Acavallo Half Pads - Inform me

[CanteringCarrot]

I’ve never owned a gel half pad, and Acavallo seems to have so many available right now. The horse I would like the pad for has a saddle that fits him well, so I do not need something very thick. Just something for a little added cushion and perhaps the sticky texture of the Acavallo pads. I fellow boarder has an older one with a rear riser and swears it helps her saddle slippage. Hers makes my saddle not sit quite right so it’s hard for me to “test” it. My guy’s saddle does creep forward at times regardless of fit. Just his shape and forward girth groove. It happens. So I’m in intrigued by the sticky properties of these pads.
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I was thinking of the Acavallo Soft Active Gel Pad. I don’t need risers, or anything insanely thick. He currently goes in a square pad with a thin Prolite half pad. The Prolite pad is fine, but has no grip to it. With our frequent schooling and long hacks, I think that a half pad offers both of us comfort. I notice a difference when I ride without it myself.

So what say you on these pads? Are you using a certain model? Which one is best for a well fitting saddle?

There are just so many “ventilated” options and whatnot.

[PrincessPonies]

My experience with gel pads was years ago but I really didn’t like it. It was heavy and it did not age well. Newer models may be different. I have a thinline and have loved it for years. Also even though my saddle fits well I use an ecogold flip pad. It’s stopped all slipping. I don’t notice either the gel or thinline stopping sliding but I also don’t remember any point of have a lot of issues I’m general.

[Dr_Doolittle]

Acavello pads are nothing like the old gel pads, they are gummy and sticky and vented - lots of little holes - and conform nicely to the horse’s back. It has been a game changer for my tube shaped, long-backed, low-withered WB mare; despite proper saddle fit AND a Contoured girth to keep the saddle in place, it would still slide forward even with conventional nonslip pads – but now stays put with the Acavello, and it seems to add a little bit of “cushion” without changing the saddle fit. She loves it, and so do I!

[Forte]

I have several and I absolutely love them. For my one horse who has a custom saddle but just needs some help with slippage, I use the Acavallo Light Weight gel pad. I put in directly on the horse back with a cotton pad on top and it really reduced the saddle slipping from side to side. With my other horses I use the Just Gel pad with sheepskin trim on top of a cotton pad. It reduces slippage, increases cushion and the sheepskin looks really sharp. I do find the pads lose their stickiness over time, but it comes back once the pad has been washed.

[soloudinhere]

I have the piuma pad and I really like it! light and not sticky (though my fatty used to need the sticky one)

[CanteringCarrot]

@soloudinhere

I have the piuma pad and I really like it! light and not sticky (though my fatty used to need the sticky one)

I really debated between that one and the Active Soft Gel Pad. I purchased the latter, and it arrives today. I probably should have just bought both for comparison because returns are free, but I’ll just see how I like this one. I am thinking that I’ll have to trim it. This horse has a short back and I ride in a 16.5" saddle and I don’t like a lot of excess pad. I saw a few options available in pony size, but they were hard to find, not in stock, or didn’t list the exact measurements. I believe trimming them is fine IIRC.

I don’t know if I will use it under the pad as this guy can be sensitive skinned.

[mlb722]

I have two—one for under the pad and one as a half pad with fleece edging for under the saddle. I was having huge issues with saddle slippage and it really helped. After a bunch of chiropractic adjustments the slippage disappeared so I’m not needing them anymore. IMO they aren’t very breathable and in the summer they cause a lot of sweating. I think they can be really useful for saddle issues but not something I’d add for no particular reason.

[CanteringCarrot]

@mlb722

I have two—one for under the pad and one as a half pad with fleece edging for under the saddle. I was having huge issues with saddle slippage and it really helped. After a bunch of chiropractic adjustments the slippage disappeared so I’m not needing them anymore. IMO they aren’t very breathable and in the summer they cause a lot of sweating. I think they can be really useful for saddle issues but not something I’d add for no particular reason.

They really stress the newer ones being breathable, but we’ll see.

I am curious to try it over the next few days. With this horse, even if his saddle fits well, it’s apt to slide forward due to his conformation. His skin doesn’t tolerate neoprene girths well, so I can’t use those to help the matter. It’s not a huge deal as he is not sore, and the sliding is not so severe, but I’m intrigued. Usually it doesn’t get very hot here weather wise, so that helps with sweating. The texture and feel of it certainly is interesting!

[Curly_Feather]

I have a Acavallo rear gel riser. It is really amazing, worth having them in your tack box.

[CanteringCarrot]

Just a follow up to this incase anyone stumbles across this thread later:

The pad is thin, so it doesn’t alter saddle fit. It is softer than other hard gel pads I have felt in the past. Most importantly, it stopped my saddle from moving. I think that little bit of tackiness helps because the saddle does fit the horse, but his forward girth groove and short back doesn’t help matters.

[LarkspurCO]

I have been using the Lambskin half pad for months and LOVE it

https://www.lemieuxproducts.com/acavallo/acavallo-lambskin-gel/acavallo-just-gel-lambskin-half-pad-natural-white

But not as much as I love my new X-grip twin sided pad. This thing is fan-freaking-tastic.

https://www.lemieuxproducts.com/plain-pads/lemieux-x-grip-system/lemieux-x-grip-dressage-squares/lemieux-x-grip-twin-sided-dressage-square-benetton-blue