shock absorbing half pad

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Bevjane

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Hi my OTTB had kissing spine surgery in Dec 23, he’s recovered well and just started ridden work again, can anyone recommend the best shock absorbing half pad to use please, he is in a wow saddle with flair and it’s been re fitted after surgery so fits very well but would just like a little extra comfort for him. Thank you
 
Kavalkade Invictus pad with D30 Is shock absorbing and shouldn’t affect saddle fit - I find it good with a thinner numnah under. I’ve just seen winderen saddle pads which also look good but I haven’t tried one - from the description it sounds as though they use the same D30 shock absorbing material, but they don’t name it!

D30 - https://www.musto.com/en_gb/inside-musto/technology/d30
 
I'm absolutely love with my Thinline shock-absorbing pad. I've owned it for years and it still looks and feels the same. Really does the job well and my physio often comments on how good my horse's back is. There are lots of different types. I have a full size one rather than a half pad with shims. I just stick it under my numnah and it never moves.
 
Boughtabay said:
Kavalkade Invictus pad with D30 Is shock absorbing and shouldn’t affect saddle fit - I find it good with a thinner numnah under. I’ve just seen winderen saddle pads which also look good but I haven’t tried one - from the description it sounds as though they use the same D30 shock absorbing material, but they don’t name it!

D30 - https://www.musto.com/en_gb/inside-musto/technology/d30
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Thank you will take a look
 
Boughtabay said:
Kavalkade Invictus pad with D30 Is shock absorbing and shouldn’t affect saddle fit - I find it good with a thinner numnah under. I’ve just seen winderen saddle pads which also look good but I haven’t tried one - from the description it sounds as though they use the same D30 shock absorbing material, but they don’t name it!

D30 - https://www.musto.com/en_gb/inside-musto/technology/d30
Click to expand...

Sadly the Invictus is no longer made, the Winderen is Poron XRD which is similar, one expert I know thinks it's way better than d3o, the maker of Invictus, plus one of my mentors, would disagree to great or lesser extents. I do think the Winderen should be a decent pad.

I would ask your saddle fitter. What every horse needs is to be able to lift under the saddle, lifting the thoracic sling, and what helps them do that will vary depending on their shape, muscle tone, how the saddle sits you, the panel materials etc. I've mainly come across people using sheepskin with Flair, air will behave very differently to flock or foam. You may even find that a different panel materials is better, I tend to agree with this (a colleague who I think has a superb approach, massive skill set), but equally realise lots of combos get on with it really well:

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I have a second hand equitex half pad, I use it under both saddles, and it is part of the fitting process when the saddles are checked by saddler. It was also recommended by my saddler.

I have used sheepskin, thinline and prolite all with and without shims in the past. The equitex is currenetly my horse's preference.

If you can borrow an equitex half pad and see what your horse thinks / whether they like it would be my suggestion.
 
sbloom said:
Sadly the Invictus is no longer made, the Winderen is Poron XRD which is similar, one expert I know thinks it's way better than d3o, the maker of Invictus, plus one of my mentors, would disagree to great or lesser extents. I do think the Winderen should be a decent pad.

I would ask your saddle fitter. What every horse needs is to be able to lift under the saddle, lifting the thoracic sling, and what helps them do that will vary depending on their shape, muscle tone, how the saddle sits you, the panel materials etc. I've mainly come across people using sheepskin with Flair, air will behave very differently to flock or foam. You may even find that a different panel materials is better, I tend to agree with this (a colleague who I think has a superb approach, massive skill set), but equally realise lots of combos get on with it really well:

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That’s a shame! I can’t find any literature which directly compares d30 and poron xrd but porous sounds like it’s a foam so I actually like the sound of that! Time to get saving again … 😂
 
sbloom said:
Sadly the Invictus is no longer made, the Winderen is Poron XRD which is similar, one expert I know thinks it's way better than d3o, the maker of Invictus, plus one of my mentors, would disagree to great or lesser extents. I do think the Winderen should be a decent pad.

I would ask your saddle fitter. What every horse needs is to be able to lift under the saddle, lifting the thoracic sling, and what helps them do that will vary depending on their shape, muscle tone, how the saddle sits you, the panel materials etc. I've mainly come across people using sheepskin with Flair, air will behave very differently to flock or foam. You may even find that a different panel materials is better, I tend to agree with this (a colleague who I think has a superb approach, massive skill set), but equally realise lots of combos get on with it really well:

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Apologies for reviving a zombie thread but I have an Invictus to rehome @Boughtabay

IMG_9095.jpeg
 
Not sure if you are a member on here or not (if not I do recommend it, the research on it is brilliant!) but here they have reviewed loads of different ones and ranked in shock absorption, price, etc

askanimalweb.com

Saddle Pads - TESTED April 2023 - AskAnimalweb

To read the rest and learn how this will help you, join us by clicking the banner below. Already a member? Log in here Join us now to view this article PLUS 1000s of tips articles videos money saving ideas reviews webinars podcasts news And so much more! Science backed horse care at your fingertips
askanimalweb.com askanimalweb.com
 
Bobthecob15 said:
Not sure if you are a member on here or not (if not I do recommend it, the research on it is brilliant!) but here they have reviewed loads of different ones and ranked in shock absorption, price, etc

askanimalweb.com

Saddle Pads - TESTED April 2023 - AskAnimalweb

To read the rest and learn how this will help you, join us by clicking the banner below. Already a member? Log in here Join us now to view this article PLUS 1000s of tips articles videos money saving ideas reviews webinars podcasts news And so much more! Science backed horse care at your fingertips
askanimalweb.com askanimalweb.com
Click to expand...
I'm no longer a member. Which came out best?
 
poiuytrewq said:
I'm no longer a member. Which came out best?
Click to expand...
In the most recent tests- (2025) Premier Equine Close Contact Cotton GP/Jump Saddle Pad and the Horsewear Tech Comfort Pad.

