I am considering one of these half pads. I have tried to research them but I cannot find anything that says what type of foam they are. Are they an open cell foam like the Thinline pads? Or are they a closed cell foam like a Cashel pad? Or, are they something totally different?
It is a close celled foam design to retains its shape and diffuse the forces. No idea what is in the cashel pads so can not compare. It has been pressure tested and proven material for use in saddle pads. I sell them and recommend them to a lot of my clients.
thanks! I need a pad to lift the back of my dressage saddle. Not sure if I should get the regular Prolite half pad where I can shim the back, or get the unshimmable, fixed riser half pad they sell…that would be seamless . I cannot find out what the depth/thickness is at the rear of the fixed riser pad they make.
I had a Prolite with the shimmable front. It was a great half pad for my purpose at the time.
I believe the entire pad was 1/2" thick and it came with 1/4" and 1/2" shims.
I actually do not know the measurements in the fixed riser. I recommend the adjustable ones. The pads themselves come in wide(thick) or thin. Farys must of had the wide (thick) version. The shims are 5 and 10 mms thick and your pad should come with both sets.
Get the shimmable ProLite. They last forever, and you’ll have infinite options for how much rise you need, which can be helpful when your horse loses or gains muscle.
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I agree, get the shimmable - I have one that you can shim front or back - it is SO useful. It is closer to a Thin-line like material - but I’ve tried Thinline, and it made the horse’s back feel “dead” - I hated it. This is much more close contact, much less of a thick barrier between you and the horse’s back - hard to describe, but there is a difference. AND it is less expensive. Mine also came with thin and thick shims for front and back, so you can stack away as you need. My saddle fitter loves them, and cuts her own shims for some of the clients too.
Thanks everyone! I just looked at the Prolite website…so what you guys are recommending is the Prolite Tri Pad? This is for an older Arab, a little swayback or dippy back, which slopes up to his croup. Every saddle sits low in back on him. I ride him in a Thornhill Vienna, wide tree, which I love and he goes well in…but it sits low behind without a riser. So, no issues with ridges caused by just adding risers to the back of the TriPad? With the TriPad I could add a thinner shim, or just one shim in the middle pocket…and then shim it mire in the back pocket… so it would be more seamless…oh, just realized there’s another Prolite pad where you can just shim the front or the back. That must be the one you have, MysticOakRanch?
Yes, get the tri pad. The Multi I use on the big withered horses like a TB. The tri pad is more versatile.
Shelton can I order from you? Price and return policy?
Yes, I have the one where you can do front or back. I have never needed to shim in the middle, so just went for the 4 pocket model. MOST of the time, I need to shim in front…
One final question…does the Prolite pad foam become hard in the cold weather?
Nope! Maybe minimally a tiny bit firmer when it’s very cold, but I haven’t had it make any effect on comfort.
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No. I’ve noticed no change. I only ride in Temps down to 25 F though.
Bump to ask a question.
I have the Prolite multi pad. Is the base material the thickness of a “thick” shim, or a “thin” shim in your half pads?
The pad has more bulk than I’d like, I think it’s made of the 1/2" material. I’d far prefer one made with the thinner foam - do they make that?
I believe the tri-pad is on the thin base.
Yes, there are two different ones to my knowledge. I opted for the one in a thin base and it isn’t at all bulky.
The multi pad has a standard base and the tri pad (what I have) is in a thin base.
Well crap.
Wish they would be a little more clear in their descriptions - I was wondering what everyone was talking about when they said the pad was “so thin” and mine felt pretty bulky. Guess I’ll list it, and get the other one. I really like the feel of the material, and while my saddle is custom and doesn’t need a half pad, I prefer to use one to keep sweat off my panels in the summer.
Thanks everyone!
The information is pretty direct on the actual Prolite website, I don’t know how other sellers are listing the items though.
The thin version didn’t interfere with the fit of my horse’s well fitting (to him) saddle. It really does provide a nice thin layer and the pad wears well. I don’t know how expensive they are North America, maybe sourcing one from here in the UK is better depending on shipping. I paid about 63 Pound/80ish US Dollars for my tri pad.
