Lami-cell half pad for a treeless saddle?

[WillardsMom]

Alright so I am super pumped. I will acquiring my new-to-me treeless torsion endurance saddle in a week or so. With my growing and ever changing gelding who is going on 4, I’d like a non-treed saddle because this whole trying to find a treed saddle that fits JUST RIGHT is killing me. So I took the leap and got a really good deal on a torsion.

So anyway, to my actual question… I know it is needed to have a treeless saddle pad for your treeless saddle, totally get that. However, looking at all of the saddle pad options, they essentially just look like that have my half bad stuffed in the middle of a regular saddle pad…right or wrong?

I currently have this lami-cell saddle pad and I absolutely LOVE it and I can tell my gelding does too:

http://www.jefferspet.com/products/blk-lami-cell-full-shock-memory-pad

I’ve used it every time I ride with my current hunt seat saddle, with a regular heavy quilted English pad on top. Can I continue this saddle pad combo for my new treeless or no? And if not, could someone explain why? Just want to make sure I fully understand, as I want to make sure my gelding is as comfy as possible. Thank you!

[chicamux]

I believe your Torsion saddle will be several inches longer along the spine than your hunt saddle. If it is significantly longer the torsikns pommel and or cantle pressure may be partly off the halfpad which could cause pressure problems. A really good reason to go with a pad made for treeless saddles is the inserts are usually in pockets that can be opened up. This allows you to add shims to really customize your saddle fit and level your saddle.

I totally understand wanting to find a more cost effective pad choice. You can shop for used treeless pads on various FB and yahoo groups. Or you can get creative and convert a lower cost endurance shaped saddle pad into a pocket pad by opening front edge seams and then placing tack stitches in the right places to hold self made inserts in place. Some pad mfgrs sell the foam inserts alone.

[WillardsMom]

[QUOTE=chicamux;8408210]
I believe your Torsion saddle will be several inches longer along the spine than your hunt saddle. If it is significantly longer the torsikns pommel and or cantle pressure may be partly off the halfpad which could cause pressure problems. A really good reason to go with a pad made for treeless saddles is the inserts are usually in pockets that can be opened up. This allows you to add shims to really customize your saddle fit and level your saddle.

I totally understand wanting to find a more cost effective pad choice. You can shop for used treeless pads on various FB and yahoo groups. Or you can get creative and convert a lower cost endurance shaped saddle pad into a pocket pad by opening front edge seams and then placing tack stitches in the right places to hold self made inserts in place. Some pad mfgrs sell the foam inserts alone.[/QUOTE]

Thank you so much chicamux! My half pad is actually quite longer than my hunt saddle but I totally get what you are saying in regards to be able to custom shim. If the pad is too short, I definitely won’t even bother to try it, but if it fits length wise I may give it a go just to see.

Good ideas on the creating your own! I never thought to even try that. I will probably, regardless, keep my eye out for a used treeless saddle pad to snatch up for the right price. Thank you for your input!