Cavallo saddle pads

[3equines]

Amazon.com: Cavallo Western Built-Up Therapeutic Saddle Pad: Sports & Outdoors

http://www.statelinetack.com/item/cavallo-western-built-up-saddle-pad/E001031/

another pad that might be useful with high withers/ muscle atrophy behind the shoulder. I would definitely need to see, touch, and examine a pad at that price before buying. But it looks like it offers more of a contoured build-up instead of just a bump or bubble. Which would work well on Thunder, the Western FQHB fits the line of his back and shoulders well without pinching, it just sits too low on him and there is not enough space between the underside of the fork and his withers.

So, what do y'all think? Anybody have any of the Cavallo pads?

[WashingtonBay]

Looks like the right idea.... haven't felt one in person though...

[vicklynn]

It does look like it has some good padding. The price, wow, those are almost $200.00 bucks. Worth the money if they work.
I also have never felt one. Sorry, no help here.

[3equines]

If I end up really really wanting it I would hunt around for bargains. Jeffers Equine and Valley Vet carry them, and both companies put out coupons and promos on Cavallo products from time to time. If DOuble H (Western store and tack retailer in Salem) carries them they send out cool coupons - I got $50 off coupon (any item over $150) that helped me get my sweetie a new Resistol hat for Christmas (to go with the saddle;)).
Anyhow, sweetheart's birthday is in March and we won't be doing any hard riding before then. I would like to get a good therapeutic pad for his horse for his birthday. I may still end up making my own version ;).

[Tiz]

I am appalled by the price of saddle pads. What the heck! They cost more than my first car. Robbers.

I saw a pad in Jeffer's holiday catalog this morning and thought of you, 3. Page 54, Cashel swayback cushion pad $89.95

[3equines]

I am appalled by the price of saddle pads. What the heck! They cost more than my first car. Robbers.

I saw a pad in Jeffer's holiday catalog this morning and thought of you, 3. Page 54, Cashel swayback cushion pad $89.95


LOL I never buy new clothes, seriously, my wardrobe sucks (except I have good shoes but none for dress up). But I can spend money on horse tack without thinking twice. Still, $200 for a saddle pad is just a bit too much.

I don't like the Cashel pads because they have no spine clearance. I love their foam, though. But, after having problems with saddles rubbing the loins on my late Arabian, Taz, spine clearance is of very high value to me when I look at saddle pad and saddle fit. I love the SMX pads so much because the have excellent spine clearance along with being tough as nails and good shock absorption.

[Tiz]

But, remember Taz and Thunder don't have length of back in common, so maybe it would work.

[madelequestrian]

The PF Rider Cashel pads come in several different sizes and shapes to fit horses. If your horse is very short back then make sure that you are ordering the smaller size (30x32 or the 32x34 contoured canvas and fleece, not the 34x36). As far as spine clearance are you talking about a contour? The fleece bottom Cashel pads are contoured and fit a short backed horse better. Plus the fleece bottom helps prevent rubs better than the felt bottom. Eye Brow Cat is EXTREMELY short backed (ridiculously so- think 13.3h welsh pony style short backed) and I can use both the 30x32 regular pf rider and the 32x34 fleece bottom. Neither pad pushes on his spine at all and neither one leave rubs on his hips even though my saddle rides right up to them.
If your saddle's angles are correct to fit the horse and the tree is just too wide all the way down you can also call and special order a thicker PF rider that works great! They use a 1" Cashel foam + 1/4" wool instead of the normal 3/4" foam with 1/4" wool. We use it a lot with narrow colts that are still growing.

[madelequestrian]

Also forgot to mention, I used to have the Cavallo bridge pad (not the high withers like you're thinking but same style I believe) and I didn't like it at all. I ended up giving it away like 2 weeks after buying it. The "extra" support just squishes into nothing and isn't much to begin with anyway.

[3equines]

Also forgot to mention, I used to have the Cavallo bridge pad (not the high withers like you're thinking but same style I believe) and I didn't like it at all. I ended up giving it away like 2 weeks after buying it. The "extra" support just squishes into nothing and isn't much to begin with anyway.


