Who uses gel pads for English/Hunter

[HorseLvr76]

I am looking into purchasing a gel pad to use for my horse, as I am beginning to train for Hunter/Jumper. Who has used these, do you like them, what is the best brand, and where to find them for a good price. I have checked Ebay, and have found a couple like this one that is a decent price...

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...m=170256384289

[Carri]

I haven't used a gel pad, I use Thinline pads and love them, and so do the horses.

[KatieMae]

While taking dressage lessons on a 16.1h Hannoverian cross, I used a gel pad over a regular dressage size pad, and under a Wintec Pro dressage saddle. I'll be honest, I didn't even know it was there. The only reason it was used on this particular horse was because of her large (and sensitive) withers... I'm sure it probably made a difference if I had ridden her without it, and then rode with it.. But without riding without it, I never saw, or felt, a difference...

I know that was no help at all... lol Just my experience

[GreyDot]

I did try a gel pad, when we were trying to eliminate lameness issues, but found that it generated a LOT of heat on the horse's back. Sold that one, tried another brand, and found the same thing. I tried them between the saddle pad and the saddle, but they were ridiculously hot. My question to you would be WHY you want one of these in the first place? If the saddle fits properly, and if you're sitting lightly and quietly, you really shouldn't need one... If you're looking for good, light, airy cushining, try the AirRider pad, by Grooma - you put it directly on the horse, and it works great!

[HorseLvr76]

My H/J trainer recommends using these on all horses...she said it helps distribute the weight of the rider...? My guy is a 3 yr old WB cross, so I just want to make sure I am equipping him with all that I can to make his riding enjoyable

[GreyDot]

I see that very often... honestly, though, a saddle's job is to do just that - evenly distribute the weight. If I were you, especially owning a young horse, I'd pay the $40 and have a professional saddle fitter evaluate your horse, first - and have your trainer there, too, so that she can hear what the fitter has to say. Not that I'm trying to disagree with your trainer - I'm sure she has her reasons for suggesting this - but a well-fitting saddle truly will work better than all the pads in the world. Besides, you'll likely be changing or adjusting your saddle as the horse grows - and it's important to let the muscles and skeleton (especially on a WB, which grows fairly slowly) develop properly, under a properly-fitting saddle.

Really, unless you're THUMPING on a horse's back, exactly what shock is the pad supposed to be absorbing? And if there are no pressure points in the saddle, and if you're sitting evenly, then what is it that needs to be distributed? If the saddle is a little hard in the panels, you can use something like a ThinLine or an AirRider - but they don't get hot, and don't compromise saddle fit. If your seat is unsteady, and you tend to 'thump' while riding a big extension (which shouldn't be done on a three-year-old, anyway), you can always put a 'grab strap' on the saddle, to steady your seat and pull yourself into the saddle, so that you can move with the horse. If you land hard while posting, that is also fixable. Seriously, unless one saddle is used for multiple horses, none of whom it fits particularly perfectly, or unless the horse is just such an odd fit that no off-the-rack saddle fits him properly, there is really no need to use a pad. Anyway, JMHO, and just some thoughts to consider...

[csimmons]

I think you should forget about the gel pad. I agree, saddle fit is more important. I've tried them, and they do heat up a horse back up. I use a thin pad and a natural fleece half pad on top of it.

[EquineAlberta]

I have a gel pad that came from Europe. I love it! It has a special bendy foam thing at the front that allows you to shape it up off the horse's wither. I ride in a colder climate so maybe that is why I have not had a problem with the pad generating heat, or it could be that the bendy thing helps with air flw. I don't use it often, but I do use it:
1) When training horses to help the saddle fit (I can't custom fit a saddle to each horse I train).
2) For my gelding who needs a bit of a pad to slightly lift the pannels of my dressage saddle from his shoulders (until I can custom order a saddle for him that has special pannels). He just seems to go better with this gel pad.

In general though, I agree with GreyDot...saddle fit should be enough, and gel pads aren't good in a hot climate. For most of the horses I ride, I just use a regular pad.

Karen

[HorseLvr76]

Thanks guys for the suggestions! I am more of an experienced rider, and do not thump on his back while trotting, but just thought that the gel pad would be the thing to do. I guess when actaully thinking about what GreyDot mentioned...it does make sense! THANKS!!!!

[XtendedTrot]

I use one-just bought it and love it...great for high withered horses. I spent about 60.00 on it. It's pretty thin and reminds me of the Dr. Schols you put in your shoes. I think they are fairly inexpensive and keep the saddle from sliding around. I put it between the saddle pad and saddle.

[redboy]

Just my 2 cents worth, but I remember reading somewhere that the best type pads are the ones with the air pockets vs gel, or foam, etc.
Having read GreyDot's advice, it makes sense to me, as well. I'm sure the gel pads do get hot, as was the downside to foam pads also Redboy

[dustyangel24]

I use a gel pad...but only on my HIGH withered TB. They do radiate the heat...