I’m looking to get a new sheepskin halfpad for my saddle. It’s an 18" saddle with pretty wide panels. I’m trying to find one that’s both long enough and wide enough inbetween the fleece rolls. All of the measurements given on websites seem to take the total length of the pad, and don’t have any info about the width. Can someone recommend a pad that’s relatively large, both in length and width? I found a website that lists the Large Mattes with rear trim to be 22.5" long, but if that is including the sheepskin it seems like it will be too short. For those of you who ride in Mattes pads with the rear trim, do you have Large or XL pads? Roma also makes a Large Dressage half pad, but I can’t find any sizing info on that either. Any other brands that you like? Thanks for the help!
The Engel pads, which I have sung the praises of on multiple other threads (95% as nice as Mattes at 1/3 the price–and I say this as someone who likes and has owned the Mattes products), run pretty darn big. I don’t know the exact measurements on the Engel Large half pads, but let’s just say that my friend ordered one for her 17.5" CC saddle and it looks ridiculously big. At least two inches hanging out on every side. Engel markets their size Large half pads for saddles up to 18.5".
If you have any specific sizing questions, Arete Saddlery is one of their dealers and they are very nice there. I’m sure they’d be happy to measure for you.
http://www.aretesaddlery.com/tack/sheepskin-saddle-pads/half-contour-pads/half-pad-rolled-edge/prod_101.html
I have a 18 1/2" and a 19" saddle and the only pad that works for them is the Rambo polypad. It doesn’t shrink when you wash it and even though it doesn’t have straps it doesn’t shift or creep. My saddle stays in firmly place. Love this pad!
Go buy yourself a real full sheepskin. (Find them on eBay or look on line for where to order them).
Cut it into the size you need. Put in on the horse fleece down. Put a dressage pad over it.
It will stay in place very well. And you can launder the fleece and the pad separately.
I have several pads like this. It is much less expensive and more flexible.
I had a Christ/Horsedream that fit my 18" Lazer great! But that sucker was THICK!
I use integrated pads, aka sheepskin sewn in to the full pad, because I like how the sheepskin follows the contour down the “arms” down the panel at the front of the saddle, no abrupt end like halfpad might have. I do use engle pads, and will second that they are very very nice. I also have christ horse dream, and mattes as comparison.
but, I am doing what mjhco suggested, and purchased my own full sheepskin hides and am constructing my own.
I use an X-Large Mattes pad under my 18" Albion GP. Most standard pads are too short for my saddle. Here is a picture:
http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j115/ReganAXP/IMG_3882.jpg
Without the rear trim, a Large Mattes pad works fine.
Also, something to keep in mind… in order to get the benefits of a sheepskin pad, the sheepskin should be in direct contact with the horse. This is why I prefer the full Mattes pads to the 1/2 pads.
I will second the Engel pad. Great price and great product. I have a 19" dressage saddle and I am using the large Engel with no rear trim and it is plenty big enough for my saddle. I just washed it for the first time and it came out looking terrific. (Regular machine washed, laid flat to dry.)
I found a place online that sells them with free shipping, I think it was a great deal all around:
[QUOTE=Zevida;4680604]
I found a place online that sells them with free shipping, I think it was a great deal all around:
http://www.sheepskindeals.com/halfpads.html[/QUOTE]
I found a ventilated saddle pad their website which seemed interesting for a pad w/ integrated sheepskin: http://www.sheepskindeals.com/whdrbblb.html Anyone ever try one of these? It seems like a cool idea if it works!
^^ that is precisely the one I have and I love it and use it almost exclusively. The sheepskin isn’t quite as lofty as mattes or christ horsedream, but still quite nice, and half the price (I bought mine new on ebay for $70 iirc). I love the clear vented spine, especially for wide channeled dressage saddles.
I will be back at my barn on Sunday, would you like me to get you measurements?
Engel
I have an 18.5" dressage saddle that fits easily into Engel sheepskin pads with both cantle and pommel rolls.
I use a vented one on my AP saddle which is 17.5". Again, fits well, works well.
I agree w/jn4jenny and Zevida: great products, great price.
Engel
I have an 18.5" dressage saddle that fits easily into Engel sheepskin pads with both cantle and pommel rolls.
I use a vented one on my AP saddle which is 17.5". Again, fits well, works well.
I agree w/jn4jenny and Zevida: great products, great price.
I love the Mattes Sheepskin half pads. If you get a large w/o rear trim it fits everything- even a 19" saddle perfectly. They are pricey but last forever if you take care of it. All you have to do is keep it “brushed” and through it in the wash with some Melp and it is as good as new!
As others have said, it doesnt do much good to not have the sheepskin over a saddle pad, you need to have it against your horses skin. You can easily just through a regular saddle pad over a half pad- just make sure that you pull both up into the gullet of your saddle. They will stay put, and your horse will be much happier.
Here is a great source for Mattes pads…
They are in Germany. I won a couple of Mattes pads from these folks on eBay and was very pleased with the service and prices. Unfortunately, they haven’t had anything on eBay in a very long time, so I don’t think they’re selling there any longer. They’ll let you pick colors and sizes too - including XL which most US sellers don’t offer.
I have an 18" wide paneled saddle and the XL Fleeceworks fits great. The ones I use have the back sheepskin roll but it does not come up the sides like some of them do. I find that tends to interfere with the flap of the saddle. Good luck. Jan :yes:
