5star pad question

[tollertwins]

stupid question…

do you buy the thickness you need 'cause it doesn’t compress? or do you buy a little thicker?

husbands saddle is currently used w/ 2 3/8" pads - but they squish pretty easily to 5/8. this might be a TAD thick.

am wondering if i would get him the 1/2" or the 3/4"?

[GaitedGloryRider]

I’ve always bought the thickness I need, with no problems (been using 5 Stars for about 12 years now).

If you’re unsure about the size you need get the thinner one and also buy a couple of the liners (they are 1/4" thick). You can use the liners to adjust the thickness. You’ll want to use at least one liner anyway, with as expensive as those pads are you darn sure want to protect your investment. Once the liner is worn out you can just toss it and get a new one, they keep your pad from getting all scuzzy. The less you have to wash the actual pad the better, the longer it will last. I’ve got one 5 Star I’ve had for over ten years, always used a liner with it and it still looks practically new with minimal cleaning.

[Fillabeana]

I’s agree, go with the right thickness. No, they don’t compress!
If anything, go thinner. You can get a liner in 1/4" or even 1/2".

I line my pads with a wool saddle blanket. Plain colors are about $35, the ‘Navajo’ weave ones can be $50 and up to designer-red-carpet priced. But they can be washed at the horse blanket laundry. The Navajo blankets (the single-layer, 30x32 or so ones) come out to about 1/4" thick.