Best half pad for horse with little to no topline

[Chestnut_Mare1]

There must be a million posts on half pads, but I am looking for specific advice…

My mare was off work all winter and while her fitness is coming along, the muscles on her back are not coming back as quickly as I hoped.

Other reasons for her not having a good topline are being addressed, but in the meantime, would a thinline pad (without sheepskin) work under her well fitted dressage saddle? I don’t want too much bulk, just something to help keep her comfortable. Although she is not showing any sign of soreness.

Saddle fitter did not specifically recommend anything other than evaluating saddle fit again in a few months.

[JannieC]

Yes. I have the thinline ultra and use it when I have a saddle that otherwise fits. It is good insurance to avoid problems, I think.

[keysfins]

I use a ThinLine pad for each of my horses.

When coming off a rehab stint, I used the full sheepskin pad with a shim, as advised by our saddle fitter. Now that the horse is back to full work, and has recovered his top line, I use a Trifecta pad that has the sheepskin trim. It could also be shimmed if needed.

[eponacelt]

I have a young horse with NO topline and the saddle fitter suggested a ProLite pad with shims so I can reduce the bulk over time. Seems to be working great, and he’s building muscle so I’ll be able to step back on the padding soon.

[kashmere]

I like thinline pads and have used one (the same one!) for over 10 years. It’s held up very well and I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend.

Buuuutttttt, I am going through some shape-changing stuff with my mare right now, and am using a prolite pad, and I think it is better for precisely adjusting fit. My mare needs a bit more depth to the panel, but only in certain places. I use the prolite tri pad:

http://www.prolitepads.com/balance-altering-relief-pads/29-tri-pad

and it’s ideal for making precise adjustments. My mare is super duper happy in it.

[Chestnut_Mare1]

So I bought the ultra thinline trifecta and the trot felt super bouncy! Did not like it at all. Has anyone tried the ogilvy half pads?

[ace]

I have an ogilvy - I don’t think I would use it if your saddle is generally fitted to your horse (too bulky!). I just recently bought one of these sheepskin half pads for a similar reason (lack of topline) and am very happy with it - horsie likes it too!
http://www.nationalsaddlecentreusa.com/sheepskin/

[JannieC]

Could it be that the bouncy trot you felt is because your horse was happier with the extra pad? Some horses that have been restricted in their movement can feel really different to the rider when they are more comfortable and able to move.

[SendenHorse]

what half pad you buy depends on how your saddle fits. My saddle fits too well that I can’t use a thicker pad like oglivy. Horses can get really sore if you start over-padding.

I like thinline ultra and prolite pads. Ogilvy can create hot spots and most people at my barn don’t really use them, but they sure have a following.

Bounce is good! your horse is probably using his back better.

Honestly, now I just use a BOT square pad and I love the ceramic fibers, a good fitting saddle doesn’t require a half pad.

[Can_tFindMyWhip]

I vote ProLite.

I have a horse who is also lacking in the top line department. I had been using a Thinline Ultra/Back on Track combination pad, but my horse didn’t like it. Thinline pads absorb shock, but don’t really displace pressure as well as you would need with a dressage saddle. My saddle fitter told me that Oglvy pads compress to nothing once they get warm from the horse’s back, and that they are pretty useless. So I’ve been using a ProLite at the saddle fitter’s recommendation since March, and my horse is very happy. And the pad was relatively inexpensive, as I remember. ($130, I think.)

[Old_Mac_Donald]

I am a half-pad fiend; however am super picky about my pads as they have to allow the horse’s back to breathe, not be too thick, and must fit under my 17.5" saddles (not be too short). I highly HIGHLY recommend Prolite over Thinline - particularly in the hot, humid climate I live in. Having said that, I recently acquired a Acavallo air release pad and it has been the best thing since sliced bread. I use it on all my horses, and it really lets their backs “breathe” and sweat. If two horses are going out, one gets the Acavallo and the other the Prolite. My Thinline has been relegated to the “maybe one day” pile.

[sheltona01]

Sent PM

[Groom_amp_Taxi]

One thing a saddle fitter recently pointed out to me is the importance of the pad following the contour of the horse’s withers without flattening over them. I could never get the standard Thinline contour pad to NOT flatten. Currently using a Prolite which seems to be working well and waiting impatiently for a couple of countered pads for use under the half pad.

[Chestnut_Mare1]

I returned the Thinline and purchased a Rambo Grand Prix square pad with the foamy no slip panel. That tiny bit of padding is perfect, she seems fine with it and I can feel the bit of softness when I sit the trot. Highly recommend this pad for anyone who needs just a tiny bit more padding.

[keysfins]

[QUOTE=Chestnut_Mare;8687817]
I returned the Thinline and purchased a Rambo Grand Prix square pad with the foamy no slip panel. That tiny bit of padding is perfect, she seems fine with it and I can feel the bit of softness when I sit the trot. Highly recommend this pad for anyone who needs just a tiny bit more padding.[/QUOTE]

Do you have a link?

[Chestnut_Mare1]

[QUOTE=keysfins;8687846]
Do you have a link? :)[/QUOTE]

Sure, here it is: http://www.amazon.com/Rambo-Grand-Prix-Dressage-Saddle/dp/B007ZVF6YW/ref=sr_1_30?ie=UTF8&qid=1464976128&sr=8-30&keywords=rambo+grand+prix

[Mondo]

Skito Equalizer! I love them and prefer them to the Thinline.

[Countrywood]

[QUOTE=Chestnut_Mare;8685668]
So I bought the ultra thinline trifecta and the trot felt super bouncy! Did not like it at all. Has anyone tried the ogilvy half pads?[/QUOTE]

I also find thinline pads make the gaits feel more bouncy. Imo they are highly over rated its a peice of rubber.p

[mlb722]

My trainer uses the acavallo no slip gel, a regular pad, and then the acavallo sheepskin gel. The two gels are half pad shaped. I’ve been wanting to buy them for awhile…