Non-Slip Saddle Pad Recommendations

[IdahoRider]

So, I purchased a new-to-me Sommer a couple of months ago and had a saddle fitter work on it to get the best possible fit for my gelding.

I am very, very happy with how this saddle is working for both me and my horse. During one of the conversations with the fitter I mentioned that I have had an on-going problem with saddles slipping, some more than others. She pointed out that my Arab gelding just has a body shape that encourages slippage.

Can anyone recommend a good non-slip dressage pad? I have been looking on-line and in catalogs and am seeing non-slip saddle pads and the smaller non-slip pads that sit between the horse and the regular saddle pad. Any insight into which works better? Any brand better than another? What about an Ultra Thinline? Would I get non-slip qualities with a Thinline?
Sheilah

[retrofit]

You don’t mention if it’s slipping forward or back. If it’s slipping forward, you would not want to use a typical non-slip pad, as it could irritate your horse’s back rubbing against the hair.

In that case, I love the Ecogold Frictionless pads. They have grippy stuff on the sides, but not under the saddle. Pricey, but worth it and they last forever. If you can use a larger size dressage pad, VTO has a decent knock off. I have a short-flap saddle and these are too big for me, alas.

Also if it’s slipping forward, see if your girth is contributing. If your horse’s girth groove is just behind his elbows, you may benefit from an anatomically shaped girth. I love the Prestige anatomic girth, but there are others out there cheaper. (Not as nice though, IMO.)

If it’s slipping back, any cheap non-slip pad might help. Nunn Finer makes one, and I’ve heard of people using either a wet chamois (yeah, like from Pep Boys) or a Stephens Gel-Eze wrap (meant to be a leg wrap).

If you don’t need an anatomic girth, you could also try a grippier girth, like the Soft Touch girths. VTO has them on sale for $20. I love them - just hose them off when you’re done - and my somewhat girthy mare approves too (as much as she will ever approve of an evil girth, ha ha).

A thinline pad can help somewhat no matter which direction the saddle is going.

Just keep in mind that saddle solutions are usually a combination of things, not a magic bullet. Good luck!

[BigHorseLittleHorse]

I agree with everything that retrofit said, but I also want to put in a plug for the Barnsby Grip Pad - it’s pricey, but excellent quality and really sharp-looking. And the saddle stays PUT. I think Smartpak sells them.

[IdahoRider]

Ha! I never thought to include the information that the slip is forward. Not by much, but with a fairly short backed horse to begin with, one who has no withers to speak of, it is noticeable. I have been repositioning the saddle after warming up and that seems to work. But it would be nice to not have to do that.

I use a Trilogy girth. There is some anatomical shape to it, but not as much as some that I have seen in catalogs.
Sheilah

[IdahoRider]

What About This?

http://www.dressageextensions.com/ProductDetail.asp?KEY=2506

I am not very good with links, so I might have to keep trying to get it right!
Sheilah

[IdahoRider]

I wanted to add that I appreciate the advice! Thank you so much. Keep it coming!
Sheilah

[Eclectic_Horseman]

I like to use a crupper with horses whose saddle slips forward. That’s what they are specifically meant for–and they work well. Horses get used to them right away and they work.

I got my Arab sized crupper from justforponies.com

[arabiansrock]

Ditto the Barnsby Grip pad. I have 2 and love them. They are better than the one you linked to because they have anti slip stuff on the bottom and on the top. My mare has a problem with saddle slipping forward and these help alot, and she never has irritation from using them so I disagree with Retrofit on that point. it may however be best to start with one pad to make sure there is no irritation before you spend lots on multiples of expensive pads.

[Palfrey]

I have a lovely, yet highly sensitive and powerful dressage horse that has been professionally fitted by a very reputable saddle fitter. However, despite the great saddle fit and ergonomic girth, I still have a bit of saddle creep forward especially when we’ve been schooling flying changes. I tried the success equestrian pad (too thick) and the acavallo massage non slip (ok…not her favorite) and the smartpak non slip (good) but, I’m interested in trying the grandeur or shires non slip dressage pad. I would love input or recommendations before I start increasing my mare’s wardrobe. Thank you in advance for any words of wisdom.

[Horseman15]

I use a Nun Finer pad under my regular. It’s solved the rub issues I had at the very back of the saddle. I’m really happy with it

[Horseman15]

I use a Nunn Finer pad under my regular pad. I love it. It’s solved the rub issues I had at the very back of the saddle. It’s also helped to keep the saddle from slipping back (despite my 3 point breastplate) when jump 3’ or higher.

[RedHorses]

My 1/4 Arab with a short back and forward girth groove and hysteria about his saddle sliding forward (okay, so it’s not his fault - pinched nerves hurt!)has, among the small army of anti saddle slip measures, a Nunn Finer non-slip pad slice in half lengthwise and sewn to the bottom of the regular cotton blend pad that I like. It works very well and I don’t have to worry about it moving out of alignment during the saddling process.

He also has a Total Saddle Fit StretchTec girth with neoprene liner, and a crupper, and… (Yes, there’s more!! ) I really like the StretchTec for him, and the crupper has become the safety backup and not the primary anti slip measure.

The Nunn Finer pad has hundreds of tiny holes to let the heat out and it works quite well as seen in colder weather when I pull off the saddle and find a dry area under the non slip and wet patches where it was just the cotton blend pad between saddle and horse. The sweat steamed out through the holes in the non slip pad before condensing.

[Magicboy]

I also use the nunn finer non slip pad --it’s really excellent I got it from Bit of Britain

[2tempe]

Have a mare who has been a challenge w/ slipping saddles…Complete change of saddle and a better fitter fixed most of the problem. Barnsby pads worked great because they have non slip stuff on BOTH sides of the pad. I preferred to Eco gold personally. Then I tried the Grandeur, based on recommendation of someone in my barn. Very different pad, but I also found it worked very well. They are both hard to find (google is your friend…).