Professional's Choice Air Ride Ortho pad

Shotgun · 09-25-2007, 03:09 PM

I'm wondering if anyone has owned, does own, used, etc, one the Professiosnal's Choice AirRide Orthopedic pads?
How did you like them? Or not?
I'm considering buying one. I went down to my local tack store and they have the regular Air Ride pad but not the Orthopedic one. I wasn't as impressed by that pad as I thought I would be. I need the cut away part of the pad as well as the extra bit behind the withers. I have a very difficult to fit mare and we are having saddle-fit problems. It has been recommened to me by my vet that I get a good saddle pad first then if that doesn't work try a new saddle.
I'm also looking at a gell filled underpad. It only goes under the bars and doesn't have any extra padding under the withers but I could use my wither lift pad with it.
This Ortho pad by Professional's Choice is my first choice, the gel pad my second.
Any thoughts?

**beth55051** · 09-25-2007, 03:59 PM

I have a plain Air Ride without the ortho inserts but it does have the cutback. I've had it forever it seems and it's been used pretty regularely either on Reno the tank or as a second pad on Sam with his withers. I really like the idea of the inserts just make sure they get lined up properly with her shoulders. I just wish they made them with something other than fleece for a bottom. They do make a funny noise but not once you put them on the horse. I've thrown mine in the washing machine many times to wash it and the only real wear/damage to it so far is when I forgot it at an arena and there stud got ahold of it and bit a couple of holes in the top.

I have not heard very many good things about gel pads and I see way too many "barely used" ones being sold on ebay but rarely if ever do I see an Air Ride unless it's beat to death. I also have a friend who had one of the new fangled gel pads badly burn/rub the back of one of his high dollar cutting horses after just one ride.

My diehard favorite pad is a contoured wool felt pad. With the contoured part they don't roll and the real wool felt is easy on their back.

gingerfleguel · 09-25-2007, 04:02 PM

I absolutely love mine...they are pricey but definately worth it

Luvpaints · 09-25-2007, 04:36 PM

I PMd you. I hate mine. I threw it out, didn't even want other horses to use it. The underside is very thick fur hence making the horse overall hot and his back very hot and dripping sweat. Plus the nylon lining by the leather wears on the side rubbed my gelding raw from all the sweat and the lining rubbing him.

Shotgun · 09-25-2007, 04:49 PM

Do they really do what they say they do? As far as the concussion and pressure relief, and that they do not compress?

Is it difficult to get the inserts (actually I think they say that it is just extra padding or something like that) placed properly?

I had considered a wool pad that had a 10" cutaway as well. But I still need the wither lift pad to get that extra padding and the front of the saddle up a bit. April is slightly downhill. Would this be even better in the long run?
If I can not find a good pad that works I'm ordering a new, nearly custom made saddle. Not as price-y as I thought. But I still would have to save up for it. I may anyway even if I do get a good pad since my saddle is getting older.

**beth55051** · 09-25-2007, 04:55 PM

I originally bought ours to use on Reno who is very round and we always had a problem with the pads being to thick on him. I've also used it alot on my old barrel gelding and now on Sam who has a weak back.

They do compress but still provide cushioning. I did notice on Reno that it helped with his dry spots and pressure points, better than just a wool navajo.

I wouldn't think it would be hard to get them where they belong, just kind of like making sure the saddle is in the right spot. Me I always put mine on an inch or two forward and rock it back till it settles into place.

Shotgun · 09-25-2007, 05:01 PM

Luvpaints - your PM isn't coming through. I'd like to hear more about why you didn't like this pad. I was actually happy to see the fleece underside, I thought it only had felt or something...

Beth- April has changed so much physically. She used to be nearly mutton withered, now she has sharp high withers. Part is the growth spurt and part is weight loss. Saddles are usually too wide for her causing the bars by the withers to dig in even if there is clearance under the fork. I've tried 10 saddles and it's the same thing everytime.

