Your experience using a Stephens Eze Gel Pad?

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karen65

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Ive just bought one of these non slip saddle pads to try. My saddle is ony 3 yrs old and was fitted as new by a master saddler using a template. The saddle is a GFS close contact with moulded panels. the saddle does however slip forward 1-2" when I am riding in it. My saddler came out and suggested I have new girth straps fitted to the back of the skirt which would anchor it in place. They dont, it still moves. So I thought I'd try one of these Eze gel pads to see if it will help. If not, I intend to ask the saddler to come again and trade my saddle in for a flocked saddle. Would be interested to know anyones thought if you have used one of these pads. I was going to use it against the horses back underneath a thin cotton numnah. I cant use a crupper as my neddy has melanomas under the tail and I'm not keen on cruppers anway.
 
Daughter used to ride a SecA with a GFS GP saddle funnily enough, and the saddle would slide forward with rider in situ when pony stuck her head down (which she often used to do after a jump). We tried a Prolite non slip pad, and that worked well - we used it without a numnah for best results itseemed to stick to the saddle better than to a numnah other than our purple Numed one which seemed quite sticky anyway -think it had more shape to it, but tbh the best was a crupper which was OK as she was broken to drive and very used to it. Eventually she was schooled out of the head down, and we gradually dispensed with the crupper and the prolite we only used for jumping competitions in the end 'just in case'.
 
We use the Stephens Eze Gel Pad on our Exmoor who has no wither whatsoever, and an extra girth strap to the front and back of the saddle (5 straps in total) and it's brilliant. Just make sure that the numnah you use is securely attached to the saddle so that it doesn't move on top of the numnah. Having the sticky pad has made such a difference as the saddle doesn't move at all now (it had to be especially made for her as she is '4-extra wide'!) and the girth doesn't have to be done up as tight. One thing to remember though is not to drop the pad otherwise you could spend hours picking all the dirt off! Really couldn't recommend it enough.
 
we use on on our anglo, she has an arab belly and no shoulders so would always slip forwards.

she has recently had new saddle with a special tree for her but saddler that made it suggested sticking with the pad for the time being, we have it under a nuumed sheepskin atm. I think it does help as she doesnt like being girthed over tight either.

It just goes in a bucket of warm soapy water to rejuvenate stickiness.
 
I use one with my side saddle and my normal close contact saddle and tbh, it only helps a little. I had point straps put on both saddles and that keeps them anchored more than any "non slip" pad has. I don't really need to use the Stephens pad anymore due to the point straps but still use it "just incase".
 
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