Thorn Show Saddle Pads.

[acorn92x]

I'm thinking about buying on these for my Highland pony who is extremely wide who dumbfounds all saddle fitters that visit her. She currently wears a Copperbeech treeless saddle but I want to start doing some ridden showing with her (This is a work in progress - she is 5 and still very green so this will likely be next year. We'll spend the winter doing some very low level Dressage, fun rides and other nice things to get her out and about) and this isn't really suitable for what I want.

I was wondering if any of you have ridden or used one of these as I'm thinking about taking the plunge and getting one. They seem to have received fantastic reviews from owners of wide and Native ponies and horses and they look quite nice too. Obviously the main thing would be that it was comfortable for my girl but I'm quite hopeful that it would be!

Has anyone had experience with these?

 

[Highlands]

Where are you based? Julie Roberston is a highland owner ( x2- two geldings) she fits Lavina Mitchell and understands the highland physique! Remember your mare will change and muscle up. Mine personally are in ideal H&C but both older and well ridden ponies not babies ( my 4 year old will be in a normal comfort saddle not fully finished growing and just been sat on)

 

[acorn92x]

I'm based in Surrey. Would she travel to here if not based locally do you know? The fact that she'll change shape makes me want something that is relatively adaptable and the Thorn pads are about the most adaptable beings I've seen for chunkies!

 

[exmoorponyprincess1]

I use Zoe Snape Shetland pads on my Exmoors (Zoe has made them with longer flaps to suit the Exmoor body) - very similar to the Thorn but all suede (combined with suede jodhs I hope I am stuck on like Velcro!) - I know that the Exmoor called Bob who does workers competes in a thorn pad and has done for some time - he was reserve champ at Hoys for his height group last year and has qualified again this year
I had terrible trouble getting saddles to fit my Exmoors and have been using pads for about a year now and haven't looked back...my back lady is also delighted with my pony now, no manipulation required (something was always out of alignment when I used a professionally fitted saddle) and no pain or pressure points either!
They will also enable you to build the correct muscles in your horse through proper work as don't restrict muscular development.
Good luck!

 

[Highlands]

I'm based in Surrey. Would she travel to here if not based locally do you know? The fact that she'll change shape makes me want something that is relatively adaptable and the Thorn pads are about the most adaptable beings I've seen for chunkies!

She is near Farnham in Surrey

http://www.jrsaddles.co.uk/index.htm

 

[acorn92x]

She is near Farnham in Surrey

http://www.jrsaddles.co.uk/index.htm

This sounds fantastic but the price of the saddles is a bit scary if I'm being honest! I hadn't ruled out spending that much as obviously, if it's comfortable for my girl and me and it'll do us many years of service hopefully With the rigt care and attention obviously!)

I'm still very keen to investigate these pads though, exmoorponyprincess1, you seem to peak very highly of them too! I'm going to give Amanda Wilson, who makes the Thorn pads, a call today and see what information she can tell me and whether I still think they'd be a good choice for my girl and me.

I'll update this thread with progress - many thanks for your advice so far! Are there anymore comments or experiences to follow on from what has already been said?

 

[MotherOfChickens]

with the pads-how are the stirrup bars attached and how do they not cause pressure points when used regularly for faster/harder work? I am not anti-pads, but neither of mine have stirrups (also have exmoors!).

 

[NativePonyLover]

I've never heard of a Thorn pad before, but I have a wide native too, so any post like this strikes my interest! I've just done a Google search & they look very interesting - far more like a saddle than most pads I've seen.

Stupid question - do they feel like riding in a saddle or more like a bareback pad?!

OP - could you let me know how you get on with it please?

 

[acorn92x]

I've never heard of a Thorn pad before, but I have a wide native too, so any post like this strikes my interest! I've just done a Google search & they look very interesting - far more like a saddle than most pads I've seen.

Stupid question - do they feel like riding in a saddle or more like a bareback pad?!

OP - could you let me know how you get on with it please?

I gave Amanda Wilson who makes these saddle a call and she was extremely helpful. If you Google "Bob the Exmoor", you'll probably get some links of interest that show te Exmoor who was reserve champon in the workers at the HOYS last year wearing one of these (Many thanks for letting me in on this, exmoorponyprincess1!) and I found it almost impossible to distinguish the pad he was wearing from a traditional saddle.

NativePonyLover, I've never actually ridden in one, but after speaking to Amanda and speaking to some of the advocates in the Highland pony groups on Facebook, I understand they feel more like a saddle but with more "Feel" if that makes sense? I'm very curious as to what they feel like! I've only ridden in a treeless on for quite a long time now so I'm quite intruiged! Anyway, I'm 99.999999% sure that I'm going to take the plunge and buy one. The model I'll be buying is £320.00 but there are cheaper models available. Just need to measure my little porker up to see what size girth she'll need (Apparently a custom made one is not essential but I won't be able to use the one on her current saddle and the girths I have left over from when I had my old mare will be far too short to go round her!). Conventional stirrup leathers are fine and I've just enquired whether specialist numnahs or pads are necessary (Forgot to ask this on the phone..dohhh!).

Eeeek! I'm quite excited! Updates to follow!