Need saddle pad advice, please

[natisha]

I'm going to a huge tack sale tomorrow & want to get my maybe new pony a pad of her own. Western. I like the contour back kinds.
Is it foolish to get one before I know what saddle will fit her?
Are there any brands/kinds to absolutely avoid?
My budget is $200 but that's not set in stone.
Thanks in advance for any help :)

[HeavensEast]

Are you going to the Waukesha County sale?

[natisha]

Are you going to the Waukesha County sale?Yep, do you need anything?

[WashingtonBay]

Well, your saddle may make a difference in the thickness of the pad, and also the shape. A square skirted pad will work with a rounded saddle, but a rounded pad looks tidier with a rounded skirt.

Any idea which you'll be getting?

[natisha]

Well, your saddle may make a difference in the thickness of the pad, and also the shape. A square skirted pad will work with a rounded saddle, but a rounded pad looks tidier with a rounded skirt.

Any idea which you'll be getting?I have both round & square skirt saddles. :(

[HeavensEast]

Yep, do you need anything?I don't need anything, but I would really like a nice rope halter & lead rope for KC.

[JackieB]

You can definitely buy the pad without worrying about the saddle. There are quite a number of high quality brands out there, but they all have one thing in common, in my opinion - 1" thick wool. Mine is from Tod Slone and costs about $175. http://slonesaddles.com/TodSloneSaddlePads.html

ETA - Oh, I guess you do need to consider the skirt on your saddle.

[natisha]

You can definitely buy the pad without worrying about the saddle. There are quite a number of high quality brands out there, but they all have one thing in common, in my opinion - 1" thick wool. Mine is from Tod Slone and costs about $175. http://slonesaddles.com/TodSloneSaddlePads.html

ETA - Oh, I guess you do need to consider the skirt on your saddle.Those pads are nice. I have one (not that brand) that is wool/felt on both sides with some kind of impact foam in the middle. It
not 1" though.
I've ridden in 1" pads & I thought it felt kind of floaty. Do you notice that?
On the Sloan pads- The opening in front over the withers has an attached piece in front? Does the withers stick up through the opening? Wouldn't the attached piece put pressure on the front of the withers? I can't quite figure out how that pad would be placed on a horse.

[natisha]

I don't need anything, but I would really like a nice rope halter & lead rope for KC.What color?

[mare]

Avoid gel. Any brand.

The cutbacks with the strap that goes across the front work well enough. I ride some horse whose owners use those. We pull them up just a smidge to ensure clearance and then, just like any pad, we make checks while we ride. Just like we do on all tack.

[JackieB]

I've ridden in 1" pads & I thought it felt kind of floaty. Do you notice that?

Does the withers stick up through the opening? Wouldn't the attached piece put pressure on the front of the withers?

I haven't noticed any "floaty" sensation, but I have a big, heavy Western saddle, so I might not notice.

It's not an attached piece in front, but a hole made by cutouts in the two halves of the pad. The pad is made from two pieces of felt sewn from front to back down the middle.

I haven't noticed it putting pressure on Buster and his withers definitely don't stick up through the hole. When I saddle him, I always pull up on that front area to make a pocket on top of his withers as well.

[HeavensEast]

What color?
Any color is fine (except orange, yellow, pink, green ;)), but I like blue and red. I think KC looks good in maroon.

[vicklynn]

I dont buy pads for my saddles until I have the saddle. I was lucky enough to have the one I needed for my new saddle. The others will not do at all, they would be to thick. So, I guess it depends on if you have multiple pads to go with multiple saddles, then you would be good.
Heck, I still have pads from my previous saddles...LOL. Hard to sell them, ya know that just in case moment.

[natisha]

I dont buy pads for my saddles until I have the saddle. I was lucky enough to have the one I needed for my new saddle. The others will not do at all, they would be to thick. So, I guess it depends on if you have multiple pads to go with multiple saddles, then you would be good.
Heck, I still have pads from my previous saddles...LOL. Hard to sell them, ya know that just in case moment.I do have a few nice pads, some so-so ones.
I think I have the saddle & I think I have the horse & I think maybe I should wait & get them all together.
Thanks everyone for your help. I have an idea now what to get. Just need to find out what shape. I hope I don't end up needing a new saddle too.

