gel pads

[Silvia]

Anyone use one of these gel pads you put under the saddle? What are your experiences?
Are they more comfy for the horse? Shock absorbing?
Do they still have advantages when you have a well fitting saddle?
I'm just curious because they have become a fashion around here and everybody is getting them for their horses. And they are quite expensive!

[Gracie]

A lot of people get them for their older horses for a more shock absorbing feature as you said. A lot of people used them at my barn and they seemed to be very pleased with their performance. Some people when they didn't use it their horse moved more stiffly!
Hope my opinion some what helps
~Kristan~

[JackiAH]

At my old barn, I used to ride this horse called Paco. Everyone rode Paco. He was used around 5 times a day for lessons. He was... a 15 year old, beautiful red roan QH.

At one point, I remember my trainer had to buy a gel pad for his back (wearing down with old age... :( ) It worked great! He kept up his lessons, and now he's the fittest 15 year old around!

Jacki

[fionahogg]

Well from what I've heard, the gel within the pad just disperses under pressure. I've never used one myself though, but I do have one of Heather's saddle pads. It's made from the same material as the seatbone saver and seems to work quite well.

[liz--y]

i ride my 14hh rescue pony in a gel pad, only because she had been backed when we got her in a very ill fitting saddle, an hated being tacked up, mounted even though the saddle we had fitted her. we put a gel pad under and its helped alot.they help alot with cold backed horses and take pressure off the pressure points