PS…Thinline sheepskin is a) a funky length, and b) it had a pile of complaints about falling apart…
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Ah gotcha about the thinline. I didn’t like the way the fleece felt so that’s why I didn’t get one myself, glad I didn’t!
The mattes did initially make me feel a little perched on top, but I really don’t notice it anymore. Unfortunately probably have to sacrifice some of the close feel for the squish. I wonder if you can borrow one to try?
Sadly, no. Will have to have the saddle fit to it. Today I rode the pony in a pad and a 1/2” high density piece of memory foam a saddle fitter gave me, and he was sooooooo soft and round!
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i’m having a good experience with this one:
https://www.lemieuxproducts.com/saddle-pad/corrective-pads/wither-relief-memory-half-pads/wither-relief-memory-foam-half-pad-grey?cPath=3289_3302&
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I used a ride with a GP (gold medal and everything) trainer who used a gel pad (I think the Acavallo type) against the back, then the saddle pad, then a shock absorber pad, then the saddle. When I first saw it I thought it was overkill, but since all those pads are pretty slim, it ends up being about the same as one of the thicker memory foam pads.
The other option I could think of it getting a thinline (or other shock absorber) seat saver and give your pony the squish he is kindly requesting.
Tried the seat saver…didn’t work w the saddle. I have a couple on order to try. One is gel, one is shock absorbing foam in spacer mesh….it actually sounds the most promising,it is supposed to conform to the horses back and bed the saddle some.
I’m a huge fan of a coopers ridge half pad. Similar to thinline but better imho.
I recently acquired one of these second hand: https://shop.wilkers.com/hunter-jumper-half-pad/. (They have other types, too.) My pony mare has never moved as freely and happily as she does now. We’ve used Thinline until now, but it didn’t make the difference that this pad has. My DD and I both used this pad, with two different saddles (a dressage and an AP), and the result was the same.
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I 10/10 recommend the Invictus half pads. They are thin enough to not really affect saddle fit and are super shock absorbers. I can definitely see the difference with my own back pain and my horse’s comfort when I use this pad. Thinline was not it for her, and everything else is too thick for my tastes.
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Interesting. I currently use a Thinline (just a trifecta with no shims or sheepskin) and bought an Invictus a few weeks ago but haven’t tried it yet. I need to bring it to the barn and give it a go. I got a good deal on it and I’m mostly interested in these pads due to my SI arthritis and other spine issues. Generally while riding, these things don’t bother me, but afterward they do sometimes. Horse doesn’t really express a strong preference either way.
I don’t know whether it would have enough squish factor or not but I’m a fan of the VIP Equestrian Pad. I’ve also heard lots of good things about Thinline (which seems to be an opinion shared by a number of people in this thread).
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So far the VIP is getting the most votes from the pony…!
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The only issue I had with the VIP was that my horse has a tall withers/topline that slopes upward and the spine of the VIP is very straight and not contoured like many other half pads. If they came out with a model with a contoured topline/spine and longer drop, I’d be all about that. They talked about while back but I don’t believe anything ever came to fruition.
Forgot to bring the Invictus yesterday, hopefully I remember today so I can finally try it. It’s also a bit small-ish in the drop. So a saddle with wide panels may just barely fit. I made a measurement comparison between it and the prolite before. Could find those pics if anyone is interested.
Yeah…that would be a problem. I’m reasonably sure the saddle fitter is gonna have a cow as it is. I have an Icey, and while he has good withers “for an Icey”, well, you know…
It still wrinkles a bit on him, even, but smooshes out.
You might want to check out Equifits Impacteq pad. It’s something like shock absorption encased in air mesh or something. Quite contoured top line at the wither, and I think a longer drop than the invictus. But not enough squish for the pony.
Going to resell the Invictus. It’s just too small for my saddles panels. Sticking with the Thinline for now.
Interesting re the Equifit.
I think next on my list would be the Winderen and Matric T3 pads. Both good pads with some proven science behind the materials. I’m fine with the Thinline, I just happened to get the Invictus for a good price and said why not.
I just want to say how much I appreciate you sharing your experience with the different pads! It’s so interesting to me how much horse preference really plays into this type of thing. I was wondering – would share what made you choose the VIP vs something similar like the Acavallo massage pad or one of their combo pads?
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Couple things…one, thin.
Two, COMPLETELY not sticky. Am going to try it directly on his back one day he’s dry, but meantime it doesn’t pick up gunk.
Three…to me it feels different compared to the Acavallo’s I’ve felt. Squishier and more like it would absorb shear between the horse and saddle. Which would help stabilize the saddle w/o stick. Altho mine still has a bit of side to side, but it needs to be refit anyway.
Four…there is a video of the person who made them putting something like m&m’s in the middle of the pad and driving over it w her car…and one driving over her phone! https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=qVAeL6K0z7I
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My back loves the stuff in the matrix! But the pad I have really ticks the pony off for some reason!
I saw a vid of somebody squishing the Winderen panel, it looked pretty squishy! But they recommended the fatter pad for a horse that wanted extra comfort, and making sure a pad was here at the same time the saddle fitter was was kind of iffy.
FWIW, since I haven’t returned it yet, the front width on the impacteq is 11” about where the front of the saddle would fit and the back is about 8”. There is a 1 1/4 ish spinalish channel thing I didn’t include. If your rear panels are wider than 7 or so, they might sit on the trim. Which seems flat, but 🤷🏼.
I really like the Bliss Adjusta half pads, it has the same Poron inserts as the Matrix T3 but it is very adjustable with two full sets of inserts for the front, middle, and back. It’s also much cheaper at 55 pounds and it arrived very quickly. https://www.bliss-of-london.com/product/adjusta-pad/
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