bareback pads

[winona]

I am interested in a bareback pad that is comfy and secure for winter use and for those short rides in which I don’t want to bother with my saddle. Plus, I want to clean my treeless and get it inside for the winter. Is bareback use worrisome as far as pressure points/back soreness. I doubt I would ride more than an hour bareback. Plus, what pads have you liked. Someone here mentioned the Little Joe which looks great, but not sure I want to spend $200. How about this: http://cgi.ebay.com/Leather-Natural-Horsemanship-Bareback-Saddle-Pad-Brown2_W0QQitemZ230204314267QQihZ013QQcategoryZ47293QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

http://cgi.ebay.com/RIDERS-CHOICE-BLACK-SUEDE-LEATHER-BAREBACK-SADDLE-PAD_W0QQitemZ250197036413QQihZ015QQcategoryZ47293QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Thanks for your input!

[Petstorejunkie]

I personally use a “Tacky Too” bareback pad and love it! it doesnt shift or move at all, it has a contoured topline for wither relief. I own the nylon top one and you definately dont shift or slip around in it.

I am from the school of if you are a balanced rider than bareback isnt doing much harm. If i am plainning on riding on trails or doing cavaletti work, or jumping in my bareback pad, i’ll put a gel pad under the bareback pad.

[GE1]

I have a Christ HorseDream bareback pad and I absolutely love it:
http://www.horsedreamimporters.com/bareback.php

Got it at a tack swap brand new for less than 1/3 of retail. It’s all sheepskin, has some padding and uses a dressage girth. My 11 year old daughter uses it more than me.

[McVillesMom]

I have the Best Friend bareback pad and really like it. It has a suede top for grip, plenty of padding, and a non-slip underside and girth. I use it on both my horses, one of who is a shark-withered TB, with no problems. I have even jumped and schooled cross-country in it on said TB!

Their website is www.bestfriendequine.com

[chicamuxen1]

I like the look of these, http://www.silverdollarqh.com/bbpads.htm they have a non-slip bottom, foam inserts, spinal channel, suede top and come in english or western style. I found that most bareback pads are cut too straight on the front edge and my knees and lower legs would be off the front edge of the pad. I bought a Toklat pad years ago because they have a more forward english cut model but the bottom side is really slippery on the horse. works best when put on top of my Dixie Midnight pad. But the pads at the link above look to have a little more forward cut and good quality. Still, not exactly cheap and for winter riding a fleece top would be nice!

Oh, Skito makes a bareback pad that is contoured but again, it’s pricey.

chicamuxen

[winona]

Thanks. Lots of decent products out there. Decisions, decisions…

I should ride like I did always when I was a kid…bareback. I had great balance. But my mares whithers hurt!

[system]

Another vote for Best Friend.

I have recently purchased a Best Friend bareback pad and it is great. It does not slip and it gives a bit of grip and padding to make the ride more comfortable. I got it new on ebay and it was not very expensive. The western version that I have also has a pocket and drink bottle.

[marta]

i have a bareback pad by kensington

stateline tack used to sell them. i think so does smartpak.
it’s cushy, doesn’t slip. one complaint is that the girth is pretty long and i’m on the last hole now. not sure what happens if i need to cinch it up more. i think i could probably melt an extra hole or two in it. but otherwise it’s good.

[ddashaq]

@chicamuxen1;2875605

I like the look of these, http://www.silverdollarqh.com/bbpads.htm they have a non-slip bottom, foam inserts, spinal channel, suede top and come in english or western style. I found that most bareback pads are cut too straight on the front edge and my knees and lower legs would be off the front edge of the pad. I bought a Toklat pad years ago because they have a more forward english cut model but the bottom side is really slippery on the horse. works best when put on top of my Dixie Midnight pad. But the pads at the link above look to have a little more forward cut and good quality. Still, not exactly cheap and for winter riding a fleece top would be nice!

Oh, Skito makes a bareback pad that is contoured but again, it’s pricey.

chicamuxen

I have this one and LOVE it. My horse is narrow, wiggly, and spooky and I can actually stay on him through most anything in it. They make to take either a cinch or a dressage girth.

[winona]

ARENN
Did you get the newest bestfriend or the english style?

Here is their newest version
http://www.bestfriendequine.com/comfort-plus-bareback-pad.html

[Karma]

I enjoyed a nice ride in the Christ Lamfelle pad just the other day. The sheepskin is soo comfy.

[wstrngrl]

winona - this is the western one arenn is talking about. I too just bought this one and really like it, cushy at the withers, sticky top and bottom; and girth/billets that allow me to use it on my Saddlebred and my Belgian

[system]

[QUOTE=winona;2884571]
ARENN
Did you get the newest bestfriend or the english style?

Here is their newest version
http://www.bestfriendequine.com/comfort-plus-bareback-pad.html[/QUOTE]

Neither, I got the western version. http://www.bestfriendequine.com/westernstyle.html
The new comfort one looks pretty good though!

[Bogie]

@chicamuxen1;2875605

I like the look of these, http://www.silverdollarqh.com/bbpads.htm they have a non-slip bottom, foam inserts, spinal channel, suede top and come in english or western style.

I have this pad. It’s pretty nice. To be honest, now that I have a treeless saddle, I don’t use it anymore.

[caballo_owner]

I, too, recommend the Best Friend bareback pad. I have a thoroughbred that has withers that would kill you and this pad (western or English) works well on him.

[citydog]

[QUOTE=chicamuxen1;2875605]
I like the look of these, http://www.silverdollarqh.com/bbpads.htm [/QUOTE]

I have one of these. It’s great. Everyone who’s tried it and looked at the construction has bought one and been happy with it.

You can also get them from the makers at: http://www.rodeoetc.com/barebackpad.html (depending on who is currently cheaper and has what in stock).

[winona]

Thanks for all the input. I did get some cash for Xmas, so maybe I’ll get a pad. Of course, everything is a sheet of ice so no riding for awhile…:no:

[kansasgal]

Another vote for the Best Friend pad…

I did some research before I bought mine, and the Best Friend was chosen as the number one pad by Mike Plumb’s magazine, Horse Journal (?). They reviewed a lot of them, and found the Best Friend to be number one.
I also liked the price, compared to many.
It is very comfy, and does NOT slip.
The new model looks even nicer.

Good luck and best wishes from Kansas.