**beth55051** · 09-25-2007, 05:13 PM

If the saddles are too wide then the Air Ride alone might not be enough for her. My mare has fairly high withers as well but I ride her in a 1" thick wool felt contour pad when I use my Full QH Roper on her. When I use the semiQH barrel saddle I can get away with just the Air Ride or a 1/2" felt pad.

I wish you were closer or I'd let you borrow one for a few days.

Sam my big gelding would normally wear a semiQH but because his withers are so awefully high I have to double pad him to get a high gullet saddle up off of them so he wears the Air Ride plus the wool felt under my fullQH Roper.

But I would guess that your mare is more similar to mine.

Here's a link of my saddle on her:
Saddle Fitting - Western Roping Saddle

Shotgun · 09-25-2007, 09:55 PM

Beth- I like the way that 1" pad looks; nice and thick! Maybe I'll check one of those out instead of the Air Ride. I would think that a wool pad would definilty be cooler than the Air Ride. I was suprised that it felt like styrofoam was in it...I guess I didn't think that that was what was in it. That would be hot!

Here are two picture showing how she changed.
First is about a year ago, she was 4.

Second is this summer, she is now 5. And although I know it looks like she has no tail, she does, she was just swishing it at the moment

I know you can't see her withers upclose but you can see the difference.
I sent a wither tracing into a saddle maker/seller and they suggested a 6 and 5/8" semiQH saddle and then use a built-up cutback pad. I am kind of scratching my head on that one. You'd think they could get closer than that! I don't like the way most built-up, cutbacks look or feel. I'd rather use something softer which is why I thought the Ortho Air Ride would be better.
I'm going to start another thread about Flex Tree saddles as well since I have questions about those too...

Anyhow, in your opinion, based on what you can see, would you go with the Air Ride or a 1" thick wool cutback (but not built-up) contoured pad?

**beth55051** · 09-25-2007, 10:08 PM

She looks pretty similar to my Kitty mare (the one in the saddle pics) but just not as wide through the barrel which is where she almost fits the fullQH bars.

I don't like the built up cutback pads (the ones with the double padding in front) they just seem to hike the front of the saddle up.

I'm still thinking the Air Ride wouldn't be thick enough but you can only tell so much by photos.

What I can say is a good thick wool felt (not synthetic) will be dense enough that it won't collapse down on her withers and they do provide a fair amount of cushioning. I love mine to death and have tried several other top of the line pads but nothing seems to work as well as the simple wool felt. Heck, them old timers can't be all wrong can they? Good ones arn't cheap but they do last. We've had ours for almost 7 years now. In that time they've compressed a little but still have tons of use in them. I hose them off when they get too grimy, scrape them with a sweat scraper and they're good to go.

What I would do is find the saddle that fits the closest find a pad that's about the right thickness and then go from there deciding what kind of new pad to buy her. I've also used blanket leg wraps laid across the horses hollow spot to fill it in, similar to the wither pad you stated but much more adjustable and they don't slip.

Slim Pikkens · 09-30-2007, 09:42 AM

From what I can see, I too would suggest semi qh bars. Saddles do come with deeper gullets to clear the withers. It could be that all the saddles you tried had the same tree angles. qh bars are slightly narrower at the top edge and have a flatter angle than semi.

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09-25-2007, 03:09 PM
Shotgun Weanling Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Springbrook, WI Posts: 279	Professional's Choice Air Ride Ortho pad I'm wondering if anyone has owned, does own, used, etc, one the Professiosnal's Choice AirRide Orthopedic pads? How did you like them? Or not? I'm considering buying one. I went down to my local tack store and they have the regular Air Ride pad but not the Orthopedic one. I wasn't as impressed by that pad as I thought I would be. I need the cut away part of the pad as well as the extra bit behind the withers. I have a very difficult to fit mare and we are having saddle-fit problems. It has been recommened to me by my vet that I get a good saddle pad first then if that doesn't work try a new saddle. I'm also looking at a gell filled underpad. It only goes under the bars and doesn't have any extra padding under the withers but I could use my wither lift pad with it. This Ortho pad by Professional's Choice is my first choice, the gel pad my second. Any thoughts? __________________ Tee Geez Twister - 5 yr old AQHA bay roan mare

