Finally.....I've done it

[Jessey]

I ordered a saddle for madam :D

I can't wait now, hopefully it will be here in a few weeks, then I will be posting pictures to see what you lot think of the fit, I am very hopeful :D

Does anyone have opinions on the Impact contour gel pads?
these ones - http://www.rods.com/p/5145,247_Impact-Gel-Contour-Work-Pad.html
A pretty penny but I want a really nice pad for my nice new saddle and to keep Jess as comfey as possible :D

J x

[Peanut]

How exciting to have a new saddle. If it's leather I hope it really pongs as the smell is one of the best bits :p

[Jessey]

Yep its leather, am SSssoooo excited :D

Here it is:
http://www.trinitytack.com/Saddle39.jpg
http://www.trinitytack.com/Saddle40.jpg

[palmerlover52]

oooh looks comfy!!!!!

[Shadowlark]

Impact Gel get MAJOR thumbs down.. They don't breathe.. the gel tends to settle where it isn't needed or wanted, a friend of mines actually "poped" seeping stuff everywhere - she got her money back fortunatly! Everyone I know who bought them - are back to using thier Air rides or whatever they had before hand.

Save your money and invest in something else :)

[Jessey]

Shadowlark - Thanks for that, I don't want to blow $169 on something that crap, I was also tempted by the Air ride so might go for that instead.

J x

[Shadowlark]

Most riders around me use the Air rides and swear by them!

Myself I use the Old Mac pad with a real wool navahoe over it - I like the way it breathes thru. it is a bit more fidely tho, and keeping it from shifting can sometimes be a pain. But I put a lot of miles on my horses in a day so cooling/breathability are major considerations for me.

[Jessey]

I had looked at the old mac as well.
Basially I am putting alot into this filly, professional training, good saddle so I wanted the best pad too.
All I know is I definatly want a contoured/shaped pad, I have an old fasioned felt pad and it rubs her mane out at the wither which I don't need when we get into the show ring.
I want something that breathes pretty well when we start competing she will have to have that on all day sometimes, I am also hoping I might be able to do a little endurance with her.
I need it to protect her back as much as possible so shock absorbsion is very important too.
I also want something reasonably easy to care for.
Any further thoughts appriciated

J x

[Shadowlark]

Well.. My next pad will be a Supracore. They are dear.. but if you were looking at the impact..
http://www.supracor.com/equestrian/

Go have a read.. Everyone I have spoken to who has them swears by them (Endurance is my main interest hence the need for breathability etc) I have yet to actually lay hands on one myself, (to be honest!) but everything I read about them/look into speak to about them impresses me.

[Jessey]

Hmm, now that sounds cool :D well impressed by the thought it is used for ballastic clothing etc it must really absorb some impact.
It isn't cheap, but what the hell is the point in spending a fortune getting a horse and keeping it if your just going to put crap on its back....right ;)
I have become an expert at paying the bill and worring about it later :D my OH could vouch for that :p
I will definatly read a bit more into that, and luckily I have friends in california who could pick one up and mail it to me :D
Thanks for all your help, I will be passing that on to a friend of mine who will be at the World Equestrian Games later this month with her endurance horse, I bet she will be interested in it too.

J x