Gel Saddle Pads

2 Responses to “Gel Saddle Pads”

1. paintgirl_h says:

   January 20, 2011 at 9:06 pm

   I have a gelding with fairly low withers, and he does benefit from a non-slip pad. I did not buy an expensive pad, but instead a fairly thin pad that came without any padding or thickness, just the "holey" non-slip type material. When I saddle my gelding I put this on first, then a light weight felt pad, and last a fairly thin navajo type wool pad. For my mare, who has much better withers, i use the same combination without the bottom layer of non-slip.
   When i ride English I just slip the non-slip pad under my proper English pad. When i show this horse I bought a narrow non-slip strip for my English saddle – it isn't a full pad but a strip about four inches wide and fourteen inches long. That strip makes quite a difference to hold the saddle straight, but doesn't show under my English show pad.
   The thin non-slip western style pad I have cost me about $20 five years ago, I still think you can find that style for under $30. Another nice thing about the thin one is – you can trim them with scissors if they show underneath another saddle pad. The narrow English strip i have cost me $14 last fall.
   Lastly, make sure that your saddles actually fit your horse properly. A non-slip pad is only a bandage if the saddle doesn't fit your horse correctly. If it does fit well, then a non-slip can help. Also, a non-slip Western cinch can make a difference, allowing you to use a looser saddle on a horse. Lastly, an obese horse is almost impossible to keep a saddle on. If your horse is overweight, there's one more reason to get him to a healthier shape!
2. Arashi says:

   July 3, 2011 at 12:37 pm

   I have a gelding with fairly low withers, and he does benefit from a non-slip pad. I did not buy an expensive pad, but instead a fairly thin pad that came without any padding or thickness, just the "holey" non-slip type material. When I saddle my gelding I put this on first, then a light weight felt pad, and last a fairly thin navajo type wool pad. For my mare, who has much better withers, i use the same combination without the bottom layer of non-slip.
   When i ride English I just slip the non-slip pad under my proper English pad. When i show this horse I bought a narrow non-slip strip for my English saddle – it isn't a full pad but a strip about four inches wide and fourteen inches long. That strip makes quite a difference to hold the saddle straight, but doesn't show under my English show pad.
   The thin non-slip western style pad I have cost me about $20 five years ago, I still think you can find that style for under $30. Another nice thing about the thin one is – you can trim them with scissors if they show underneath another saddle pad. The narrow English strip i have cost me $14 last fall.
   Lastly, make sure that your saddles actually fit your horse properly. A non-slip pad is only a bandage if the saddle doesn't fit your horse correctly. If it does fit well, then a non-slip can help. Also, a non-slip Western cinch can make a difference, allowing you to use a looser saddle on a horse. Lastly, an obese horse is almost impossible to keep a saddle on. If your horse is overweight, there's one more reason to get him to a healthier shape!