[natisha]

Any color is fine (except orange, yellow, pink, green ;)), but I like blue and red. I think KC looks good in maroon.OK but only if you'll be my Valentine? :)

[HeavensEast]

OK but only if you'll be my Valentine? :)Of course I'll be your valentine. :D

[3equines]

I've tried a lot of Western saddle pads and I really really like the SMX Air Ride pads the best. I was a diehard for the 100% wool felt kind before I started using the Air Ride pads. I have also used Impact Gel and a variety of the under- $100 types. The Air Ride pads are light, absorb a lot of shock and seem to breathe pretty well. They conform well to the shape of the horse and stay put, without any tacky stuff on the underside.

I have 3 kinds of the SMX pads in my tack collection, two of the lesser expensive barrel type (one Ortho Sport which has been a lifesaver for some saddle fit issues) plus a high-end one I bought for my fiancee's daughter's horse. It has the merino wool underside and Navajo blanket top, and is a little thicker than the barrel pads. Very nice pad, I got a smoking deal on it but would pay full price if I had the money in my pocket and the need.

Blue wearing her fancy new saddle pad:
http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/zz241/susnakela/adventures%20past/trail%20ridin/DSCF4264.jpg

[Equine_Woman]

I wouldn't buy a pad without seeing how the saddle fits a horse!! I learned that one thanks to my hard to fit horses!! I'm going to have to buy a reverse wedge for 2 out of 3. . . Wouldn't want to spend all that money on something your mare can't use!! Have fun shopping though!!!

[natisha]

I like the Air Rides but the blanket tops are always so big & I don't treat my pads very well. I like to hose them off & the blanket tops tend to bleed color & look shabby covered with dust.
I guess I'll just shop for my Valentine, for now.
I still kick myself for not trying on my saddles when we test rode the mare. I had them with me but it was so cold & the barn was smelly so I just wanted to leave.

[gabhainn]

Well like JackieB I am a big fan of the Tod Sloane pads, although I get them for about 135.00 not to sure I'd like em as much if I had to pay what he pays;), I replace my pads every year, so that could get expensive.....Kevin
eta they come in 1/2 and 3/4 inch as well

[3equines]

I like the Air Rides but the blanket tops are always so big & I don't treat my pads very well. I like to hose them off & the blanket tops tend to bleed color & look shabby covered with dust.
I guess I'll just shop for my Valentine, for now.
I still kick myself for not trying on my saddles when we test rode the mare. I had them with me but it was so cold & the barn was smelly so I just wanted to leave.


Then the canvas top barrel pads would be just your thing, they wash up real good! And they are about $50 less than the blanket top. I don't like the weird 'new' color patterns they are being sold in, but you can still find some of the solid colors.

http://www.valleyvet.com/ct_detail.html?pgguid=30E0704A-7B6A-11D5-A192-00B0D0204AE5&item=24150&ccd=IFH003&utm_source=froogle&utm_medium=free&utm_content=24150

[Reinmaker]

Wonpad

[Tiz]

Reinmaker, you're really that busy?!?!?!:p

Take a few minutes sometime and do an update on your life thread, OK? I wonder how you're doing often.:)

[TLC97]

Avoid gel. Any brand.

.

Why?

[natisha]

Reinmaker, you're really that busy?!?!?!:p

Take a few minutes sometime and do an update on your life thread, OK? I wonder how you're doing often.:)Yes!!! We miss you.

[zoel_222]

I really like the 5 star pads. I paid $175? I think for it. I can't remember. I've had the same one for about 5 years and it's still going strong and looks great. Mine looks like this only blue
http://www.smithbrothers.com/product.asp?pn=X3-19261A&sid=froogle&CATALOG_CODE=SX807&EID=X3807001&zmam=1460880&zmas=2&zmac=51&zmap=X3-19261A&bhcd2=1297640620

I like the thick wool/felt pads that are contoured. I don't really like fleece or those weird synthetic materials.

[mare]

Why?

