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DIY Ogilvy Inspired Pad

Hunter/Jumper
#1

This may be nuts… but I’m considering trying to create my own memory style foam pad. I’m crafty. I can kind of sew. I can measure. I can do this, right? Right!?

I guess I’m looking for some reassurance or perhaps stories from others who have tried something like this before.

I don’t generally love thick pads but have a young horse who just needs a bit more cushion until she fills out. I found custom cut foam here:
http://www.foambymail.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=CSDIM&Store_Code=FF&category_id=19&shape_id=13

And there is a fabric shop in town where I can find covering material. Am I nuts?

#2

[QUOTE=osgoka01;8129904]
This may be nuts… but I’m considering trying to create my own memory style foam pad. I’m crafty. I can kind of sew. I can measure. I can do this, right? Right!?

I guess I’m looking for some reassurance or perhaps stories from others who have tried something like this before.

I don’t generally love thick pads but have a young horse who just needs a bit more cushion until she fills out. I found custom cut foam here:
http://www.foambymail.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=CSDIM&Store_Code=FF&category_id=19&shape_id=13

And there is a fabric shop in town where I can find covering material. Am I nuts?[/QUOTE]

I think you’re better off leaving that for the pros but making your own Ogilvy cover if you are so inclined. IME the foam is quick to disintegrate and does not offer the same quality/construction and symmetry as manufactured ones. Saddle pads are super fun to make too… I’ve made a few hideous ones for when you’re at that type of barn… super fun.

#3

Ok. So what I did when I wanted a memory foam riser pad was cut up an old mattress pad and modify a fleece gel pad cover by adding nylon billet straps and stitching across the middle so the foam would stay where I wanted it to. Initial cost was $8–$5 for the cover, $3 for nylon and thread. I later replaced the crappy foam with Fleeceworks inserts. Rear inserts were about $25, and they held up very well. I say give it a shot!

The best part about my homemade correction pad is that the fleece cover has a Beval label on it. It looks totally legit! :lol:

#4

Can someone tell me - what is so SPECIAL about Ogilvy’s foam / half pads?

I go to their site, and I can’t find anything about pressure studies, or how their foam is propietary, or some special type of foam…

I see nothing about science behind their pads, or any sort of materials expert…

It says that the founder rode as a Jr - and designed the pads.

It says that their pads are made of “memory foam”.

I really don’t know why one could not buy some memory foam (which is sold online in various thicknesses and densities), and sew a cover.

I am skeptical - in my nearly 30 years in horses, I have seen SO MANY half pad trends come and go…

1 Like
#5

I say if you want to try and make it, go for it! It wouldn’t cost much to make it just to try it and even if it doesn’t last, you could make another or whatnot. It’s probably not that hard to design a decent foam halfpad!

#6

There are plenty of small/custom/handmade saddle pad companies making their own versions and selling on Etsy and similar sites, so of course it should be possible to make one if you are relatively crafty.

1 Like
#7

I think I must be weird. I don’t like Ogilvys. I see them on horses at the barn and they always stick up funny in the back behind the saddle. Drives me crazy. I’ll stick to my sheepskin. Don’t see why you couldn’t make your own though! Probably come trial and error, but still cheaper.

1 Like
#8

You could check Etsy – there are some sellers that offer cheaper memory foam pads. Also, a little birdie told me that a pattern to make your own custom cover is coming onto a certain Etsy store soon…

#9

[QUOTE=Appsolute;8130843]
Can someone tell me - what is so SPECIAL about Ogilvy’s foam / half pads?[/QUOTE]

Trendiness. Colors that appeal to preppy matchy matchy horse people. Honestly, that’s about it.

#10

^^^ I agree, I think the custom colored covers are the biggest draw.

I like the colors! Have to admit! I need to get a new sewing machine, maybe I will make a cover for my ProLite pad (which does have pressure mapping results to show that the pads dispense pressure)

#11

I might just try it! I agree Apsolute, I found absolutely no data on the specific foam that Ogilvy is using. For my purposes (short term for a young horse), I would rather spend $20 in materials and have a fun afternoon project than spend $250 for something to be used for a month or two.

1 Like
#12

Sometimes DIY is a great thing. I feel like I have saved a lot of money with DIY household products (shower spray, furniture polish). I also have DIY tack wipes. I have been contemplating a DIY foam pad myself.

#13

[QUOTE=vxf111;8131444]
Trendiness. Colors that appeal to preppy matchy matchy horse people. Honestly, that’s about it.[/QUOTE]

True for most people, though I must say, for me, it’s relieved a lot of back pain on one particularly bouncy horse. I’ve just borrowed the pad from the horse’s owner, but it seemed like a good fit, though nothing magical…

#14

[QUOTE=Mukluk;8132566]
Sometimes DIY is a great thing. I feel like I have saved a lot of money with DIY household products (shower spray, furniture polish). I also have DIY tack wipes. I have been contemplating a DIY foam pad myself.[/QUOTE]

how’d you do the DIY tack wipes?

a long time ago i bought those mechanic rags (disposable) with that very ambition in mind… never did get around to making it as i couldn’t find a “formula” online i trusted or liked enough.

#15

[QUOTE=hunterrider23;8132649]
True for most people, though I must say, for me, it’s relieved a lot of back pain on one particularly bouncy horse. I’ve just borrowed the pad from the horse’s owner, but it seemed like a good fit, though nothing magical…[/QUOTE]

Who is to say that ANY FOAM pad wouldn’t have helped the back pain? Or really any pad at all that stabilized the saddle? As best as I can tell, there’s nothing special or even proprietary about the foam they’re using. For all we know, it’s the same exact foam as the OP is sourcing.

#16

(Reported.)

#17

The memory foam inserts are the cheap part, the da&m cover is what costs a fortune!

#18

Heads up that this was an old thread bumped up by a spammer.

1 Like

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