I’m looking into getting XC pads and was hoping for some information on the ECP eventing pad.
How does it compare to ecogold pads?
Is it worth buying?
What are your experiences with it?
etc
I would like to get a black ECP pad for schooling and I’m trying to decide if it would be worth spending the extra $60 on a white ecogold for showing or if I could get away with getting a white ECP.
I want to keep my pony comfortable and stylish without breaking the bank:lol:
I have a black ECP that I like. My jump saddle has a tendency to slip and the ECP pad holds it in place. That said although I have been around a lot of Ecogold pads, I haven’t really paid close attention to them to compare the quality.
ETA: I’ve had mine for 4 or 5 years and it is still in excellent condition. I haven’t used it super-hard but it’s had plenty of use.
I’m showing in the white ECP - no complaints so far. I only use it for shows or XC schooling so I don’t have any input on how it would hold up to daily use. I bought it from Riding Warehouse either with a 15% off coupon or during a 20% sale, I forget which, but it was somewhere around $65. Pretty cheap. If fits my saddle (Devoucoux Chiberta) perfectly, doesn’t slip, and is thin enough to where I can still use my half pad over top. Just wish they made more colors!
attaching a couple pics
MsRidiculous, can I add that you two look awesome! Good info on the ECP pad, I had the same questions as the OP.
Thanks! I am lucky to have a pretty cool horse. 
I have put both on horses, and they are both nice. The Ecogold is a bit thicker and stiffer while the ECP feels more like a “normal” pad. Both keep the saddle in a good spot.
I just went straight for the ECP’s since they look identical and the ECPs are cheaper. I have three, a black contoured pad for cross country and two white full sized dressage pads for dressage. I show in one and school in the other. I’ve had these going on 3, maybe four years. Have washed them in the washing machine and hosed them off repeatedly. I always hang dry them and they’re holding up great. They do not slip and I have one draft cross who tends to be on the fluffy side and he has a layer of blubber beneath his hide which is very smooshy. He’s why I went for these pads in the first place because I was noticing a lot of saddle creep with just plain cotton pads, and the ECPs were the fix for that.
While I love Ecogolds Customer service, their pads were disappointing. Mine slipped, and didn’t wash up well. The under material gets hard and crusty, plus they stain easily.
Another consideration are the Ogilvy XC pads, they wash great, don’t slip and are customizable!
Can someone post a link to the ECP pads they recommend?
Thanks!
These, the Grip Tech: http://www.ridingwarehouse.com/ECP_G…ml?from=900fbp
And there’s almost always a 15% off RW coupon floating around. The code BCHC15 should still be working I think.
Thank you!
I’ve had both and they are actually very different. The Ecogold has grippy material on both the underside, and the saddle side. The ECP only has grippy material on the saddle side, with a brushed cotton material on the underside again the horse. So, it really depends on your needs.
That said, I no longer have an Ecogold pad, as I do not use them anymore because they do not hold up well. The rubber grip material along the front of my last one completely deteriorated with minimal use, and only occasional use of a breastplate. The underside, that was designed to provide non-slip qualities on the horse, because smooth and slippery. This was from less than a year of occasional use by an amateur riding only one horse (not a pro riding 6 horses a day), and being laundered as per guidelines in a washer with no agitator. They are expensive and I expected a lot more.
The ECP pad is nice and I really have no complaints. It’s not my favorite pad by all means but it fits multiple saddles well and has held up well.
My new favorite pad is Success Equestrian, as they make grip style pads in multiple shapes (to include XC), but they are a LOT more durable than Ecogold. The square pads are a lot more traditional looking than Ecogold but with the benefit of the breathable grip material. They aren’t the cheapest pads on the planet (cheaper than Ecogold), but I have two that have been used and washed a lot (probably 2+ years old), and both wash up like new.
Whoops! I completely forgot I posted about this!
It looks like I forgot to say what I was actually looking for in a xc pad. I would like a pad that keeps my horse cool whilst out on course. I know eg claims their pads keep a horse 8 degrees cooler and I find that quite appealing.
I know quite few people who own and adore ecogolds, I just don’t know if it would be worth spending $160 on a saddle pad if I’m only going BN.
Basically I’m hoping for a magical product that keeps my horse cool and costs as little as possible.
Go for Ogilvy, they are cool, affordable, and customizable. Plus wash up great.
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