Other options besides sheepskin for pad?

[mbm]

my mare is uber sensitive. i have been riding her with a Mates fitted pad w/sheepskin just under the saddle (not down the sides - so like a half pad) this works very well - but - i would like less bulk and a more close contact feel.

i am not really looking to deaden my seat - just a little added softness etc between her back and the saddle.

any ideas?

[Ambrey]

Thinline?

[Kota]

I've found Fleeceworks pad to be thinner than Mattes.

[Carolinadreamin']

Just switched from Fleeceworks to a Thinline. Very happy with the change, we noticed a difference in our horse.

[Dressage Art]

Thinline for winter
Supracor for summer http://www.supracor.com/equestrian.htm
they both lasts longer than sheepskin and they are easier to take care.

[mbm]

do you use these pads alone or under/over something else?

[Mallard]

I use the Griffin NuuMed half wool quilted cotton pads.

http://www.rideaway.co.uk/index2.php3?sessionid=5da31caab771e6b1422f3db64619 8945&page=showprod&uact=shop&catcode1=NG&catcode2=HWL

The wool is not as thick as the Mattes/Fleeceworks pads.
They wash up well. I have a couple of them that are 8 yeas old and the wool is like new.
I prefer the shaped pads as I ride a pony and the square ones are a bit big for him.
Not sure where you can get them in the US.
I am in Canada and order them from the UK or search on the UK ebay

[butlerfamilyzoo]

I use my thinline over a thin cotton pad. Love thinline, wont ride without it. They do have a few with sheepskin, but i'm not sure how thick it is. My only complaint, if you go with the cheaper thinline half pad that is just a solid piece of the thinline material, it tends to come out of the gullet and smash down on the wither/spine. They have the Trifecta model and others that have thinline on either side but not ON the spine of the pad, i think i would much prefer those. I ended up slicing my thinline half pad in half and sewing it into a half pad to allow a spine channel.

[mbm]

the NuMeds look nice!

i love my Mattes pad - it is shaped and fits very well - it is just too thick. :(

maybe i could shave the wool?

[Dressage Art]

do you use these pads alone or under/over something else?Supracor under the saddle pad. It has air in it and great not only for shock absorbsion but for the air circulation in the hot summer as well.


Thinline, is over the saddle pad.

[Ambrey]

How does supracor differ from thinline? I don't think I've ever seen a supracor pad up close.

[Dressage Art]

You can see thru supracor. It's not a solid material as gel pads or thinline pads. Supracor has a honeycomb-like structure and made for the material that was made for space at first. It promotes air circulation under the saddle and cools horse's back + it shock absorbent.

Most of the other pads are only shock absorbent.

[buck22]

I use an engle pad that is a regular pad lined with sheepskin only in the saddle area. It is a lower pile (aka closer shaved) sheepskin than my mattes or fleeceworks pile. My Christ horsedream pad is a lower pile still than engle, though denser than engle, but I also acquired it used so it might start out quite thick.

I might also suggest looking into a poly pad, they are extremely well made.

I've had wonderful success with a saddleright pad recently as well, but its about twice as thick as an ultra thinline.

I also have a tad coffin leather pad that is quite thin and quite dense, but its really shaped for a cc saddle rather than dressage. I use thinline instead.

What is the nature of your mare's sensitivity? that might be the determining factor.

[Carolinadreamin']

I use an engle pad that is a regular pad lined with sheepskin only in the saddle area. It is a lower pile (aka closer shaved) sheepskin than my mattes or fleeceworks pile.

As an aside, I've had my engle pad for over 3 years, while I've had my Fleeceworks less than a year. I take great care of both and the engle pad has held up better than the fleeceworks, even though it has had much more use.

[mbm]

buck22 - she seems to "go better" when using a sheepskin pad..... she has a longish back with a weakish lower back area. and she is more willing to swing using sheepskin pad that not.

in general i think she likes the feel of the softness/cushion between the saddle and her back....

[mjhco]

Go buy yourself a real sheepskin with good dense fibers. Cut it into the shape (or shapes) you want. I usually get two pads out of one hide.

The pads are washable (woolite). They are more flexible and not as bulky as the Mattes or Thinline.

I put the sheepskin directly on the back. Then a cotton pad.

[fancyTNchic]

May I suggest you try the Cavalero Xtra Fit Pad with Bamboo?
'Techno-Suede with soft, super wicking bamboo to create a superior pad and is FEI approved'
http://www.moxieequestrian.com/Product.aspx?ProductCode=C107
free shipping code mm105
I am an affiliate but can tell you first hand it is an awesome pad and I use it all the time now and love it; it doesn't slip either. Check it out and let me know if have any questions:)