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Five Star v. Diamond Wool v. Classic Equine

Western
#1

I know Five Star gets the best reviews - are they warranted or is it just the “name”. I’m a western novice and will say that with English pads, I definately will pay the extra for the Ogilvy baby pads because they really are THAT good and not just the name.

I’m getting a new Circle Y for my OTTB and need a new good wool felt pad. So worth it for the extra $$ for the Five Star?

And if I do go with the Five Star, will the light color get filthy on a black horse (because for whatever reason, they charge almost $50 more for the chocolate and black pads).

Thanks all!!

Getting from Riding Warehouse - these are their felt pads and I just have to give them a shout out because they are awesome, always so incredibly helpful and friendly, not something you find these days and they are ALWAYS kind and courteous.

http://www.ridingwarehouse.com/Felt_Underside_Saddle_Pads/catpage-FUP.html

#2

I actually don’t like the wool felt pads and prefer wool fleece from Toklat (can also be found at Riding Warehouse). But I know many here will favor the 5Star pads for sure. IME, the felt pads are too bulky under my saddle, particularly around the withers.

#3

Love, love, love 5 Star.

I bought Red’s first pad about 5 years ago and I won’t be going back. I am still using his first pad on him and it still looks great, and cleans up like new. It’s gotten hard use.

I have tried both Diamond Wool and Classic Equine. Compared to 5 Star, both of those are STIFF. I just love how buttery soft the wool is on the 5 Star and that’s part of what has me sold on them. Also the fact that they do hold up.

They charge more for the darker pads, I believe, because it has to be dyed.

Of course the bottom side of the pad will pick up black hair from your horse, like ANY pad will, but the top will be fine.

#4

I have a Diamond Wool contoured ranch pad and I LOVE it. I haven’t tried the others for a comparison though. It is a little stiff, but I actually like that it holds it’s shape and the contour is great. Makes it fit really nice on the back and brings it up in front off the withers. Plus it has the cut out for the wither too. I originally bought it for kind of shark finned withered guy, but since have used it on just about every back type around and it works good on all of them.

http://www.diamondwoolpads.com/products/details/2

#5

Many here use this kind of pad training and for trail riding and are very happy with it:

https://www.valleyvet.com/ct_detail.html?pgguid=8babd425-af58-4b5b-8da8-1dd55055a60f#tab-review

It comes in different thickness and shapes.

#6

http://www.sstack.com/product/dura-tech-miracle-felt-liner-pad/

I like the thin pad that can go into the washing machine. The fat pads get too dirty too quick and are too hard to clean.

#7

[QUOTE=Bluey;8471207]
Many here use this kind of pad training and for trail riding and are very happy with it:

https://www.valleyvet.com/ct_detail.html?pgguid=8babd425-af58-4b5b-8da8-1dd55055a60f#tab-review

It comes in different thickness and shapes.[/QUOTE]

I’ve had an Impact Gel pad in the past too. One thing I did not like about it, is it seemed to get hard in cold temperatures (below freezing).

#8

I hate felt pads. If you actually look at the science they don’t provide much impact protection at all. They’re just space fillers. I’ve had a 5 star, classic equine, seen plenty of diamond wool pads at my barn. They’re all put together fine but none of them impress me and I hate the profile shape of all of them.

#9

Hopefully your butt is sitting pretty relaxed and in the saddle so there is not much impacting going on! If your activities have you pounding up and down in the saddle, causing lots of impact, then I guess you should go for a big fat pad. The day my butt starts hitting the saddle like a dropped bowling ball is the day I dismount for good. I’m stating my personal preference for the type of riding I do. Someone who rides different, of course, may have a different preference.

#10

I just got a Toklat Woolback from Riding Warehouse (yes, they are fab!). I love my treeless, my Arab with withers not so big a fan of it. Last ditch effort before going with custom saddle was to try the woolback- he loves it! Goes like a dream in the saddle he was “meh” about before.

