New Thinline Sheepskin Half Pad or Total Saddle Fit Sheepskin?

[TatteredDaydreamer]

I do have an inquiry to my saddle fitter, but curious about which of these half pads you’d choose and why:

https://www.smartpakequine.com/pt/total-saddle-fit-six-point-wither-freedom-sheepskin-half-pad-18184?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_content=nb_shopping_tack_dsk_3p&utm_campaign=&utm_term=2109813572&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIsK3yos7Z6AIVR9yGCh3YCAPBEAQYASABEgI77fD_BwE

Total Saddle Fit Pad

https://www.smartpakequine.com/pt/thinline-trifecta-full-sheepskin-half-pad-22514?_br_psugg_q=thinline

Thinline Pad

I do need the option to shim, and my mare is older and a bit asymmetrical, so I need some padding to fill in the gaps for my saddle. It’s been professionally fitted the best we can without going custom. She doesn’t work super hard anymore, so I want to keep her as comfortable as I can. I have the Thinline Trifecta cotton pad that I like, but I need a bit extra padding.

Thanks!

[EVneo]

I have a personal ban on anything TSF as their customer service blows and product quality is hit or miss. I tend to like thinline products anyways. These are two very different products though - with the TSF, you have 6 places to shim, the thinline you don’t. My aging lady started to develop a sway back and the 6 pocket shim pad was invaluable (just for trail rides and little kid lessons). I got the ovation one though https://www.ovationriding.com/product/europa-sheepskin-6-shim-half-pad/. If mattes had a 6-pocket shim pad though, that’d be my number 1 choice. I think thinline also makes shims they sell separately - best of both worlds!

[TatteredDaydreamer]

The Thinline pad you can add shims to the front or the back, just not in six spots like the TSF pad.

Thanks for the info!

Bumping this up as I’d love to hear if anyone has experience with either pad!

[mmeqcenter]

I have a ThinLine shimmable sheepskin lined (just the outer edge, not full sheepskin underneath too) half pad and though I loved it, the sheepskin started peeling off after about 18 months. They have a 12 month warranty and won’t do a thing after that. I never even washed it, it never once got wet, it just started peeling away in huge chunks. It’s now all gone, I pulled it all off, the patchy look was not cute. Call me crazy, but I expect a $200 half pad to last far longer than two years.
I’ve seen several reviews on here of people having the same issue with ThinLine pads, and have a friend it also happened to.

[Mouse_amp_Bay]

Mattes platinum with shimmable option.

I just retired the pad I purchased in 2000. Best bang for the buck.

[Scribbler]

If the horse has a sagging back and the saddle bridges then you need a 6 pocket shim pad.

If the horse just needs help at withers you can use a 4 pocket shim.

The number of pockets is more important than the brand. I have a TSF 6 pocket shim sheepskin pad. Since they go over a cloth pad they do not need frequent washing and don’t get that much wear. I’ve had it over a year and it is just fine.

My only options locally were TSF sheepskin or Thinline ordered from my saddle fitter or Le Mieux lambskin from a tack store. Mattes doesn’t seem to make a 6 pocket shim.

[TatteredDaydreamer]

Thanks everyone! I’ll have to do some more research on my end.

[NaturallyHappy]

EVneo, thanks for posting about the Ovation pad.

[TatteredDaydreamer]

A friend suggested this half pad too, has anyone seen/tried it?

https://www.lemieuxproducts.com/saddle-pad/corrective-pads/pro-sorb-half-pads/pro-sorb-lambskin-3-pocket-half-pad-black-black-system

[Scribbler]

@TatteredDaydreamer

A friend suggested this half pad too, has anyone seen/tried it?

https://www.lemieuxproducts.com/sadd…k-black-system

My saddle fitter said the lambskin was less durable than the sheepskin on other brands. It was the only 6 pocket shim pad available retail locally.

I’m.not sure if this particular model is lambskin or lambswool, manufactured into fleece. I see though that they only have lambswool products so I assume this is lambskin. But something you would want to check before ordering.

”‹”‹”‹”‹”‹”‹

[Ganymede_1]

Disclaimer- I work for ThinLine:) The sheepskin used for our pads was changed last fall. The quality of the sheepskin we used for years began to decline in quality and the new sheepskin is top notch. We are no longer seeing any issues with the wool coming off of the hide.

We also have new Woven Wool pads that are a great alternative to sheepskin on a hide. They offer the same performance and feel as sheepskin, but are easier to care for, super durable, and much nicer for the sheep! As of now, it’s only offered in a full dressage pad, but may be available on the half pads down the road.

Also, the pads have open pockets so the shims can be placed exactly where needed.

[StormyDay]

OP, have you looked at prolite pads? They aren’t as popular in the US but they are shimmable, the shims are memory foam. Mattes pads, while they are sheepskin lined, have felt as the shim.

[TatteredDaydreamer]

@Ganymede 1

Disclaimer- I work for ThinLine:) The sheepskin used for our pads was changed last fall. The quality of the sheepskin we used for years began to decline in quality and the new sheepskin is top notch. We are no longer seeing any issues with the wool coming off of the hide.

We also have new Woven Wool pads that are a great alternative to sheepskin on a hide. They offer the same performance and feel as sheepskin, but are easier to care for, super durable, and much nicer for the sheep! As of now, it’s only offered in a full dressage pad, but may be available on the half pads down the road.

Also, the pads have open pockets so the shims can be placed exactly where needed.

Thanks! Still considering this as an option!

[dynamite0319]

I have a Thinline Sheepskin pad that i’ve had for at least 2 years and I love it. I’ve had zero quality issues and I’ve washed it at least 3 times. I don’t have experience with the TSF pad, so I cannot provide a comparison.

[TatteredDaydreamer]

Thanks!

[Unfforgettable]

Be advised, what TSF calls sheepskin is not. it is real wool, but with a fabric backing, not actual sheepskin. I brought this to their attention a couple years ago, and pretty much got a “yeah, so what” response.