Gel holds heat. Gel, over time, moves and settles. When it is used in wheelchair cushions, manufacturers say to remove and re-knead once an hour. If a person develops a pressure or heat area, manufacturers just say something on the line of "Well, you must not have followed our recommendations." They are not good enough for people, so I will not use them on horses, either. The horses I ride are working pretty hard.

I know a couple ranchers who were given gel pads as gifts from their kids. Both had problems with their horses backs getting pressure areas, etc. Neither had problems before or after using gel. Only when using the gel pads. The pads were quite expensive, too.

With all the other good options why bother with it?

[Reinmaker]

Reinmaker, you're really that busy?!?!?!:p

Take a few minutes sometime and do an update on your life thread, OK? I wonder how you're doing often.:)

It sure feels like it sometimes, Tiz. I feel like I have barely stopped since I got here. I will do an update in the horsechat forum though. Thanks for inquiring.

[WashingtonBay]

Gel holds heat. Gel, over time, moves and settles. When it is used in wheelchair cushions, manufacturers say to remove and re-knead once an hour. If a person develops a pressure or heat area, manufacturers just say something on the line of "Well, you must not have followed our recommendations." They are not good enough for people, so I will not use them on horses, either. The horses I ride are working pretty hard.

I know a couple ranchers who were given gel pads as gifts from their kids. Both had problems with their horses backs getting pressure areas, etc. Neither had problems before or after using gel. Only when using the gel pads. The pads were quite expensive, too.

With all the other good options why bother with it?

My experience with gelpads too. They move out of the way of pressure, and while that sounds like the right thing, it's not. A good pad doesn't just mash down or move out of the way of pressure points, it offers resistance and distributes the pressure over a wider area.

If you press against a gel pad, it will feel cushy to a point, then you will just push right on through it and feel whatever is beneath.

[natisha]

I really like the 5 star pads. I paid $175? I think for it. I can't remember. I've had the same one for about 5 years and it's still going strong and looks great. Mine looks like this only blue
http://www.smithbrothers.com/product.asp?pn=X3-19261A&sid=froogle&CATALOG_CODE=SX807&EID=X3807001&zmam=1460880&zmas=2&zmac=51&zmap=X3-19261A&bhcd2=1297640620

I like the thick wool/felt pads that are contoured. I don't really like fleece or those weird synthetic materials.After doing some research & listening to you guys, thanks, I am going to go with the 5 star. Now I just need the stinkin' horse so I can figure out what saddle to use. I hope I don't need a new saddle or I'll have to sell the horse to buy it.;)
http://www.5starequineproducts.com/SaddlePadsArticle.html

[zoel_222]

Yay! I win :D

[natisha]

Yay! I win :DYes you do! And the lucky winner gets to buy me the pad! I love this contest.:p

[gabhainn]

I really like the 5 star pads.
I like them too but there isnt a hairs difference between them ( to me) and the tod sloane pads quality wise, so I save the 40 or so extra bucks......Kevin

[zoel_222]

Hey Natisha, I think ya got that backwards. I win, you're supposed to buy ME the pad. ;)

I like them too but there isnt a hairs difference between them ( to me) and the tod sloane pads quality wise, so I save the 40 or so extra bucks......Kevin

I haven't tried those ones, but I bet you're right. I've seen a couple other brands in other people's tack rooms and tack stores and they feel pretty much the same. I've had this saddle pad for 5 years, and I'll probably get another 5 years out of it. The only thing that looks off about it is the dye from my black saddle has stained the leather wears.

And my dad actually paid for it, so technically mine was cheaper than yours :p

[natisha]

I like them too but there isnt a hairs difference between them ( to me) and the tod sloane pads quality wise, so I save the 40 or so extra bucks......KevinI did check out the Slone pads too. They have a base price then up to $50 for a color besides natural so it comes out about the same. They can get real fancy which is nice.

[natisha]

Hey Natisha, I think ya got that backwards. I win, you're supposed to buy ME the pad. ;)
I guess you didn't read the fine print-Sorry:innocent:
[all prizes will be awarded to the starter of the thread]

[3equines]

I think 5 star makes some damn nice wool pads, worth the money, and wool is a failproof way to go when it comes to pads.