Ogilvy Memory Foam Pads-- worth it??

[wronglead]

it feels like riding on a cloud. I will never ride without one. If it helps the horses back even a fraction of the amount it helps mine, it is worth it. I am the only one that makes it through a 3 hour hunter pace without getting an achy back-- and I am the only one that sports an ogilvy. I own more HP covers than I do horses-- I just use the same MF inserts and switch covers when I want a different color combo. I also have converted entirely to their baby pads. They don’t shift and are so soft on the inside for the horses back. Once I started riding in them, I have not rode in anything else since.

I agree with others about looking in FB groups. They go really fast, and even if you have to pay pretty much what they cost new, keep in mind you wont have to pay the outrageous shipping from Canada. I have been using their products for I would say 4-5 years, and all things are still in like new condition, but I do take good care of my things. From what I have heard, they seem to be pretty good about replacing broken or damaged items, though.

[greywithchrome]

Do not like ogilvys. Do not like the shedrow knockoff even more. Love my ecogold

[jen-s]

I will agree that it feels amazing to my back and my mare seemed to quite like it. However, it did cause sweat marks to change such that it looked like she wasn’t sweating evenly. I also had problems getting my girth tight enough to mount safely. Twice my saddle slipped significantly. My mare is super cold backed and I usually intentionally leave my girth a little loose at the beginning of the ride and then tighten one hole after the first 10-15 minutes. I had to leave it 2-3 holes loose which made mounting festive and I’ve now gone back to my ThinLine.

[touchstone]

Some people swear by these. But it’s a very bulky and ugly pad, IMO. If you’re going to use one, make sure the tree of your saddle is wide enough to accommodate all that foam.

[onefishtwofish]

They are quite trendy and the foam seems to squish down quite a bit -but do provide a nice pillow. I think you really just have to look how your saddle fits with it.
End of the day, if your horse goes well and feels happy with the pad, use it. If not, dont force it.
Le Mieux makes some great half pads as well. (with and without sheepskin)