Dressage saddle pad recommendations

[see_u_at_x]

I have a Toklat Classic III in oversize because I was curious as to how it would match up against my Seams Right pad, and while I like the pad well enough (and certainly appreciate the color options!), I’m not a fan of the way it washes up. I use my pads maybe 2-3 times before washing so they don’t get overly dirty, and the underside of this particular pad always looks dull and dingy and STILL shows the sweat/dirt stains on each little quilted square. And I’m pretty meticulous in my grooming as well, so it isn’t like I’m putting it on a filthy horse! The pad seems a little on the stiff side to me as well and after minimal use and maybe 2-3 washings, some of the piping has already started to unravel.

I know they’re $$, but I really love my Seams Right pads. The fabric is great, they’re made exactly how I want them (no velcro keepers that I have to cut off for a monoflap saddle, extra long down the spine, and girth guides are exactly where I need them), they’re not too stiff so they fold up nicely in my tack locker, and they wash up great. The other pad I have and like a lot is my Harry’s Horse pad that I bought in Holland this summer. It isn’t quite as nice as the Seams Right, but for an “off the shelf pad,” it’s made really well, washes up well, fits my saddle, and they come in pretty colors.

[quietann]

Yes – I should have mentioned Seams Right too, for something a little pricier than PRI but really really nice.

[see_u_at_x]

[QUOTE=quietann;8435550]
Yes – I should have mentioned Seams Right too, for something a little pricier than PRI but really really nice.[/QUOTE]

I agree with you in that the PRI pads are great pads and I always loved them when I rode in a hunt seat saddle. I just googled and it looks like they’re making some in extra long lengths down the spine now, which is GREAT! Last I checked, the regular ones seemed a little too short for my taste, but I’ll have to look into them again.

[NJRider]

Fenwick Bamboo Pads! And they are still having some holidays sales… http://www.fenwickfarm.com/products/products.aspx?id=13

[tollertwins]

if money was no object and i could ride well enough to warrant one, i’d spring for one of these:

http://www.amblesidedesigns.com/searchresults.asp?cat=1823

[Draftmare]

[QUOTE=bettyk;8431960]
Love the Ecogold pads. They are usually sold in the States in black and white; however, the Canadian website sells pads in other colors: Navy, Burgundy, Mist (a slate blue), Eucalyptus (old gold color), Charcoal, Brown, and Gold (bright gold color).[/QUOTE]

If you order through Four Star Tack (http://www.fourstarbrand.com/) you can have the colored ones shipped to you for free, and not have to pay the shipping from Canada. I ordered two EcoGold pads from them and was very happy.

Currently I have a Back On Track dressage pad, but lately have been favoring my purple PRI dressage pad.

[myhorsefaith]

Update on Concept Pad: I really like it! it does have a wide spine channel and I’m finding that it doesn’t pull down or shift during the ride. I like that the D-ring tabs are sewn from the edge of the pad/piping - so they do not create a pressure point. There is a bit of fleece on the top half of the underside- short and dense fibres.

Horse approved, rider approved. Now I wish they came in more colors other than boring old white.