Thorn pads - for an adult?

[maya2008]

I would have searched the threads, but alas that's no longer an option, so... has anyone used a Thorn pad as an adult? How did it go?

My son has one for his shetland. We do use a non-slip pad as everything slips on that pony, but other than that it's amazing, and the pony's back is always soft and without tension or ouchy bits. I have a smaller New Forest coming back into work this winter, and a bigger one to back. Both will change shape quite a lot over the next few months, and I'm not sure I want to play, 'Oh no, the saddle doesn't fit....AGAIN!' all winter long. I don't tend to ride with weight in my stirrups, and rode the smaller NF in a bareback pad for most of her youth (nothing else would fit her!). Not sure whether to get a bareback pad again, or get one of these. I could do dressage in one of these though, which appeals.

 

[Elf On A Shelf]

If you are used to riding bareback then go for it. They are great saddles to ride in. I don't personally have a Thorn lad but I do have a Zoe Snape pad and have Milner Pads (I prefer the Milners!). They are great for balance and for using your legs and seat properly.

 

[sbloom]

They're not ideal for adults, some do get away with them but it's kind of against the law of physics. Used lightly, with as much groundwork as possible, you'll probably be okay, I would use at least a sheepskin underneath, if not some kind of hi tech foam, to spread the weight of the seatbones slightly. Zoe Snape would advise, she's made them for years and I'd rate her product.

 

[Pinkvboots]

I used to use saddle pads all the time at work us small light adults used them on the show ponies, I don't know which make they were but they were used with very thick sheep skin pads or a prolite type pad, they take some getting used to it's basically bareback with stirrups so you learn to ride properly fairly quickly or you fall off! Especially if the horse enjoys a buck or 2.