Thorn pads

[Laura2408]

Probably been asked before but I wondered if anyone had experience of one of these pads in place of a traditional saddle?

How are they to ride in and is it easy enough to sit anything other than a walk in one?

My fell has a huge shoulder which even straight cut saddles seem to sit over and is constantly changing shape and I don't have the money to be constantly changing saddles so I am looking for an alternative that will keep both of us happy!

 

[MouseInLux]

My daughter got one as her first “saddle” she rode in it almost exclusively for the past 2 years (until she got her current pony). She learned to jump in one. This is her in a jumping lesson on one. https://youtu.be/AazYAeFUugU
I bought the pad so she would have something decent to ride in at her lessons as the ponies she was riding only had cub saddles. Now the riding school own 3 of them and is looking to add to the collection.

 

[Shay]

Several of our very young folk hunt off the lead rein in thorn pads. As Mouse says - they are a better alternative to a cub saddle. I presume like anything it takes practice but the kids seem to stick like glue!

 

[ester]

Those that have had trouble seem to be adults on larger natives not kids on ponies, then people seem to get trouble with uneven pressure/stirrup bars if used as their only saddle so I do think it depends how much you weigh.

 

[rara007]

They’re also pretty easy to slip round on as it’s onlh your balance keeping the saddle on top!

For anyone over 5 stone (and below too really) I don’t think the total lack of pressure from stirrup distribution is a sensible option. More expensive but a proper treeless combats this. I don’t think you can BD in a thorn either, and some showing societies are clamping down.

 

[MouseInLux]

They’re also pretty easy to slip round on as it’s onlh your balance keeping the saddle on top!
.

I find that with the native ponies they stay put better than the more sports pony ripe build

 

[MotherOfChickens]

OP I've also had trouble finding a saddle for a Fell with a large shoulder. Recently took a punt on a Tekna club GP with an XW gullet (he's been an XXW in everything else) and it fits well. not done masses in it yet but really pleased with it and you can find them for less than £200 secondhand.

 

[Fransurrey]

I've had one for about 3 years, now. Ny older Exmoor was losing muscle with age and I had no success with changeable gullets so I took the plunge. I don't compete but I know plenty of adults who do. I have a hip saver on mine to add extra twist and love it. It's used on both Exmoor ponies and I miunt from the ground with no trouble. Had no slippage issues either with a Le Mieux saddle cloth plus prolite pad or Christ Lammefelle pad. I find I have a great close contact feel and feel very secure in it. Without the pad it's like riding bareback, but I have a dodgy coccyx so rarely do that these days. The hip saver forms a lovely cushion once it's warmed up!

 

[Hipo]

We have a Thorn pad for the Exmoor as I couldn't find a regular saddle that would fit her and didn't have a small fortune for made to measure. It's great, easy to ride in and we do everything in it. Our Highland has an Ideal Ramsey, which fits him well as they are quite close.

 

[Slightlyconfused]

A friend has one on her welsh c. She jumps and has done xc lesson in it.
Ive ridden in it too, im 8st and 5'6, and it will show up all your faults you rely on a saddle for.
Really teaches yiu how to sit.

She uses a padded prolite pad under it to give extra cushioning for the back and the pony is more than happy to be ridden.

 

[Elf On A Shelf]

I ride in them all the time. Not thorn pads but Snape or Milner pads which are the same idea. Milner was the original Shetland pony pad. You really need to be balanced and use your legs and seat correctly in them to be able to ride in them. They teach you a lot!!!

 

[sbloom]

Even pads can run forwards, I know someone currently looking for a grip pad for one. It is usually possible to get even a GP saddle for a native with big shoulders, I find it's the tree shape and fit that matters the most, you just need the right one and a fitter experienced with natives.

Some horses do truly change shape every season, and back again, but some change because their saddle is never quite right and they're always growing into it, then shrinking away from it, if that makes sense. Sometimes a better saddle means they change a lot less. I find that a good shim pad, I only like the Mattes ones, can be brilliant in these instances, and a good fitter to advise you in between fittings.

 

[HorseMad91]

I can honestly say my thorn pad was one of the best things I have bought. I bought it to use on my youngster as he hates alot of weight on his back and he so much happy. I also now use it on my daughter's Welsh section B and on my Welsh section c. We use a saddle cloth under it and a sheepskin gel half pad and it's never moved. The horses move so much better in the thorn pad as it's freed up their shoulders. I found it took a few times of me riding in it to get use to it but now I wouldn't be without it.