09-25-2007, 03:59 PM
beth55051 Super Moderator Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: East Central Minnesota Posts: 4,738	I have a plain Air Ride without the ortho inserts but it does have the cutback. I've had it forever it seems and it's been used pretty regularely either on Reno the tank or as a second pad on Sam with his withers. I really like the idea of the inserts just make sure they get lined up properly with her shoulders. I just wish they made them with something other than fleece for a bottom. They do make a funny noise but not once you put them on the horse. I've thrown mine in the washing machine many times to wash it and the only real wear/damage to it so far is when I forgot it at an arena and there stud got ahold of it and bit a couple of holes in the top. I have not heard very many good things about gel pads and I see way too many "barely used" ones being sold on ebay but rarely if ever do I see an Air Ride unless it's beat to death. I also have a friend who had one of the new fangled gel pads badly burn/rub the back of one of his high dollar cutting horses after just one ride. My diehard favorite pad is a contoured wool felt pad. With the contoured part they don't roll and the real wool felt is easy on their back. __________________ Do not mind anything that anyone tells you about anyone else. Judge everyone and everything for yourself.

09-25-2007, 04:02 PM
gingerfleguel Kid Safe Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Ottawa Posts: 5,492	I absolutely love mine...they are pricey but definately worth it

09-25-2007, 04:36 PM
Luvpaints Yearling Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: SW Florida Posts: 590	I PMd you. I hate mine. I threw it out, didn't even want other horses to use it. The underside is very thick fur hence making the horse overall hot and his back very hot and dripping sweat. Plus the nylon lining by the leather wears on the side rubbed my gelding raw from all the sweat and the lining rubbing him.

09-25-2007, 04:49 PM
Shotgun Weanling Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Springbrook, WI Posts: 279	Do they really do what they say they do? As far as the concussion and pressure relief, and that they do not compress? Is it difficult to get the inserts (actually I think they say that it is just extra padding or something like that) placed properly? I had considered a wool pad that had a 10" cutaway as well. But I still need the wither lift pad to get that extra padding and the front of the saddle up a bit. April is slightly downhill. Would this be even better in the long run? If I can not find a good pad that works I'm ordering a new, nearly custom made saddle. Not as price-y as I thought. But I still would have to save up for it. I may anyway even if I do get a good pad since my saddle is getting older. __________________ Tee Geez Twister - 5 yr old AQHA bay roan mare Last edited by Shotgun : 09-25-2007 at 04:56 PM.

09-25-2007, 04:55 PM
beth55051 Super Moderator Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: East Central Minnesota Posts: 4,738	I originally bought ours to use on Reno who is very round and we always had a problem with the pads being to thick on him. I've also used it alot on my old barrel gelding and now on Sam who has a weak back. They do compress but still provide cushioning. I did notice on Reno that it helped with his dry spots and pressure points, better than just a wool navajo. I wouldn't think it would be hard to get them where they belong, just kind of like making sure the saddle is in the right spot. Me I always put mine on an inch or two forward and rock it back till it settles into place. __________________ Do not mind anything that anyone tells you about anyone else. Judge everyone and everything for yourself.

