Half pads: Ogilvy vs. Acavallo vs. ???

[billiebob]

My horse had his back injected last November and my vet suggested trying different half pads for him. Turns out he loves the Ogilvy a friend is lending to me. I’m looking to purchase one but I’m wondering if there’s something similar that is decent quality. I’ve been eyeing this Acavallo one but have never seen it in person:

http://www.ridingwarehouse.com/Acavallo_Anti-Slip_Memory_Gel_Medium_Half_Pad/descpage-AMGP.html

I love how my horse goes in the Ogilvy but man do I hate riding in it. It makes my saddle slide. I used a Thinline previously (I loved it for my back but horse was indifferent) and Ecogold got a big fat NO from His Highness. I have a shimmable Mattes but that’s currently adjusted for my jumping saddle that needs a bit more lift in front. As always, money is somewhat of a concern and I really don’t want to splash out a ton of $$$ for something that annoys me as much as the Ogilvy.

Saddle fit has been addressed and his dressage saddle actually looks great besides being a smidge wide. He’s always preferred his saddle to fit a little wider than ideal.

[sammy14]

How big is your saddle? I have an acavallo in the lrg size and it’s too small for my 17.5 dressage saddle but fits my 17 well and is my fave. I use a mattes or ogilvy under the 17.5 which I like too. Ogilvy make (or used to make) a thin unobtrusive pad which is the one I have and like.,

[CanteringCarrot]

I like Thinline or Prolite for unobtrusive back protection. I think you can grab a regular Thinline for around $80.00 on sale at VTO right now, or maybe Riding Warehouse carries them? Both places are/were having 20% off sales.

[kcmel]

My vet hates Thinline, just FYI. She says it makes more horses back sore than it helps. YMMV.

ETA: She suggests just a fluffy synthetic fleece pad. Oh the horror!:eek::lol:

[CanteringCarrot]

@kcmel

My vet hates Thinline, just FYI. She says it makes more horses back sore than it helps. YMMV.

ETA: She suggests just a fluffy synthetic fleece pad. Oh the horror!:eek::lol:

While I don’t not believe this, did she say why/how?

[kcmel]

@CanteringCarrot

While I don’t not believe this, did she say why/how?

Something about the properties of the material, but I don’t remember the details. (Not helpful I know. I will ask next time I see her and resurrect this thread).

[fordtraktor]

Try Invictus. It is the best for protection and doesn’t make you feel like you are sitting on the Princess and the Pea’s mattress.

[CanteringCarrot]

@fordtraktor

Try Invictus. It is the best for protection and doesn’t make you feel like you are sitting on the Princess and the Pea’s mattress.

$250.00 may be a bit much if the OP is concerned with pricing. Of course the OP can decide that. I’ve been considering one myself. Are they quite thin?

They are about 160 Euro here, so not quite as bad.

[fordtraktor]

They are thin. You can also shim them but the shins are extra.

they aren’t much more than an Ogilvy, though. If OP is willing to buy that except she doesn’t like the feel, it is at least a good option to try. I believe Mary’s has a loaner you can try.

i have an ogilvy, Acavallo gel and Thinline but I use the Invictus on basically everything in my barn. It is really nice. I dislike Ogilvy for the same reason OP does.

[CanteringCarrot]

@fordtraktor

They are thin. You can also shim them but the shins are extra.

they aren’t much more than an Ogilvy, though. If OP is willing to buy that except she doesn’t like the feel, it is at least a good option to try. I believe Mary’s has a loaner you can try.

i have an ogilvy, Acavallo gel and Thinline but I use the Invictus on basically everything in my barn. It is really nice.

Oh yes, I think I remember hearing about Mary’s or maybe Bit of Britain having loaners. That’s a good idea. I have heard other good reviews of the Invictus and many have gone to it from a Thinline.

[soloudinhere]

I have an acavallo ultralite pad and I really like it. I had to special order it, but it is a really cool material.

ETA: This one: http://www.acavallo.com/ac_product/piuma-air-release-featherlight-pad-cut-eco-wool/

[MysticOakRanch]

@kcmel

My vet hates Thinline, just FYI. She says it makes more horses back sore than it helps. YMMV.

ETA: She suggests just a fluffy synthetic fleece pad. Oh the horror!:eek::lol:

I don’t know the vet, but I tried a thinline, and my mare said “oh hell no”. So there may be something to it… Best results I’ve had are with real sheepskin pads, fwiw. And Back on Track pads on cold days.

[billiebob]

@sammy14

How big is your saddle? I have an acavallo in the lrg size and it’s too small for my 17.5 dressage saddle but fits my 17 well and is my fave. I use a mattes or ogilvy under the 17.5 which I like too. Ogilvy make (or used to make) a thin unobtrusive pad which is the one I have and like.,

My saddle’s a 19 so size of the pad is definitely a concern. I might look into the thinner Ogilvy, I hadn’t thought about that one.

@CanteringCarrot I used a Thinline for years buuuut I cut mine up to use as shims for my Mattes pad. And my vet also isn’t impressed with them or Ogilvys. She lent me her Ogilvy to try and of course the horse loves it.

@fordtraktor I’ll look into Invictus as well. I don’t mind spending $$$ if it’s a well made product that I like and a loaner program is a great idea. I live about 3 hours from the nearest English tack shop so I can’t just go browse the Dover store and squish half pads in my spare time.

[Goforward]

I have an Acavallo memory foam with the sticky gel on top. The gel is REALLY sticky, annoyingly so. And, the pad is huge. I bought it as a temporary filler for a too wide saddle until the saddle fitter could get to me. The horse hated it. I’ve since tried it on other horses but generally haven’t found it to be of much use. It did, however, drain $170 from my bank account :sadsmile:

[Forte]

I absolutely adore my Acavallo pads but I use the gel pads no memory foam. They are thin enough that they don’t change the saddle fit but they provide extra cushioning and the non slip properties of the gel keep everything in place. I use the “just gel” pad with sheepskin trim

[crthunder]

Does anyone know if Invictus shims would fit in a Mattes pad with pockets? I tried thinline shims (fit perfect) but made mr. Sensitive didn’t approve. He likes the fluff of the mattes half pad so his saddle is fitted for it but I think a little extra shock absorption may benefit both of us.