Half pads

[Gliderider]

Ok got another question. If your saddle fits ok do some still use a half pad to make it more cozy to the horse ? This English stuff is all new to me it sure is different then western. I see lots of pictures with people using them and was just wondering. Thanks

[HeartofSteel]

It really depends on the type of half pad. A plain saddle pad is perfectly comfy for the horse if your saddle fits correctly. Some of the thicker half pads can alter your saddle fit and make it to narrow.

[Gliderider]

Ahh I see I bet they would make my saddle to narrow. Right now with a thin type schooling pad it fits well. I was thinking of getting a fitted fleece one or one of the waffle neoprene type that country supply has. I use the western ones and have had good luck with them. They are so easy to clean.

[HeartofSteel]

Just a plain quilted pad does nicely. If it is a baby pad then they are usually thinner and I would suggest getting a regular quilted one. :)

[Gliderider]

Hmm I am not sure if its a baby pad or not. It is thin. I am pretty sure when I bought it they called it a schooling pad. I bought it sometime ago to use it under my saddleseat saddle for practice to save the saddle leather from getting sweatie all the time. Hopefully Santa will bring Prize a nice new one his own. :)

[WashingtonBay]

I think for an hour or even two of arena schooling and a saddle with new, fairly soft panels (wool flocking tends to get hard over time) No other padding or cushion should be needed with a well fitting saddle.

BUT, I think for all day on trail, for longer or harder riding, more cushion might be needed to prevent soreness. I use a thick fleece and a cashell under mine for trail. Now, if the cashell weren't needed for Bay's low back, I might get by without it, but IMHO some kind of good shock absorbing pad would be advised for horse comfort on long rides. The square quilted pads really don't provide any useful padding, their purpose is mostly decorative and to keep the saddle clean.

[luvs2ride1979]

It's just a fashion statement for most people. If your saddle fits without a pad, then adding a thick half pad can actually makes things uncomfortable for your horse. It's like putting on thick socks and wearing shoes that fit well with thinner ones. It's okay and even cushy for a bit, but after a while your feet start to get sweaty and cramped.

If you want real cushion, to absorb shock and prevent soreness, then look for an open cell foam pad, like Skito (http://www.aretesaddlery.com/tack/skito-pads/cat_14.html), ThinLine (http://www.aretesaddlery.com/tack/thinline-pads/english-pads/cat_16.html), Cloud Nine (http://www.cloudninesaddlepads.com/), Equipedic (http://www.equipedic.com), etc. Open cell foams do more for absorbing shock than closed cell foams (like neoprene) or gel. Plus they circulate air, keeping your horse's back cooler during a workout. Even a dense open cell like ThinLine will move some air to prevent heat build up.

If you want to go with sheepskin, look for an UNDYED medical grade merino sheepskin. It will be a natural off-white to tannish color. Dying the fur breaks it down, giving it less loft and less cushion. Engel (http://www.aretesaddlery.com/tack/sheepskin-saddle-pads/half-contour-pads/white-half-pad-on-sale-/prod_273.html) uses medical grade sheepskin, as does Christ (http://www.horsedreamimporters.com/).

Or, just buy a full piece of sheepskin and cut your own pad! You don't NEED a quilted backing, and your saddle should stick to the sheepskin well enough to not need billets.
http://glaciertradingco.com/index.php?page=items&submenu_id=8

[cloedoll]

I think it all depends on the saddle fit and type of riding you're going to be doing (i.e. jumping five foot fences is obviously a ton different than schooling on the flat). If your saddle fits and has cushy panels, you probably don't even need a pad for schooling on the flat or trail riding - maybe just a thin square pad to keep dirt, sweat, etc. off of your saddle. However, lets say you are planning on jumping a certain day, I think you might want extra cushion for your horse's back because obviously there's going to be a lot more weight coming down in the saddle vs. no jumping. As far as half pads go, there are a lot of different ones and I think people mostly use them because it's a style at the moment. They do have some benefits, though - they are obviously half of a full pad and that doesn't cause as much heat build up (in my opinion). Of course there are exceptions to that because there are a lot of different materials half pads are made out of. If you tell us the kind of riding you'll be doing, I'm sure one of us can help you find a good half pad (if that's what you want) after you purchase your saddle because if your saddle fits perfectly, you do not want a thick pad at all, if your saddle is maybe a touch too wide, you could probably get a thicker half pad and I think you see where I am going with this. =P

[Gliderider]

wow lots of good info everybody thanks. Right now I am only schooling for one or two hours on the flat in a ring but hope to eventually to trail ride in my english instead of western all the time. His saddle fits well and is new but is a cheaper saddle. Someday I will get a better brand this was just one to get started in to be sure I was going to like English. What do you all think of these pads there more in my price range for now ?

http://www.horse.com/English-Tack/English-Saddle-Pads/Pro-Craft-NewBreed-English-Saddle-Pad-EIA10.html



http://www.horse.com/English-Tack/English-Saddle-Pads/Pro-Craft-Double-Sided-Waffle-Weave-Pad-EIM16.html

http://www.horse.com/English-Tack/English-Saddle-Pads/Pro-Craft-Absorber-Fleece-Ultra-Foam-English-Pad-EIO03.html

I really like this one in Turquoise
http://www.statelinetack.com/itemdy00.asp?T1=SLT722784%20HLM

This one looks snuggly
http://www.statelinetack.com/itemdy00.asp?T1=SLT700898%20BLU

These are just a few I have looked at. I have cabin fever already this winter not good. Can't wait for good riding weather again. SO I been busying myself looking for needed tack ;)

[cloedoll]

I think WBay might have mentioned this, but when looking at pads like a few you posted, she (and I think it's a good point) likes to be able to feel how easily the pad compresses and stuff like that. Some look real nice and fluffy, but just go squish. xD

http://www.statelinetack.com/itemdy00.asp?T1=SLT700898%20BLU

I actually do really like these.

I would start out with just using a thin square pad (like this (http://www.doversaddlery.com/product.asp?pn=X1-1976&idu=1ACA8F8U3JKX&ids=243797332&bhcd2=1228589425)) and see how your horse responds. Is it sore? Any resentment to girthing up (meaning, the next ride)? Any acting out under saddle? I mean, if your saddle fits you shouldn't have those problems, but that could indicate that maybe the panels are hard and you need a more supportive pad.

[Gliderider]

Thanks Cloe. Yeah good point about liking to feel the pads. I thought that one you liked looked really nice and cozy to. I do have one of those schooling like pads you posted. I have been using it on him with no problems but I have not worked him very hard with it yet. Which with this weather that won't happen now till spring.