Is there anything similar to Thinline out there?

[Bristol_Bay]

The Thinline pad I want, the one that is just the Thinline material, no cotton or fluff, is backordered until February of next year. I was looking for one because the horse I just bought is f.a.t. and I can’t buy a new saddle until he’s in shape. So by February, I won’t need the pad, but for now, I’d like something without a lot of bulk as the loaner saddle barely fits him.

Ovation Contour Gel Pad is the only thing somewhat similar. Anything else out there I might try?

As a last resort, I could cut the cotton off an old Trifecta I have and use that, but that’s money down the drain because they sell for what I paid for it new on eBay.

[Scribbler]

There are many many shim or Cushion pads out there. What have you looked at so far?

[Bristol_Bay]

I own two Thinline Trifectas with all the shims. It’s not that I need to shim the saddle. It’s just that it’s an old Crosby that barely is wide enough, so I need some cushioning but no bulk. The saddle is old and the panels have very little give to them. It’s hard on my back.

[2bayboys]

I like the Prolite pads. Prolite Relief Pad (hcsusasaddlery.com)

[Renn_aissance]

Your goal is to have a thin pad that has shock-absorbent qualities?

You might look at EcoGold. They look thick, and yes, they are thicker than a ThinLine, but the material compresses under pressure. I really like the product.

[StormyDay]

I would also say prolite is the closest to thin line. Another one is equifit.
Have you tried eBay, used tack stores, etc? It’s rare I go into a used tack store and don’t see a thin line for sale

[Bristol_Bay]

Yes, I have, and all the pads for sale are similar to the ones I have. I imagine people don’t sell the basic pads because there’s nothing to wear out on them.

[Bristol_Bay]

Thank you. I emailed them about the particulars.

[Pennywell_Bay]

I have the best gel type pad. It has individual little bubbles, not a whole slab of gel. It is shock absorbent and gives almost no extra bulk. It also doesn’t have any gel along the “spine” so tucks up very nicely into the gullet (my saddle was custom saddle for my horse and I wanted a little additional cushion and no bulk).

[Bristol_Bay]

What brand is it?

[Pennywell_Bay]

https://greatbritishequinery.com/shop/ols/products/vip-equestrian-saddle-pad

Full disclosure- if you google VIP pads, they use them directly on the horse’s back. I do not, I have a friend who does but I prefer it over my pad.

and I stand corrected- it isn’t “gel” it is “visco elastic polymer” ( gel ha ha) . And I don’t use it directly on their back, I put it between my saddle and the pad.

I have the black pad because when I bought it last year it was all they had. I put my square pad or fitted on first, I put the gel bubbles down against the pad and the smooth side against my saddle ( most people do the gel bubble against the saddle and smooth side down- I like it better gel down).

I was going to buy the white one- buy you can’t even see the black with my saddle on. I have had it over a year and LOVE it.

I’ll upload a picture tonight with my saddle on it.

What I love about it- no cover to wash, stores easily, doesn’t add bulk, you can’t tell it is there, I feel a difference when I ride without it and I am sure my horse does as well.

ETA- you can order VIPs not just from the link I sent above- that is the saddlery I primarily use now because they are a small business, they are fantastic to work with, when a square pad of mine got a tear they immediately replaced it, and I love their velvet type square pads for schooling. I have 3 of them now and adore them.

[Bristol_Bay]

“ The material behaves just like fat and skin, so when using the VIP, you’re effectively adding a thin layer of fat to your horse’s back to offer better cushioning.”

Lol if you only knew how fat my horse is!

Sounds interesting and I’ll check them out.

[Clover5]

Maybe an Invictus saddle pad? I haven’t personally tried one but got to look at a barnmate’s - it’s quite thin and seemed quite nice, squishing it it felt like it could do a nice job of reducing concussion. I’d probably get one if I find myself needing another half pad.

The pads I do have are a thinline and an equifit; the equifit is thicker but molds when it warms up a little, and seems to have nice impact protection.

[Bristol_Bay]

COTH worked its magic and I found one local to me to buy.

Thank you, everyone!

[2bayboys]

I did some some research on the VIP pad based on your suggestion and I’m going to try it! I have one horse that is very sensitive to fit and tends to get sore and stiff in his back so I hope it helps!

[Pennywell_Bay]

@2bayboys let me know if you like it. My horse and I love it. Again- I don’t use it exactly like they have on the site and I prefer it that way.