That is what I was afraid of - they use memory foam in the core. The Tucker bridge pads are memory foam and I got my hands on one -squishes down to 1/8" thick. What is up with people who design saddle pads? Do they really ride? And do they really think they can keep selling pads at horrendous prices once people find out they don't really work???

I'll look into the Cashel pads - affordable and worth trying out, I do love the foam they use.

[CowgirlUp]

I have used the Cavallo All-Purpose Western saddle pad on both my horses for the last year and I would never use another pad again. I initially purchased the pad for my mare, I had started her in training and with the increased riding time I had noticed her getting a little sore. I was a little wary about the thinness of the pad at first but it alleviated all of her discomfort while still allowing for a nice close-contact when I ride. The memory foam allows the pad to fill in the gaps where it needs to and compresses where the saddle is a little tighter. It also allows for increased movement, a fact I noticed immediately on my younger gelding. The amount of movement I got out of him when I switched him to the Cavallo pad was unbelievable, the pad allowed him to get his shoulders back without meeting the restriction of my old pad. I have a friend who uses the built-up pad that is meant to compensate for a saddle that tips foward at the withers and the has helped balance out her saddle and eliminated the sore withers her horse was experiencing. I would definitely recommend trying the Cavallo saddle pads!

[3equines]

I have used the Cavallo All-Purpose Western saddle pad on both my horses for the last year and I would never use another pad again. I initially purchased the pad for my mare, I had started her in training and with the increased riding time I had noticed her getting a little sore. I was a little wary about the thinness of the pad at first but it alleviated all of her discomfort while still allowing for a nice close-contact when I ride. The memory foam allows the pad to fill in the gaps where it needs to and compresses where the saddle is a little tighter. It also allows for increased movement, a fact I noticed immediately on my younger gelding. The amount of movement I got out of him when I switched him to the Cavallo pad was unbelievable, the pad allowed him to get his shoulders back without meeting the restriction of my old pad. I have a friend who uses the built-up pad that is meant to compensate for a saddle that tips foward at the withers and the has helped balance out her saddle and eliminated the sore withers her horse was experiencing. I would definitely recommend trying the Cavallo saddle pads!


Thanks for the info! I am considering using the English style one that is built up in the front to use as a second pad under the Western saddle. Thunder really does need a full 3/4" to 1" pad for the way he is built and the kind of heavy loads he carries on the trail.

[AUEquine]

I wonder how much that pad differs from the LamiCell pads.
http://www.kvsupply.com/KVVet/productr.asp?pf_id=91266&0=dept.asp%2Cdept_id%3D9000%26Tree%3D%2CCompleteCa talog&1=dept.asp%2Cdept_id%3D40000%26Tree%3D%2CEquine&2=dept.asp%2Cdept_id%3D42400%26Tree%3D%2CSaddle%20 Pads%20%26%20Blankets&3=dept.asp%2Cdept_id%3D42404%26Tree%3D%2CWestern%2 0Pads&refcode=Froogle&URLCheck=1

I have used the lamicell pads before and like them, as did my horses.
The idea of using an english riser pad under your western saddle pad sounds interesting.
For a good sturdy 1" pad, have you ever looked at WonPads? They're neoprene, I love it, some hate it. But these pads hold up amazing!

[3equines]

I have used the lamicell pads before and like them, as did my horses.
The idea of using an english riser pad under your western saddle pad sounds interesting.
For a good sturdy 1" pad, have you ever looked at WonPads? They're neoprene, I love it, some hate it. But these pads hold up amazing!

I actually saw the idea implemented at a lessons barn I rode at for awhile, with the foam Wintec riser pad - it fit right into the gullet of the Western saddle and stayed in place, the advantage was better leg contact than you would have with two thick Western pads. I like the concept of adjusting saddle fit where it is needed the most - under the bars - and not riding on excess bulk.

I was a bit curious about the Lami Cell pads, seen them around for awhile but I don't think they have the built up front part I need. Right now Thunder has a pretty nice heavy duty Impact Gel pad with 3/4" wool felt plus the gel, it is the right amount of padding for him but he could use some lift to help clear his withers.