Those who use saddle pads

RachelB

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Question for those who use saddle pads - what do you use? I know a few people who use Prolite pads, and a few who use sheepskin half pads, and a few who use half-lined sheepskin numnahs. I know there is a lot of choice out there! What do you use and why?
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I use this

http://www.horsehealthwessex.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=1_73&products_id=273

Thin, lightweight, sticky and washable.

With my Stubben I use the gel eze and a polypad, with my dressage saddle a saddle cloth and the gel eze.

I put the gel eze on the horse, then the numnah then the saddle.

Have tried the half sheepskin numnham [too thick], prolite dressge [not wide enough at the back of the saddle], NuuMed hald sheepskin numnhah [just didnt sit right for me] ...

Hb
 
i use a prolite pad under both my saddles, love them, and they offer so much protection (i stood on my brothers hands with the prolite covering his hands, and it didnt hurt him at all as the prolite absorbsed my wieght!!!)
i also have a sheepskin half pad, but dont useit any more, they are very thick and really lift the saddle off the back, plus mine rubbed the hair off my boys back
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I have a couple of lambswool numnah for my older mare - the ones I use are not too thick like some of the makes. The others all have a mixture of thin padded numnahs. I dont really like saddle pads and prefer the look of numnahs
 
On my Barry dressage saddle I use a thin high wither pad, three bits of gamgee layered (on advise from Barry himself!)and a Nuumed sheepskin half pad which stays attached to the saddle.

On my Fusion Jumping saddle I use a geleze, saddle pad and a Prolite wide relief as my boy pushes everything right back because hes shoulders are big.
 
Mine has just a thin Numed or Mark Todd Dr square under his dr saddle, and either a sheepskin half pad or a wide prolite pad under his Jump saddles with a cotton square underneath
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I use a prolite, bought it when they first came out and it's still going strong, so well worth the money.

The saddler recommended it when I bought a new saddle for my previous horse, he said to always use them under every saddle, so its had some hammer.

Also another lady who I know who works for Thorowgood said yes carry on using it, who fitted my saddle for Mack.

But I've heard mixed reports, some people say pads alter the the way your saddle fits your horse and that a well fitted saddle should not require any kind of pad, but surely thick saddle cloths do as well?

I've got another saddlefitter coming to check my saddle in Nov to make sure everything is ok...so I will mention this to her and also about elasticated girths (at one end) and see what her comments are.
 
Things like Prolites with the spine in them dont ajust the width as there is nothing narrowing the gullet. Things like Prolite pads arent great IMHO cos the close the gap in the gullet and can make saddles tight.
 
Yes I see what you mean, so would you suggest not using a pad at all then....or a pad without a spine in?, any makes that you would recomend?
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Sorry I meant to say things like Poly Pads arent great!! oops!! Love Prolite pads, or the "old fashioned" gel pads work really well as they sit flat to the horses back, so just act as a shock absorbing layer
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I also use a sheepskin half pad (one of the le Mieux ones) as they are breathable, and pad my saddle out which is fractionally too wide
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But the prolite pad has got a kinda spine thing on it hasnt it?

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now I'm puzzled *scratches blonde head*...have they changed them since I bought mine?
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hang on I'll see if I can find a link with it on and you can tell me if its the wrong one
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....be right back!
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...................................................am back!!

its this one, but the long releif pad (other horse was a TB) can you get pads without the middle spine bit in then?

http://www.prolitepads.com/products/reliefpads/reliefpads.htm
 
Sorry, meant to say the ones with spines are good, the ones like Poly pads arent good as they fill in the gullet and narrow the gap round the horses wither. Sorry, that was me being dense!!!! Prolite pads ARE good
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Poly pads/hick squishy things with no spine are not so good!!
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[ QUOTE ]
Things like Prolites with the spine in them dont ajust the width as there is nothing narrowing the gullet. Things like Prolite pads arent great IMHO cos the close the gap in the gullet and can make saddles tight.

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was really shocked as my prolite pad has no spine for just that reason!!!! agree with the poly pad comment but cant fault my prolite!!!
 
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I also use a sheepskin half pad (one of the le Mieux ones) as they are breathable, and pad my saddle out which is fractionally too wide

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Like KatB I also use a Le Mieux sheepskin half pad with eaither a griffin hiither saddle cloth underneath or a Mattes saddlecloth underneath. Both of these saddlecloths (as well as the hlaf pad) can be pulled right up so there is no pressure on the spine - so ofyen I see horses with numnahs that are presssing down on the withers and back. My filly is 3 and a half and the saddle has been fitted with the half pad in place - not just added because it looks nice - as a thick pad like this will change the fit of a saddle.She is very lucky to have a new Amerigo dressage saddle which we both love!
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We use a prolite non-slip pad, for the shock absorbing properties and the stabilising effect. I know the shock absorbing is not so good with the non slip, but there you go. a compromise.
 
i use a memoform pad under my hosres saddle. The underside moulds to the shape of my horse and the upper side to the shape of my saddle and it basically fils in the gaps inbetween. if the fit is good then it compacts to virtually nothing which is great because it does not "perch" the saddle although anything between your horse and the saddle is of course going to adjust the fit in varying degrees.

It is also shock absorbing which i like and retains the shock absorbing properties even when compacted to allow for a good fit between saddle and horse and it also wicks away moisture.

it can be used with or without a saddle cloth. i used it for a week on its own and the saddle didnt slip and at the time my novice was spending alot of time on two legs!
 
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