Does anyone use the Roma dressage pads? I’ve never seen one in person and am wondering if they are nice or kinda cheap? I don’t use a half pad, my saddle fits well. I like the patterns and colors of the pads looking at them online.
I use exclusively the Roma Ecole pads - they have some sort of wicking lining on the underside, which really does work. They are a bit slippery on my horse in the spring and fall but it’s usually fixed with a non-slip or thinline pad between the saddle and the pad. And they are the least slippery of the affordable options I’ve tried (like PRI pads kept slipping out the back of the saddle).
They’ve lasted me very well - several years each and I just cut off the billet strap when the velcro dies and I’ve had about 3 inches of the spine seam separate and repaired and they keep going.
I wash in warm or hot water and put them in the dryer without a problem.
Oh that’s great thanks! My current pads also have that wicking lining and it drives me crazy, they slip to the back of the saddle even though the saddle doesn’t move LOL.
I have a thinline anti slip pad too that I use for those.
I do think the Roma pads are 100% worth the money. I have two Roma Ecoles, they look very sharp and age well. The underside is a very soft cottony feel, it’s not like normal pads. It does collect hair pretty well, but it’s easy to brush off. I’ve actually never machine washed either, but I have soaked both in a bucket of soapy water when they get grungy, and they look like new still after 3ish years. I cut the velcro straps off right away but leave the billets on, and have no slippage issues.
I have three Roma Softie Reversible pads that I actually bought in high school that are still going strong. Two have been delegated to dog beds (they make great dog beds too!) just because I never brought them down to the horses after washing, and ten+ years later, they’re still on the floor… Back then the design was a little different, it wasn’t as “ergonomic” and was more square, but the material has stayed the same – I purchased the purple version last year and it’s the same quality and feel. I have never had them slip on me, and I really like them in the winter since they offer a little more warmth and surface area than regular pads. Makes me feel less guilty about pulling their blankets off and hopping on them in sub 30F weather. I do not use the pad often in the summer though as it is not as breathable.
I really like the new color patterns available by Roma. I’ve been eyeballing this one in BLACK/GREY/WHITE (it’s in my cross country colors!) but my saddle pad collection outnumbers my horse by at least ten to one, so…
Oh Beowulf I share your love for pads and I’m glad to hear you guys like the Roma’s. I’m going to order these two next month:
http://www.bahrsaddlery.com/roma-ecole-basket-weave-dressage-pad.html
http://www.bahrsaddlery.com/roma-ecole-flower-diamond-dressage-pad.html
I bought a dozen basic Roma pads from TOTD well over a decade ago, and I’m still using the first ones I opened. They just don’t seem to wear out! And I don’t baby them. They get washed in the machine, and dried in the dryer. I still have several I haven’t opened from that first purchase, because I haven’t needed them. I just keep using the same ones over and over, and I have 3 horses I ride.
I bought black pads and white pads. The black ones for schooling at home, the white ones for show. I think I did give some of the white ones to my vet as cage pads, only because my saddle left black marks I couldn’t get out, and I didn’t want to use them for shows anymore, and because I have the black ones for schooling at home, I didn’t need to keep the stained white ones.
Yippy! I only wish they came in fun colors for schooling.
Only pads I have…5 schooling in the horse’s best color (teal) and two in black for show…pads are 4 yrs old now and still in fantastic shape.
They are pretty pricey in Canada. I assume you are in Canada. When Greenhawk has a sale their nicers pads are very similar for a better price. I am Canadian but I would order from the US. Prices were always better. I bought a lot from Horseloverz when they have sales.
i love roma pads, and the roma brand in general.
i use the ecole pads for both schooling and shows.
I have a roma sheepskin half pad which is about 1/2 as thick as my mattes…i use it when my horse’s topline is a bit “off” but not quite enough for the mattes pad.
great quality.
I have three of the softee wither relief pads and love them - but i am using a sedelogic half pad with them now and they slip horribly. I wish they came with the billet straps and velcro. Seamstress quoted me $60 to add the straps! Not sure if i do it by hand if they will hold.
I think they’re good quality for the pricepoint. (Whereas I hate Tuffrider pads, I’ve tried several and they never lie smooth.) I have one Roma that after several years now the seam along the spine is coming undone, but I feel I’ve gotten my money’s worth out of it.
