VIP Pad

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Irishcob6

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Anyone got any experiences/reviews - thinking about purchasing one when a brown version is released in a couple of months but would like to hear real feedback first before splashing the cash!
 
There have been a couple of threads recently which you might look up. I have one which I bought because my mare is sensitive and can tighten her back. I am really pleased with it and feel it's made a difference. I looked at other makes eg acavallo and I have prolite pads but the VIP is quite different and IMO it does not affect the fit of the saddle.
 
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I didn't realise that they were going to be releasing a brown one. I'm glad that I've held off buying one, as shallow as it is one of the reasons was the colours as they are not to my personal liking.
 
TPO said:
I didn't realise that they were going to be releasing a brown one. I'm glad that I've held off buying one, as shallow as it is one of the reasons was the colours as they are not to my personal liking.
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Same - odd choice of colours! They've said on their FB page that they will be releasing a brown version within the first few months of 2020, so fingers crossed it's soon
 
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Lucy-Jay said:
I was looking at these for my KS horse but was told to stick with normal sheepskin..
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That's interesting. I discussed it with my hugely experienced physio and trainer, both are very cynical and tend to dismiss anything newish, both said they had clients that had used the VIP pad and found it made a big difference to the comfort of the horse. Like Sprat I have problems in my lower back and I can honestly say I am also much more comfortable and Rose seems a much happier softer horse since we started using it.
 
I have several thoughts:

I'm a big fan of sheepskin and it has more than one function so still my first choice but the saddle must be adjusted to suit.
I have several customers who have really liked the VIP.
It barely affects the fit of the saddle in most cases.
It's a 40 year old technology, there are more advanced materials but not easily obtainable in the UK (some US pads made with Poron XRD which is my fave material), but at least you can go and look up the performance figures independently of the VIP company.
I've seen it recommended by the makers for saddles that slip, yet they said it wouldn't pull at the skin and fascia, but when challenged there was no response.
 
One of mine has one and seems to like it a lot. We switched from memory foam pad as the VIP is a lot thinner. Our saddler did ay that the cut wouldn't suit a high withered horse though.
 
I have one for one of mine and I've found it's made quite a significant difference - he sometimes shows signs of being cold backed when you first got on, an he hasn't since wearing it and is a little less nappy which is either a coincidence or he is a more comfortable with it so happier to go forward :)
 
I did look at these but I can’t understand how a pad can keep a saddle from slipping and not effect the fascia .
if you have a KS horse this what you want avoid at all costs .
 
Goldenstar said:
I did look at these but I can’t understand how a pad can keep a saddle from slipping and not effect the fascia .
if you have a KS horse this what you want avoid at all costs .
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Hi, my understanding was that the pad is not supposed to stop the saddle slipping so I looked at their website. I found this under the FAQs. I've tried it directly onto Rose's back and also between the numnah and saddle, Rose seeme to prefer the latter.
WILL THE VIP STOP MY SADDLE SLIPPING?
Rider feedback frequently says that The VIP stops their saddle moving, but we don’t make this claim as the pad was not designed for this purpose.
 
Cragrat said:
sbloom - can I please ask what you like so much about Poron XRD? it is possible to buy sheets of it in the uk ..... :)
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See The Truth Tack Review on Youtube, and i you can manage to buy sheets of it let me know, I tried for 18 months via two resellers, to no avail. They're just not interested, it's made by a massive corporation, Rogers, who were helpful with me to begin with but after two resellers messed me about over several months Rogers stopped helping me too. And honestly, I'm quite a normal person, was honest that it would probably never be a big account, but they were happy to send me samples, just couldn't get them to give me any pricing information or minimum order value and they stopped answering phone calls and emails!
 
oldie48 said:
Rider feedback frequently says that The VIP stops their saddle moving, but we don’t make this claim as the pad was not designed for this purpose.
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Which is why I was a little uncomfortable with it being recommended, by them, for a slipping saddle, and why I was a bit frustrated that they didn't respond to me or an equine osteo.
 
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Ive seen it on Amazon too in different thicknesses. I have been looking at the VIP pad so really interest to know what thickness would be recommended in the Poron please? x
 
Cragrat said:
Thank you Leo and Sbloom.

I haven't bought it yet, but was going to try this link....
https://www.sevillacomponents.co.uk/poron-xrd-sheet

or

https://www.algeos.com/poron_xrd_black-abraded_on_one_side.html

ETA to say I've just ordered a sheet from the 2nd link - less than 1/2 the price of a VIP pad including VAT and postage - I'll let you know if it arrives!
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I'm a business so was trying to get supplied as such. I would be careful, 6mm thickness is half what Jen Hegeman recommends, though it will help I'm sure, be careful of heat build up, I would only use it with sheepskin or another decent breathable layer underneath. These things are not to be messed with.
 
Thank sbloom - I currently have a prolite of about 6mm with a Lemieux wool pad....so hopefully it will be ok <fingers crossed>
 
You'll definitely see some result from it, it won't be exactly the same as what is in the Jen X Equine and Toklat pads, with the abraded finish, but it will definitely help. Let us know how you get on with it :)
 
Cragrat, how did you get on with this? I'm interested in possibly buying some Poron XRD to use inside my shim pad instead of the foam that it has in now. I came across this thread when looking at the VIP pad but the Poron XRD looks an interesting alternative.
 
I bought the 3mm Poron sheets and made my own inserts. It cuts easily with scissors. I would have liked to purchase thicker sheets, but only 3mm was available. So, I cut a total of 3 inserts per side, thus a thickness of 9mm. Works fabulous! My endurance horses are much happier, and my back feels better too.
 
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