felt pad or gel pad

[colorfan]

What do you think of the felt pads like ‘English contour pad’?

My application is for a youngster that is developing muscle and for an older mare who came with muscle atrophy due to a long term poor saddle.

I have used a sheepskin with inserts but this seems too thick, and wonder if it wouldn’t keep the muscle from rebuilding if there is too much pressure.
I have borrowed a gel pad that I liked but wonder how it would work in below freezing temperatures?
The felt pads seem to be gaining in popularity, what are the pros and cons?
thank you.

[mvp]

IME, felt pads are thicker and less pliable than sheepskin. Do you have a modern source of felt that’s pretty thin?

I like gel a bit better than felt for a combination of fit and shock absorption.

[Traumerei]

The concept of a gel pad is excellent. However if your saddle is uneven (flocking) or you sit more to one side the gel in the pad may shift putting more pressure on various areas of the back. Please know this probably does not apply to all gel pads, but as a CESMT I find a good amount of horses are back sore when using a gel pad.

Felt is good and provides stability. Even pressure throughout. They also “breathe” more than gel pads.

Sheepskin are my favorite. A good quality sheepskin half pad provides stability and a nice amount of padding with out feeling like the saddle is sitting to high off the horse’s back. Personally I like the Matrix brand. The front of the pad also extends down further so there is less bulk around the withers. Also has some “shock” absorber pads to help the more sensitive areas of the back.

[colorfan]

Traumerei
What thickness would you recommend?

[Traumerei]

I like this one: http://www.diamondwoolpads.com/products/details/50

It has pockets for shims. It is not as “pretty” as sheepskin, but very durable and functional. To create a clean look I made a cover for it out of a white pillow case. Looks very nice next to a white pad

It is probably more for an endurance saddle, but it works well under my dressage saddle.