In the 2023 ones- The Ogilvy, Animo W-Pad, LeMieux X Grip Silicone, Equitex, LeMieux ProLambskin and Weatherbeeta all performed well in this test, reducing peak pressure by 80-93%.
 
Bobthecob15 said:
In the most recent tests- (2025) Premier Equine Close Contact Cotton GP/Jump Saddle Pad and the Horsewear Tech Comfort Pad.

In the 2023 ones- The Ogilvy, Animo W-Pad, LeMieux X Grip Silicone, Equitex, LeMieux ProLambskin and Weatherbeeta all performed well in this test, reducing peak pressure by 80-93%.
Click to expand...
Oh really!
Were pads like invictus ans thinline or wenderen’s included or just the cheaper brands?
 
poiuytrewq said:
IMG_0568.pngOh really!
Were pads like invictus on the thinline or Wenderen's included or just the cheaper brands?
Click to expand...
Thinline yes, didn't perform well on static and dynamic pressure tests.

Of the 2023 tests yes they did test wenderens and more expensive brands….the lower the pressure the better the pad. I’ve tried to attach pics here x
 

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Bobthecob15 said:
Thinline yes, didn't perform well on static and dynamic pressure tests.

Of the 2023 tests yes they did test wenderens and more expensive brands….the lower the pressure the better the pad. I’ve tried to attach pics here x
Click to expand...
Sorry not sure how to interpret the chart - definitely being dim!- about to purchase a posh pony pad, are its results good or bad?
 
yobonacob said:
Sorry not sure how to interpret the chart - definitely being dim!- about to purchase a posh pony pad, are its results good or bad?
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ignore - just realised we aren't talking about same thing. You are comparing the saddle pads and I am thinking off the treeless saddle type pad
 
yobonacob said:
Sorry not sure how to interpret the chart - definitely being dim!- about to purchase a posh pony pad, are its results good or bad?
Click to expand...

I would read around, I don't know the price of them but there are much cleverer options around these days than what are effectively Shetland pads. This a good treeless saddle discussion group on FB https://www.facebook.com/groups/169680956504884.
 
Has anyone seen the drama on TikTok over Equitex pads?? PR disaster!!! Basically the lady that promotes the product here in the UK made a bit of a tongue in cheek comment about people not caring about their horses if they don’t use an Equitex pad…it was meant to be a joke I think but it’s backfired! Here is the link
https://www.tiktok.com/video/7534724593454566678

There are now lots of funny posts made by people referring to the questionable science behind them…PR team must be delighted 😵‍💫
 
Bobthecob15 said:
Has anyone seen the drama on TikTok over Equitex pads?? PR disaster!!! Basically the lady that promotes the product here in the UK made a bit of a tongue in cheek comment about people not caring about their horses if they don’t use an Equitex pad…it was meant to be a joke I think but it’s backfired! Here is the link
https://www.tiktok.com/video/7534724593454566678

There are now lots of funny posts made by people referring to the questionable science behind them…PR team must be delighted 😵‍💫
Click to expand...
I don’t think it was tongue in cheek the way she’s doubled down in her responses to people.
 
The defence was “its tongue in cheek” but when followed up with “I see people spending £500 on jackets before their horse” it didn’t feel so 🙈
 
Yes can’t say they have ever appealed to me, they just look like they’d not make your saddle fit very well with them being so bulky. Also not convinced there is a market for them!
 
Bobthecob15 said:
Has anyone seen the drama on TikTok over Equitex pads?? PR disaster!!! Basically the lady that promotes the product here in the UK made a bit of a tongue in cheek comment about people not caring about their horses if they don’t use an Equitex pad…it was meant to be a joke I think but it’s backfired! Here is the link
https://www.tiktok.com/video/7534724593454566678

There are now lots of funny posts made by people referring to the questionable science behind them…PR team must be delighted 😵‍💫
Click to expand...
I’ve not seen the original comment but have seen the drama. Much as the comment was stupid the backlash seems disproportionate but that’s social media for you!

I have some Equitex pads fitted properly with my saddle by my saddle fitter and I really like them but as with anything it doesn’t suit all. Been using for 3 years now without any issues.
 
How did I miss all this drama! I do have some clients where the horses really like the Equitex, and some prefer it to sheepskin etc, for both treeless and treed, but it's a lot of money and a risk if you can't try one.
 
sbloom said:
How did I miss all this drama! I do have some clients where the horses really like the Equitex, and some prefer it to sheepskin etc, for both treeless and treed, but it's a lot of money and a risk if you can't try one.
Click to expand...
Ah yes that’s true, if it doesn’t that’s £200 down the drain!

I’ve seen a lot of reports of saddles slipping at badminton with them but I don’t know what that is about?
 
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