cork. If you go onto his website it tells you of 20stone men riding at sitting trot for 8hrs a day (Noway I could do that length of time!) In crude wooden saddles with no effect to the horse & 1 TB mare doing 25,000 mile ride with the pad & her back was fine. Glad I finally found it. Weezy you will see it is very similar to the Evac pad. Kate

 

[Blizzard]

Just had a look on the David Ahn website and it sounds fab, cant find any prices though?

 

[k9h]

I have just rung him. The close contact one is £65 & the one with sides is £85. It comes in brown or black or he can do White as a special order

 

[djb]

JM7 - in the post I do state that I have only had the saddle for 1 month as the previouse one was causing a sore back. He is still very slightly tweaky although much better than previously. He has also seen a physio three times in the past 2 months for treatment. The physio is happy for him to be ridden.
The new one was professionally fitted so I am assuming it fits. I also state that the use of a gel pad or sheepskin pad would be to use for a couple of weeks to see if the original problem improves - therefore hopefully meaning this is old soreness from the old saddle.

 

[TGM]

That is what have have always been told - and so have only ever used a thin cloth under the saddle. However, when I had my saddle checked and reflocked this year, it was actually the saddler who recommended using a Nuumed sheepskin numnah under it! It was not just that individual saddler either, a friend's saddler suggested exactly the same thing to her.

I must say my mare seems much happier since she has had the Nuumed as well.

 

[Blizzard]

Yep my mares Bates saddle was fitted to her etc and was a perfect fit, yet slipped really badly, I was advised to buy a sheepskin half pad which did help a bit, but not enough unfortunately!

ooh thanks Huntress, I really want one now!

Just thinking how I can justify it when this week we have bought a horse and Im currently getting him kitted out in Rambo rugs!

Has anyone used one of these beanbag pads?

 

[cyearsley]

Hi, just thought would add to debate as back issues and numnahs are close to my heart at the mo! Bought new neddy and month later had mysterious lump on back, vet called, saddler called, no one could confirm why or what caused it but was muscle damage and had 6 weeks off work. New saddle (brand new and professionally fitted) was reflocked to make softer but fit confirmed as good by two master saddlers..... Tried Nuumed as have had good results in past but kept slipping, Prolite numnah (around £65) and a Barnsby Grip pad (superb numnah with raised gel type protective cushioning along saddle panel and grip layer underneath - aound £45). The best by far is undoubtedly a product called the Impakt pad, which was recommended to me by a saddler and three people who use nothing else. The Professional version is actually designed for horses with sensitive backs or who have had sore backs in the past. Only problem is the people who make them have a broken machine so they are as rare as rocking horse poo! Am waiting for one purchased via Ebay to arrive so can give back borrowed one! Oh also tried the strange rubber gel-eze pad and though stoped slipping didn't really give protection.

Would say from my own opinion that 1st is the Impakt pad, second is the Barnsby grip pad and wouldn't bother with any of the others now especially if grip is as important as protection.
PHEW - got that off my chest !! Hope that helps!

 

[MagicMelon]

I find my boy who is cold backed loves his sheepskin pad (in between his thin cotton saddlecloth and saddle). But I tried it on my Welshie once and it was dreadful. It was far too bulky and actually made the saddle slip so it was taken off pronto. It really depends on your saddle and your horses build - I dont think they fit chunky types very well so on these Id probably use a thin gel pad.

 

[Thistle]

I have a suber pad lookalike that I wish to sell, hardly used. PM Me

 

[Cobnut1]

[ QUOTE ]
I dont know the name of it(aren't I a big help!?) but there is a saddle pad that contains lots of beads in it that spread around to disperse pressure. I think it is called HD or something like that after the inventer maybe someone on here knows what I am going on about. But they did big tests they show it on their website. They had 16+ stone men riding little TB's & they caused less presure than & lighter person in a normal pad. Don't know if this helps you much I think it cost around £65 & I would like to get one if I could remember what it was called?! Will go & see if I can find it.

[/ QUOTE ]

Suber pad perhaps? Apologies if someone got there before me!

 

[LEC]

Twisting this slightly - At an event this weekend gone I saw someone riding with two numnahs and a half pad

It looked ridiculous but he was a 'semi-pro' and I guess only had one saddle. Eventing you see hundreds of people with half pads and gel pads.