Shock Absorbing half pads

[LEC]

I always try to use a half pad as I have close contact saddle and never get horses with sore backs with having used them.

Full disclosure - I love my prolite. But I know times have moved on and my prolite is very ragged round the edges so what should I be using?

Open to anything. Not been overwhelmed by VIP pads though.

 

[Nicnac]

Bought an Acavallo Tuesday and jumped with it yesterday. Fabulous!

 

[Roxylola]

I have an acavallo one. I like it a lot, its got air holes and I found that even if the part that's in contact with the saddle is hot the other side is cooler at least

 

[daffy44]

I also use Acavallo gel pads inbetween the saddle cloth and saddle, it seems to suit all horses, from 4yr olds to GP horses, no sore backs here either.

 

[TPO]

What don't you like about VIP?

Admittedly no eventing, or even jumping, with mine but I really rated it

 

[ihatework]

I’ve got thinline, you are welcome to trial it next weekend if you want

 

[KEK]

I also use Acavallo gel pads inbetween the saddle cloth and saddle, it seems to suit all horses, from 4yr olds to GP horses, no sore backs here either.

I have been putting the avacello pad directly on the horses back and putting the saddle pad on top of that, is that incorrect? For the purposes of trying to stop the saddle slipping, on suggestion of the saddler. Thanks ?

 

[AFB]

I have been putting the avacello pad directly on the horses back and putting the saddle pad on top of that, is that incorrect? For the purposes of trying to stop the saddle slipping, on suggestion of the saddler. Thanks ?

They're super sticky & pull at the horses skin - lots of research on it.

I struggled with the VIP as my horse wasn't 100% even across his back at the time and it moved under my saddle - haven't tried again since. I'd like to try the thinline but tbh would probably stick to good quality sheepskin.

 

[LEC]

What don't you like about VIP?

Admittedly no eventing, or even jumping, with mine but I really rated it

I think I am more attracted to D30 technology and they do not have that.

 

[nikicb]

I use an acavello as well in between the saddle and saddle pad. When I first got my mare she had a lot of muscle wastage under the saddle area due to a previous very badly fitting saddle. A year down the line she now works properly over her back and has great muscle tone. Although the saddle fit will have made the most difference, I am sure the gel pad will have helped as well. Just be careful if you get one with fluff attached to make sure the fluff is pulled clear from being underneath the saddle at the back, as otherwise it will lift it. My saddler loves the gel pads, but only if they are fitted properly!

 

[sportsmansB]

I have a VIP for my kissing spines chap
I don't know if it makes that much difference to him to be honest, but it makes me feel better that I am doing something which should help make him more comfortable..

 

[TPO]

I think I am more attracted to D30 technology and they do not have that.

I'll need to Google as no clue what that is!

 

[LEC]

I'll need to Google as no clue what that is!

Kavalkade Half Pad Invictus D30 Brown GP - Agradi.com

This one has it. Its also used quite a lot in XC boots. I think I am put off by sticky gel pads as I love my Prolite so want something I can drop on the floor by accident and not get pissed off that I have done that. I really like the look of the Winderen but nobody has mentioned that one! Also kind of fascinated by the felt pads by Equipe but also no mention. Also no mentions of Equitex but tbh I am struggling to see what is so special about it? I am happy to spend the money but want to future proof as well as its an item which is used everyday.

I have wool half pads which I tend to use when championship/3 day fit as I have pulled their body fat right back but they don't spend very much of the year looking like that or being that fit.

I briefly had a weatherbeeta memory foam pad and instantly sent it back as it was terrible. Cheap memory foam which was useless.

 

[Roxylola]

My acavallo isn't sticky at all

 

[daffy44]

I have been putting the avacello pad directly on the horses back and putting the saddle pad on top of that, is that incorrect? For the purposes of trying to stop the saddle slipping, on suggestion of the saddler. Thanks ?

There are different types of acavallo gel pads, I know there is one which is designed to go directly on the horses skin, I have seen it used and I wasnt impressed, it didnt look comfortable to me. The one I use is designed to be used inbetween the saddlepad and saddle and it isnt sticky at all.

 

[Roxylola]

https://www.equiflairsaddlery.com/c...-seat-savers/products/acavallo-shaped-gel-pad
This is mine, I am under no illusion that its amazing but for the price it's decent, it's lasted well, it doesn't get super hot, and I think gives a bit more comfort. And it doesn't feel icky (underestimated necessity)

 

[sbloom]

Invictus (which isn't made by Kavalkade, most odd!) as it has the top performing d3o in it, brilliant dense foam made from a non-Newtonian fluid that forms strong bond instaneously when it has a rapid impact. Akton (VIP) is pretty good, you can look up its performance, as you can d3o, and anything with Poron XRD (Winderen, Jen X Equine, one of the Toklat ranges) will be up there with the d3o. Thinline pretty good too.

Sheepskin would come next for me. Some horses like Acavallo but it's unproven tech as far as I'm concerned, there's no named material in it so I can't look up the performance.

