Pad confusion....thin line or ECP correction pad....memory foam or gel

[Cloverbug]

Confusion has set in. The massage therapist was out last week to work on my gelding. He was not having any issues. She’s a friend and we exchange different things for my horse to get massages - blanket wash & repair or this time was me clipping her horse for her. She suggested a thin line pad for him. He just seemed a little tender on his back nothing like he was a year ago when we were going through saddle fit issues. My horse is a propane tank on legs and after 2 saddle fitters we have a saddle that works (a U tree). But want to make him as comfortable as possible. I’ve done some reading on the thin line pads and also on the ecp correction pads. Not sure which is the best. Opinions please…I have tried the nice sheepskin pads from ECP and they don’t work for him (I love them and used them on my previous horse all the time). He tends to prefer a thinner pad to a thick bulky pad. He’s very sensitive.

Thanks in advance!!

[Arabiandressage]

http://www.theconnectedrider.com/horse-tack/saddle-pads/thinline-contender-ii-dressage-pad-back-on-track/

Ok in full disclosure I run the tack store above. That said I have also been an english rider over 30 years now and I have tried just about every pad they have given I have six of my personal horses and a tack store. This one is the holy grail so to speak of pads. This is a Thinline pad infused with back on track ceramic. Some horses don’t do well with the bulky sheepskin type pads because they can actually take up so much channel room they make the saddle snugger. I personally ride in a Thinline, love them. Years ago I actually tested what is now known as Thinline, a rep brought over the pad material (back then it wasn’t even attached to a pad yet it was just the Thinline material). Anyway she laid it out on our tile floor. Took a golf ball put her hand all the way up above her head and dropped it, that ball just stuck to the pad. I was sold. Since then every horse I have used Thinline on has improved, became softer, lighter. I am a big fan of Thinline so this is why they are one of the pads I carry. Let me know if I can be of any help.

[Denzel]

[QUOTE=Arabiandressage;8396102]
http://www.theconnectedrider.com/horse-tack/saddle-pads/thinline-contender-ii-dressage-pad-back-on-track/

Ok in full disclosure I run the tack store above. That said I have also been an english rider over 30 years now and I have tried just about every pad they have given I have six of my personal horses and a tack store. This one is the holy grail so to speak of pads. This is a Thinline pad infused with back on track ceramic. Some horses don’t do well with the bulky sheepskin type pads because they can actually take up so much channel room they make the saddle snugger. I personally ride in a Thinline, love them. Years ago I actually tested what is now known as Thinline, a rep brought over the pad material (back then it wasn’t even attached to a pad yet it was just the Thinline material). Anyway she laid it out on our tile floor. Took a golf ball put her hand all the way up above her head and dropped it, that ball just stuck to the pad. I was sold. Since then every horse I have used Thinline on has improved, became softer, lighter. I am a big fan of Thinline so this is why they are one of the pads I carry. Let me know if I can be of any help.[/QUOTE]

This is the setup I use, except in separate pieces. I use a Back on Track pad for my big guy who gets a bit “cold backed” in the winter (doesn’t misbehave, just gets really crabby being saddled and blanketed if the items and his back aren’t “pre-warmed”) with a thinline trifecta pad (cotton with thinline on top and fleece trim). By far my fave set up for this particular horse with my saddle. I do have an Ogilvy pad that I like, it just doesn’t work for this particular saddle/horse combo.

[candico]

If your horse truly is shaped like a propane tank, especially with little to no withers, I do find a well-fitting hoop tree saddle plus thinner padding or a BOT pad at most is best. Just because it was a bit chilly today, I tried my BOT/Thinline combo pad on the Haflinger and didn’t really like it for her, where I do like it for my Hanoverian mare with a similar shape, but a tad less “jelly” across the top, if that makes sense… For the Haffie, I had to tighten the girth too much to keep from feeling like we were rolling from side to side and she was missing the subtle cues with my seat that she normally responds to. I found the same thing with my Thoroughbred, the missed cues… It can dull bad bouncing, but it also dulls subtle seat aids that influence tempo, transitions, balance, etc.

But in the end, I’d say every horse/rider/saddle combo is a bit different and it will be trial and error to see what works best. I would stay minimal with that type of build, but try and borrow before you buy. Definitely no gel or probably memory foam with a barrel type… I find that if your saddle fits well, more stretchy work that strengthens the topline is all you need to avoid back soreness. If it comes on more in winter, I do like BOT pads.

[Cloverbug]

My horse is truly shaped like a propane tank on legs. He’s a QH. We are using a Duett Saddle with a 34cm tree I know some people do not like them but after months and months of searching and trying saddles it worked for us. It was the best we found that fit him. I prefer or should I say he prefers a thin pad to a thick pad. He’s very sensitive. I used pillow pads with my previous horse and I cannot use them with him I had to purchase different pads. The thinner the better. I do get away with a wilker pad for showing. I also have to usually use a non slip pad to help keep everything in place. He does not approve of an overly tight girth.

I don’t know much about the BOT pads, what are the differences between them and Thinline?

[jaybird660]

Thinline makes a simple contour pad that has no extra thickness except the Thinline material. If you horse is truly propanish, then I would go with that type as it will not add bulk but will add the Thinline benefits, in addition to, offering a no slip benefit.

[candico]

BoT stands for Back on Track. They have special ceramic fibers that reflect heat and promote circulation. I don’t think it’s as miraculous as their website seems to think, but definitely seems to help warm them up faster in winter. I use the sheet overnight. The pad is more substantial than traditional ones, but less than a sheepskin or Thinline.

The Duett could just use a good reflocking.

[LibertyRun]

I also own a propane tank with legs. I have a custom Albion with a U tree. I use the BOT with the thinline attached when he is a little thinner. When he is at his ful blown summer weight just a regular BOT. He likes these much better than a regular pad.

[fordtraktor]

Also look at the Acavallo gel pads. They are lightweight, thin and super nice. I really love mine and use it a lot more than my Thinline. If you get it without the sheepskin rolls it is inexpensive as well.