[Crazy-Pony]

My saddle fits my pony well, but I like to use a half pad to cushion her back to keep her happy, comfortable, and to prevent soreness. I am only fourteen, so a Mattes isn't really an affordable option...

What do you think would be a good, inexpensive ($100 or less, and the lower, the better!) NON-bulky half pad to use?

[AlterHalter123]

If your saddle fits correctly, you shouldn't need anything to prevent soreness. Half pads are meant to correct fit problems and are going to be bulky because they're made of sheepskin.... If you really want to throw something under there, buy an Lami Cell gel pad
http://www.doversaddlery.com/lami-ce...FXCmPAodumkAnA

.. I use that on my jumper and like it.. It's inexpensive.. or you could buy a thin line half pad.. although I don't see the point in spending money on something that's as thin as a slice of deli meat.. I don't really get what it does...

[maigenesis]

Something like a Thinline might work out really well for you. It cushions and absorbs shock really well, and they are relatively inexpensive. I think they retail for about $85, but if you check in eBay, Thinline often sells their 'demo-quality' half pads for about $47. They might be a tad dinged up or dusty, but it is hidden under a saddle anyways!

[AlterHalter123]

Something like a Thinline might work out really well for you. It cushions and absorbs shock really well, and they are relatively inexpensive. I think they retail for about $85, but if you check in eBay, Thinline often sells their 'demo-quality' half pads for about $47. They might be a tad dinged up or dusty, but it is hidden under a saddle anyways!

Okay like I said earlier.. maybe I don't understand the mechanics behind a thinline pad, but how can a piece of deli meat absorb shock and cushion.. I'm pretty sure if I were to put that thing on my back and you sat on me, I'd still feel your bony butt in my back the same as if I didn't have one on... I know a saddle goes on top of it when on a horse, but I just don't see how it does anything but take my money.

[bluebuckets]

Sounds like a Thinline is your best bet. They are not meant to correct saddle fit, but they provide the horse with some extra comfort. The way the pad is designed, it is very thin but provides a lot of protection to the horse's back. My mare absolutely loves her Thinline. I was skeptical at first, but if she likes it, I have to believe in it.

[AlterHalter123]

Okay I'm getting some thumbs down, but no one has explained to me how the Thinline pad works... Someone please explain to me how a thin piece of whatever can provide such amazing shock absorbing qualities and comfort.

[maigenesis]

Okay I'm getting some thumbs down, but no one has explained to me how the Thinline pad works... Someone please explain to me how a thin piece of whatever can provide such amazing shock absorbing qualities and comfort.

They have a couple videos on their website with a tennis ball dropping-imagine that it is the rider's posting or sitting down after a jump.

[cleozowner]

FWIW my horse's saddle fits very well, and he actually moves BETTER when I don't use a half pad. Just a plain square pad makes him very happy.

[candysgirl]

I don't know how the Thinlines work, but I feel a huge difference when I foxhunt with one. I foxhunt with a shaped baby pad under a Thinline. My saddle fits well, but three hours of running and jumping can make my knees pretty sore. My horse moves a little more freely with the Thinline too.

My white half pad was one of the demo quality ones off eBay. The only thing wrong with it is the logo is smudged.

[jlphilli]

Okay like I said earlier.. maybe I don't understand the mechanics behind a thinline pad, but how can a piece of deli meat absorb shock and cushion.. I'm pretty sure if I were to put that thing on my back and you sat on me, I'd still feel your bony butt in my back the same as if I didn't have one on... I know a saddle goes on top of it when on a horse, but I just don't see how it does anything but take my money.

I do know that the type of material Thinline uses is the same material used in labs to prevent glassware from shaking/falling off of the benchtop (water proofed, anti-microbial polyethylene foam). If you drop a golfball (or any solid item that bounces) it will prevent it from bouncing; it just falls flat on the Thinline pad. Pretty cool!

ETA--In the past I've used a Thinline pad, but I am currently using a mattes pad, as my saddle (which used to fit perfectly when I got it new), has opened up a little too much and now I need some more fluff in the wither area. I like both, but wouldn't refrain from using the Thinline in the future, as it does a good job of shock absorption w/o interfering w/ fit.

[designequine]

Here is a demo Thinline on eBay for the next 2 days: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Demo-quality.../130813610680?

I bought this same demo Thinline (the logo might be smudged which makes it "demo", but it is literally the exact same as the $89 retail version) and used it when riding schoolies and it is really a great pad.

