I’m in the process of finding a saddle that fits my sensitive OTTB mare, but unfortunately my budget is small. This means absolutely no custom-made saddle for this girl! I’ve heard great things about the Ogilvy Memory Foam pads, and I’m wondering if it’s worth the $200+ for one to sit under my somewhat budget and maybe not perfectly fitting used saddle??
People have a lot of strong opinions on them - I personally like mine a lot, and my current horse, the one time my trainer rode him without it because she
left the cover in the wash, was very displeased.
what I came here to say is if you are on a budget, you can get a used one for usually $100-150… the less picky about colors, the easier it will be for you. Facebook and eBay are great sources
I like mine a lot, I swear it helps my back. I agree that you can find them used, look on FB sites like English Tack Trader. You do and “ISO” saying what you want and a budget too and see what people are willing to sell.
Good product for impact absorption, but not a miracle for correcting fit. While they can alleviate some fit issues (filling in under a too-wide tree for a saddle that fits well otherwise is the best use, IMO… closely followed by filling in deep hollows behind a prominent scapula), they will not make up for a saddle that just doesn’t suit the back. And in general, you don’t want to put a fat pad under a tree that’s already too tight.
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I am having saddle fit issues with my new mare-- deep hollows behind the scapula like above–and are we waiting for her top line to improve as well. My fitter recommended an Olgilvy or similar pad. I borrowed one and oh…what a happy little mare I had! I just bought one and rode last night…still a happy little redheaded girly! Worth the $$ for that alone.
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They’re totally worth it! My own back feels better and I can tell my horse is happier with it. I prefer to use the ogilvy baby and profile pads with it because they are more ergonomic with my horses withers and don’t slip like other pads.
It depends on why you need it, I’ve found them to be very useful on some older horses whose backs are a little harder to fit. But on my younger horse that my saddle fits well, I just need a Thinline to help with shock absorption and the Ogilvy would be way too thick.
thank you, everyone! i’m keeping my eye out on the FB group and am going to give one a try! fingers crossed!
I think it makes a huge difference for both of my horses especially my very cold-backed gelding. I just got one for my mother (~60 y/o) and her two aged geldings (20+ y/o) and she thinks it has helped all three backs 
There is a separate Ogilvy-lovers group on FB also, you can find used ones there too. It comes up if you do a search, I can’t remember the exact name.
This!
I had my saddles checked by a fitter this summer since it had been awhile. The younger one is fairly easy to fit so I was using a thinline under my Antares, fitter gave me a thumbs up for this.
The older guy who has always had prominent withers, hollows behind the scapula, and is built uphill has always been hard to fit. He used to be able to wear the Childeric with a thinline + shims but he didn’t seem happy so last winter we put the Ogilvy on him instead. Another thumbs up from the fitter. She said short of getting him a custom this was the best solution.
I agree that it’s nice for the riders back too. I notice an immediate difference switching between the two horse/saddle combos.
I just ordered three so my mare, and my two lesson horses can have them! Apparently Greenhawk makes a very similar product that is less expensive. One of my clients bought the Greenhawk pad, and just puts an Ogilvy cover on it for the fancy colours.
I agree they don’t help change fit, but do help a horse that has some back atrophy.
I got the ECP correction half pad with memory foam for about $38 on sale. Retail it’s about $50. It has the same basic shape as the Olgilvy (but without custom color options). It has a quilted cover and velcro openings so you can make the whole pad 1" thick memory foam or you can use different thickness memory foam shims (included) in the shoulder area or back half of the pad. Much more functional and customizable than the Olgilvy - and also a WHOLE lot cheaper!
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My vet is a DVM, chiropracter, and accupunturist. Very experienced and I turn to him for saddle fit issues. He is not a fan of Ogilvey pads. I was surprised at his strong reaction given his very low key bedside manor.
I only use Ogilvy products. I ride with a gummy half pad over a baby pad. That is the combination that my mare prefers. I haven’t noticed much of a difference on myself when riding. That being said my mare is fussy without the half pad regardless of how good her saddle fits. I have also tried a lot of the other options (sheepskin, thinline, saddle pad only, etc) and by far her favourite is the Ogilvy combination.
I wasn’t a fan of the pad I tried. Much prefer my mattes pad if I need a halfpad.
It definitely will not fix saddle fit issues, but may help some. However, if you are on a tight budget, don’t go with Ogilvy. They are too expensive when there are off-brands out there that do the same thing.
I got two off-brand saddle pads from “Sweet Alyssa Equine” off of Etsy. Sometimes, you can find her pads used on eBay for 25% off or so. I have both Ogilvy as well as her two pads and, honestly, hers wash up better and feel exactly the same (except better color selection and better prices).
Lettia also makes memory foam pads, from what I’ve seen.
If you can, though, you may would rather save the $200 and put it towards a saddle that truly does fit, though. We leased a horse of mine for a year and the person who leased him did not have a well-fitting saddle at all. Her trainer (also my trainer) stuffed 2-3 saddle pads under the saddle (really bad decision, in my view) to make it fit better, but it actually made it worse. It has been a few months since the lease ended and he is still getting over his back pain despite being in his custom-fitting saddle again.
Good luck with your pony! :lol:
Wilkers also makes a memory foam pad for $130. They ship quickly and are customizable.
For the gummy pads, I’ve heard they are supposed to be better for the custom saddle. Is this true? I’ve never wanted to try it because my mare can be finicky, but they are so pretty!
Greenhawk currently has their “home brand” memory foam pad on sale $99.99 If you are located in US, the exchange on $ will make the price very attractive. This is a quality product, and has stood up well for about 4 years now. I take it apart, toss in washer, and it comes out looking new. Color cover options are also available.