#11

[QUOTE=Diamontaire;8472471]
I just got a Toklat Woolback from Riding Warehouse (yes, they are fab!). I love my treeless, my Arab with withers not so big a fan of it. Last ditch effort before going with custom saddle was to try the woolback- he loves it! Goes like a dream in the saddle he was “meh” about before.[/QUOTE]

Those look interesting.

#12

[QUOTE=Palm Beach;8472432]
Hopefully your butt is sitting pretty relaxed and in the saddle so there is not much impacting going on! If your activities have you pounding up and down in the saddle, causing lots of impact, then I guess you should go for a big fat pad. The day my butt starts hitting the saddle like a dropped bowling ball is the day I dismount for good. I’m stating my personal preference for the type of riding I do. Someone who rides different, of course, may have a different preference.[/QUOTE]

I have no idea what this post is supposed to imply (or not). I was inquiring about felt pads because that is what I was advised to get for the saddle I am getting. This was a simple post about felt pads and whether five stars were as good as I’d heard. Thank you.

#13

[QUOTE=LoriW;8473176]
I have no idea what this post is supposed to imply (or not). I was inquiring about felt pads because that is what I was advised to get for the saddle I am getting. This was a simple post about felt pads and whether five stars were as good as I’d heard. Thank you.[/QUOTE]

I believe PalmBeach was responding to Rusty15’s post; not yours.

I agree with PalmBeach. Why do you need impact protection in a saddle pad? What sort of “impact” is your saddle going to do to the horse if you are riding correctly and the saddle fits well?

Curious; if you don’t like felt pads, what DO you like?

#14

[QUOTE=beau159;8473700]
I believe PalmBeach was responding to Rusty15’s post; not yours.

I agree with PalmBeach. Why do you need impact protection in a saddle pad? What sort of “impact” is your saddle going to do to the horse if you are riding correctly and the saddle fits well?

Curious; if you don’t like felt pads, what DO you like?[/QUOTE]

Thank you for clarifying. I’m sitting here recovering from brain surgery and I guess feeling a little sorry for myself and then thought I was being dissed!!! I do think I’m leaning towards the 5 Star Beau and thank you all for your input. I do appreciate it very much since I know so little. I have to again reiterate after speaking with Riding Warehouse again today - they are truly remarkable in terms of customer service. They go out of there way and in this day and age, its so refreshing!!

#15

A friend had a certified saddle fitter out last weekend and she said 5 Stars are the best. Of course, ask three more and you’ll get three different answers. I’m going to buy one soon. My Impact Gel needs replacing, and yes, they get hard in cold weather.

I also have a Diamond Wool with shims that I like, but I believe the quality of the 5 Star is better. Less recycled wool or something.

#16

Thank you LoriW for posting this question. I have been thinking about buying a 5 star pad as well for my 6 year QH mare, For all of you that have purchased a 5 star pad, how did you decide on the thickness of the pad?

Can you tell me which thickness you bought and if you like the thickness. I am not sure between the 7/8" or the 3/4" - I know the 7/8" is thicker but how thick?

Thanks.

#17

Speedy recovery, OP. I was not aiming my post anyone in particular. Just remembering a video for a saddle pad where a bowling ball was dropped on it to show how impact absorbing it was. Some stuff is just overrated. Like beau said, the most important part is saddle fit. There is already padding in the saddle, so adding 5/8 or more of padding does not make sense to me.

#18

Have had all 3, 5 Star is by far the best.

#19

My motto is “less is more”.

Red’s saddle fits him perfectly so he has a 1/2" pad. Works great. Don’t need much padding when the saddle already fits so well.

Shotgun had a very small amount of growing room to do so I got him a 3/4" pad for now; next year, I’ll get him a 1/2" because that will work better as he fills out.

#20

And a nice mohair blanket on top of the 5 Star pad is pure perfection.

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