Shock absorbing means FAST recovery (memory foam is nearly always slow recovery) but without too much rebound (bounce). The best materials, once 1cm or so thick, stop a bowling ball dead on concrete dropped from a metre. I've not had a chance to compare Acavallo, Prolite allows a LOT more bounce than you'd think, in my basic test it performs the same as sheepskin for shock absorption (not talked about often with sheepskin but it absorbs maybe 25% shock if it's roughly the same as Prolite). I have no idea why Prolite is still "industry standard" with most fitters.

Check out The Truth Tack Review on Youtube.

 

[LEC]

Invictus (which isn't made by Kavalkade, most odd!) as it has the top performing d3o in it, brilliant dense foam made from a non-Newtonian fluid that forms strong bond instaneously when it has a rapid impact. Akton (VIP) is pretty good, you can look up its performance, as you can d3o, and anything with Poron XRD (Winderen, Jen X Equine, one of the Toklat ranges) will be up there with the d3o. Thinline pretty good too.

Sheepskin would come next for me. Some horses like Acavallo but it's unproven tech as far as I'm concerned, there's no named material in it so I can't look up the performance.

Shock absorbing means FAST recovery (memory foam is nearly always slow recovery) but without too much rebound (bounce). The best materials, once 1cm or so thick, stop a bowling ball dead on concrete dropped from a metre. I've not had a chance to compare Acavallo.

Check out The Truth Tack Review on Youtube.

perfect - thanks will take a look

 

[KEK]

There are different types of acavallo gel pads, I know there is one which is designed to go directly on the horses skin, I have seen it used and I wasnt impressed, it didnt look comfortable to me. The one I use is designed to be used inbetween the saddlepad and saddle and it isnt sticky at all.

Thanks. I've managed to find the one I have https://www.lanoirsaddleworld.com.au/product/acavallo-light-weight-soft-gel-pad-black-one-size/ and it says it can go either place. Unsure if it helps, think the saddle might be moving a bit less.

 

[Auslander]

I have an Equitex pad, and I'm a big fan. My horse is slightly uneven, with a bit more muscle on the left than the right, and with a standard saddle pad/sheepskin half pad combo the marks left on his coat were more pronounced on the left than the right after exercise. With the Equitex, they are uniform on each side, despite there being a bit less saddle pressure on the right side. I've just had the saddle flocked to fill in the gaps on the right, so I'll be examining the marks after exercise with great interest!

 

[McFluff]

I use a VIP and really rate it. Nice and thin and horse is really learning to lift his back and soften.

 

[Noble]

Just looked up the invictus saddle pad, being nosey, Horze has it in the sale at 50% off £72 with a discount code for a further 15%, not sure if you can use it with sale items. If that is any use to anyone.

 

[CanteringCarrot]

Just looked up the invictus saddle pad, being nosey, Horze has it in the sale at 50% off £72 with a discount code for a further 15%, not sure if you can use it with sale items. If that is any use to anyone.

Because of this post, I have purchased an Invictus pad. Mostly because I was curious about it when I was shopping for a pad a few months back. I ended up with a Thinline (cotton - trifecta - no sheepskin) and I'm mostly satisfied. I don't know that it makes a huge difference, and I was mostly interested for myself due to my arthritic SI joint.

I've tried sheepskin in the past and horse was...odd about it. I don't know why. Even when the saddle was fit with the pad.

I need something thin so Thinline was the best option, it seemed. I had concerns about the sizing and lack of contour in the topline of the VIP pad for this particular horse. The Invictus might be too thick, I don't know. Looking forward to at least getting my hands on one and if all else fails, Horze has free returns.

A fellow livery has a Winderen pad, which I also considered and comes in a thinner style. It's a bit more pricey though.

 

[sbloom]

I find they change the fit for some, not for others, so a bit borderline. Some horses don't like sheepskin full stop, they're few and far between...and then I chatted to another fitter recently who swears all the horses she fits prefer their Mattes sheepskin pads with no spine free channel...I think so much is to do with how you fit the saddles.

 

[SmallSteps]

Invictus are amazing

 

[LEC]

I have just bought an invictus ? looks like it will replace my faithful prolite and do the years of work I expect it to.

 

[CrazyMare]

I have a polite with shims and a VIP ?

 

[Marigold4]

I have a Thinline and think its great. It hardly changes the fit at all and my horse likes it

 

[AFB]

Just looked up the invictus saddle pad, being nosey, Horze has it in the sale at 50% off £72 with a discount code for a further 15%, not sure if you can use it with sale items. If that is any use to anyone.

It does work, drops it to £66 inc. postage. I'm now tempted to buy something I don't actually need right now just because of the bargain!

 

[TPO]

Just looked up the invictus saddle pad, being nosey, Horze has it in the sale at 50% off £72 with a discount code for a further 15%, not sure if you can use it with sale items. If that is any use to anyone.

Just on the dressage version; the gp/jump is full price but the code takes it to £123