My trainer let me use her Mattes correction pad today and I could definitely feel the difference in both myself and my horse when using it. However, I don’t have $200+ to spend on a half pad. Is there anything similar for under $100? We were using it with the shims in the front.
Thanks!
Finding a used one on ebay! Honestly, once you go Mattes, you won’t go back!
You can look into the Fleeceworks and Equine Comfort brands. They are less expensive, but the inserts are memory foam instead of wool (which I beleive the Mattes pad inserts are?). I had a Fleeceworks half pad and felt the memory foam shims compressed a little too much for my needs. I’m one of those people that bargain hunts for EVERYTHING but if you are going for something with shims I think the Mattes pad is really your best bet. If you were looking for a half pad without I think there are other brands comparable.
find a used one, or wait for that one site that has the killer prices/sales to do another sale. The name is totally not coming to me though, so can someone else help me out?
Fleeeworks, as long as it’s big enough, and replace the shims with wool felt.
I suggest saving up for the mattes…Ive tried them all, and I agree with “once you go mattes, you never go back”!
Fleeceworks is awesome!
Also try http://www.epshop.us/ You can build one for cheaper than you can buy it for here in the US. The shipping is reasonable too. I bought one from them a few years ago. They also have stuff on sale though with those you buy the size and color combo they have. But it’s a good place to keep an eye on for a good deal!
^ I heard their shipping was hit or miss?? I would love to be wrong so I can get one, but the last thread had some unhappy folks.
Thanks so much everyone! Of course it’s that expensive for a reason, right? I would rather get a quality item than have to replace an inferior one. The upside is that DH offered to buy one for me for my birthday so I guess I’ll just keep an eye out for sales!
[QUOTE=TheJenners;7162122]
^ I heard their shipping was hit or miss?? I would love to be wrong so I can get one, but the last thread had some unhappy folks.[/QUOTE]
I had no problems with mine when I bought it. Granted it’s been a few years ago now and things could have changed!
What makes Mattes better then say fleece-works or thinline? I just bought a fleece-works pad from dover with the front foam shims. I did try the mattes pad and used all of the shims in the front and still didn’t have enough for my saddle to fit right. I have also heard some great things about thinline pads too.
[QUOTE=bluecharm7;7163355]
What makes Mattes better then say fleece-works or thinline? I just bought a fleece-works pad from dover with the front foam shims. I did try the mattes pad and used all of the shims in the front and still didn’t have enough for my saddle to fit right. I have also heard some great things about thinline pads too.[/QUOTE]
The sheepskin won’t hold up nearly as well on a Fleeceworks compared to Mattes in my experience. Others have posted in the past as well about their Fleeceworks falling apart when washed. I found the video posted on the other similar thread about Mattes very interesting and suggest you watch it.
Oh what video??? I would like to see that!
I have a really old fleeceworks pad, its a fullpad not halfpad, but its seen years and years of showing and still looks good.
I have a newer one as well, but the old one hasn’t died yet and im pretty sure is well over ten years old.
I recently bought the new fleeceworks perfect balance wool half pad with the inserts as shown here:
http://www.doversaddlery.com/perfect-balance-pad-wool/p/X1-19864A/?ids=hc2bsf55bupk5eaeqasg0l55
I was hesitant to buy it because of the reviews from others on this board about fleeceworks not washing well. I spoke to Dover saddlery and they told me that with the wool sewn into the acrylic backing as shown in this version makes it much more suitable for washing and it holds up better.
The primary reason I wanted this pad is because I like the full insert panels with velcro closure. It is very easy to switch inserts in and out. I did not use the fleecworks inserts, I bought thinline inserts for the front and they give my horse the bit of lift he needs in the front and it is working perfectly!
The saddle fitter had suggested the Mattes correction pad and I searched endlessly for a good deal on a used one or on sale new and I could not find one for less than 200.00. The fleeceworks has turned out to be a good substitute for my purposes.
I paid $100 for my Mattes correction pad. You can find them for reasonable prices.
go to the fabric or craft store and buy some felt and cut and stick between saddle and saddle pad - works great. You can also get 10mm dense foam and cut shims out of them too.
[QUOTE=TheJenners;7162122]
^ I heard their shipping was hit or miss?? I would love to be wrong so I can get one, but the last thread had some unhappy folks.[/QUOTE]
I know others have had issues, but I ordered a Mattes correction pad w/ rear trim a few months ago, and had no issues with the payment or shipping. It’s identical to my other Mattes correction pad bought from SmartPak (one jump, one dressage).
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