09-25-2007, 05:01 PM
Shotgun Weanling Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Springbrook, WI Posts: 279	Luvpaints - your PM isn't coming through. I'd like to hear more about why you didn't like this pad. I was actually happy to see the fleece underside, I thought it only had felt or something... Beth- April has changed so much physically. She used to be nearly mutton withered, now she has sharp high withers. Part is the growth spurt and part is weight loss. Saddles are usually too wide for her causing the bars by the withers to dig in even if there is clearance under the fork. I've tried 10 saddles and it's the same thing everytime. __________________ Tee Geez Twister - 5 yr old AQHA bay roan mare

09-25-2007, 05:13 PM
beth55051 Super Moderator Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: East Central Minnesota Posts: 4,738	If the saddles are too wide then the Air Ride alone might not be enough for her. My mare has fairly high withers as well but I ride her in a 1" thick wool felt contour pad when I use my Full QH Roper on her. When I use the semiQH barrel saddle I can get away with just the Air Ride or a 1/2" felt pad. I wish you were closer or I'd let you borrow one for a few days. Sam my big gelding would normally wear a semiQH but because his withers are so awefully high I have to double pad him to get a high gullet saddle up off of them so he wears the Air Ride plus the wool felt under my fullQH Roper. But I would guess that your mare is more similar to mine. Here's a link of my saddle on her: Saddle Fitting - Western Roping Saddle __________________ Do not mind anything that anyone tells you about anyone else. Judge everyone and everything for yourself.

09-25-2007, 09:55 PM
Shotgun Weanling Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Springbrook, WI Posts: 279	Beth- I like the way that 1" pad looks; nice and thick! Maybe I'll check one of those out instead of the Air Ride. I would think that a wool pad would definilty be cooler than the Air Ride. I was suprised that it felt like styrofoam was in it...I guess I didn't think that that was what was in it. That would be hot! Here are two picture showing how she changed. First is about a year ago, she was 4. Second is this summer, she is now 5. And although I know it looks like she has no tail, she does, she was just swishing it at the moment I know you can't see her withers upclose but you can see the difference. I sent a wither tracing into a saddle maker/seller and they suggested a 6 and 5/8" semiQH saddle and then use a built-up cutback pad. I am kind of scratching my head on that one. You'd think they could get closer than that! I don't like the way most built-up, cutbacks look or feel. I'd rather use something softer which is why I thought the Ortho Air Ride would be better. I'm going to start another thread about Flex Tree saddles as well since I have questions about those too... Anyhow, in your opinion, based on what you can see, would you go with the Air Ride or a 1" thick wool cutback (but not built-up) contoured pad? __________________ Tee Geez Twister - 5 yr old AQHA bay roan mare

09-25-2007, 10:08 PM
beth55051 Super Moderator Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: East Central Minnesota Posts: 4,738	She looks pretty similar to my Kitty mare (the one in the saddle pics) but just not as wide through the barrel which is where she almost fits the fullQH bars. I don't like the built up cutback pads (the ones with the double padding in front) they just seem to hike the front of the saddle up. I'm still thinking the Air Ride wouldn't be thick enough but you can only tell so much by photos. What I can say is a good thick wool felt (not synthetic) will be dense enough that it won't collapse down on her withers and they do provide a fair amount of cushioning. I love mine to death and have tried several other top of the line pads but nothing seems to work as well as the simple wool felt. Heck, them old timers can't be all wrong can they? Good ones arn't cheap but they do last. We've had ours for almost 7 years now. In that time they've compressed a little but still have tons of use in them. I hose them off when they get too grimy, scrape them with a sweat scraper and they're good to go. What I would do is find the saddle that fits the closest find a pad that's about the right thickness and then go from there deciding what kind of new pad to buy her. I've also used blanket leg wraps laid across the horses hollow spot to fill it in, similar to the wither pad you stated but much more adjustable and they don't slip. __________________ Do not mind anything that anyone tells you about anyone else. Judge everyone and everything for yourself.

09-30-2007, 09:42 AM
Slim Pikkens Started Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 2,950	From what I can see, I too would suggest semi qh bars. Saddles do come with deeper gullets to clear the withers. It could be that all the saddles you tried had the same tree angles. qh bars are slightly narrower at the top edge and have a flatter angle than semi.