anyone used a port lewis impression pad? Hard to get a fitter out, want to see if previous saddles fit current horse, or if I need to have them adjusted or replaced.
Is the interpretation difficult, or fairly intuitive?
Planning to buy one myself so interested in hearing people’s responses.
I’ve got a friend who swears by hers, and has used it a LOT over the last year as she tries to find the absolute best fit for her challengingly-shaped sport pony. Fitters tend to have varying opinions of it but it seems to be a pretty effective way to see what’s going on between saddle and back.
The customer service has also been very good - she used it enough in the last year to literally wear it out, and the company is replacing it no questions asked.
Edited to say it seems dead simple to use! Very obvious visual feedback.
I have one. It worked great until it didn’t.
Over time, the “gel” inside the pad dried out and wouldn’t take an impression. Port Lewis wasn’t very helpful. But since it is a simple and very helpful tool to determine saddle fit, I have thought of coughing up the $$$ to get another one.
I have one and have used it (and loaned it out) quite a bit. Determining if there are any pressure points is easy, but figuring out exactly how to fix or improve those pressure points requires a bit of trial and error - like I might add a shim and see if that makes it better or worse, and go from there.
I have found it invaluable when trying new saddles, as well as deciding if saddles I have might fit a new horse.
I asked a saddle fitter whether she ever used the pad or anything like it and she said “no, that would put me out of business”. Which I don’t really agree with - I think it would be a useful addition to the toolbox - but that’s what she said 
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I had one. And yes, the material will dry out, eventually. Bit I believe that took a few years. For the price, it provides very good information, and it lasts a good long time, though not indefinitely.
Port Lewis Impression Pad — EQ Saddle Science
They have a rental service if you want to try it without buying.
I had one that lasted many years without drying out - it was the seams that broke and the insides started squeezing out. Such a great tool - a friend bought one that I borrow now. They’re worth every penny.
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I have one! I find it really useful for telling how the saddle fits in the areas it’s harder to see, like the middle of the panels. The only real con to it is it weighs like half a ton 