[AlterHalter123]

They have a couple videos on their website with a tennis ball dropping-imagine that it is the rider's posting or sitting down after a jump.

I do know that the type of material Thinline uses is the same material used in labs to prevent glassware from shaking/falling off of the benchtop (water proofed, anti-microbial polyethylene foam). If you drop a golfball (or any solid item that bounces) it will prevent it from bouncing; it just falls flat on the Thinline pad. Pretty cool!

ETA--In the past I've used a Thinline pad, but I am currently using a mattes pad, as my saddle (which used to fit perfectly when I got it new), has opened up a little too much and now I need some more fluff in the wither area. I like both, but wouldn't refrain from using the Thinline in the future, as it does a good job of shock absorption w/o interfering w/ fit.

Thank you for replying with something productive rather than just thumbs downing and leaving.

[intrepid]

Might be a bit bulky for what you're looking for, but Shedrow now makes a memory foam half pad (their version of the Ogilvy half pad) for $99. http://greenhawk.com/wdItemDesc.asp?...ricSKU=RIE5348

[Justa Bob]

I look at these pads with a grain of salt...when searching for a pad that protects either you or a horse, search for "shock absorption" or "impact". Many companies make them, and you can look at their research and decide for yourself. Some of the pads can be bought just as pads and cut down to fit into half pads designed to hold a pad. Read up and decide for yourself...try to borrow from a friend to test out first. Each type has it's fan club.

Materials include memory foam, specialty foam, gel pads, etc.

Saddleright (spendy, but popular here - my barn has many riders using it)
Oglivy
Matrix inserts (some protect the horse, some for horse and rider)
Cashel pads
Thinline
Supracor products
Ecogold products

[jlphilli]

Supracor products

As a personal "review" of a Supracor pad: I used to use one of these ~11 years ago in the jumpers. I think they are nice in a sense that they are very lightweight and seem to do well for impact protection (and probably shock absorption). However, I find it very difficult to sit a horse's gaits when this pad is used. Not sure if it's a bouncing back effect or what. Just my personal experience!

[Crazy-Pony]

That you all for your replies! I have narrowed it down to three pads: Lami-Cell Memory Half Pad, an Ultra Thinline Half Pad, and a Wilkers Quilted Back Half Pad. Which one do you think is best?

[Melissa.Hare.Jones]

A plain ThinLine pad with no backing is your best bet for impact absorption without bulk. The LamiCell pad, on the other hand, is by far thick enough to really make a well-fitted saddle too tight. It's great, though, if you have a saddle that's too wide and need to fill in space.

ThinLine, btw, not only absorbs concussion for the horse but also the rider. Try riding with one for a while and then going back to nothing (or another pad). You'll notice a difference. And, yes, I've also felt some pads created more bounce for the rider.

[mojo7777]

http://www.smartpakequine.com/fleece...pad-5499p.aspx

Here's one for $17.95. I use it and like it because it is fairly thin and doesn't affect my saddle fit. It's also easily washable.

Sorry if the link doesn't work. Just google smartpak wither pad.

[besttwtbever]

I was a HUGE skeptic of the Thinline pad. I am a bigger rider and my OTTB was having some slight back soreness and I couldn't do anything too drastic because my saddle fits so I tried the Thinline. I will NEVER go back. I saw the videos and they didn't sell me on it but riding in it was night and day. My OTTB has NO TRACE of back soreness anymore and my other horse is so much more comfortable.

ThinLine, btw, not only absorbs concussion for the horse but also the rider. Try riding with one for a while and then going back to nothing (or another pad). You'll notice a difference. And, yes, I've also felt some pads created more bounce for the rider.

I can attest to this as well, I only have one Thinline (two horses and two saddles) and I forgot to use it one day. I REALLY noticed a difference. I plan on getting a white one to show in because I don't want to be without it ever again.

[BAC]

If your saddle fits correctly, you shouldn't need anything to prevent soreness. Half pads are meant to correct fit problems and are going to be bulky because they're made of sheepskin.... If you really want to throw something under there, buy an Lami Cell gel pad
http://www.doversaddlery.com/lami-ce...FXCmPAodumkAnA

.. I use that on my jumper and like it.. It's inexpensive.. or you could buy a thin line half pad.. although I don't see the point in spending money on something that's as thin as a slice of deli meat.. I don't really get what it does...

I have that Lami Cell gel pad and it is very bulky, I don't think its at all what the OP wants. I would recommend a Thinline, something doesn't have to be thick to be effective.