Bareback pads

mystiquemalaika

mystiquemalaika

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Jan 7, 2013
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What does everyone use?I'm having a job getting the fit right with my sensation malaika has not been in work for a while as you all know and would like to ride bareback for a while until we get some muscle build up.I don't ride long hours and would also use a pad for extra spine clearance looking at the cashel and the Christ I would like something with a little more support than the standard bareback pads for my own confidence reasons and have read the cashel offer some support but the Christ ones seem to give the most.
I braved riding bareback twice last week and malaika was much happier I am starting to feel saddles are just a complete nuisance with malaika and on the verge of giving up completely! Treeless or treed all have their issues!
 
I use a bestfriend pad - the western, square one, but that probably won't help you as it's just about as close as you can get to riding bareback without me getting a white bottom!! :giggle: It doesn't really give much support although it is a bit grippy and there is a handle if you need it.
 
Thanks volcy,a year ago I would have just got on not a bother bareback but my confidence is not at all good these days and would like some support the Christ is looking to be my fave so far as has a cantle and poleys for support for me. I hate saddles!
 
I've got a best friend pad, but keep looking at the Christ ones. I usually use the bareback pad when it's raining and I don't want to get my saddle wet so will probably have the same issues with the Christ!

The Barefoot bareback pad looks quite good, the base looks similar to the best friend but it has a sheepskin top which makes it look like the Christ pad, could be the best of both worlds?
 
No_Angel said:
I've got a best friend pad, but keep looking at the Christ ones. I usually use the bareback pad when it's raining and I don't want to get my saddle wet so will probably have the same issues with the Christ!

The Barefoot bareback pad looks quite good, the base looks similar to the best friend but it has a sheepskin top which makes it look like the Christ pad, could be the best of both worlds?
Click to expand...

Yes I thought the barefoot ones looked nice too - although you have to buy the pad and the seat separately... that might be my next upgrade!
 
Best Friend, wouldn't be without it, had the Christ and sold on, had the Baretek and sold on, had the Libra, sold on, had the Hilason Draft and some other Hilason-wait for it, sold on. :biggrin:
Do you see a pattern forming here.

The cob doesn't like me totally bare, plus she lives out so she has loads of dust, a thick slippery coat and when wet the pad dries the spot so you can sit on.

This is the late chap - http://db.tt/zzmxKMLo
I still have the same pad, only difference between pony and full is the cinch and I have the extension for that now on the cob.
 
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I have the Christ pad. It is lush and I love it but Ziggy isn't keen, he doesn't like the dressage girth. I haven't got around to getting a different size girth so it's not in use at present.
 
Im swaying towards the Christ Tbh.the physio is coming on wed I've asked her opinion on bareback she's not against it just said some good some bad so going to discuss them on wed.I have told her after 20+ saddles I've had enough for what we do bareback I think may be the way forward!
J&z which one do you have I like the look of the one with knee rolls and also the Iberica?
 
NF how did you find the cashel?I have found one for £40 wondering it's worth a try?
Just to add I'm not planning on using stirrups at all.
 
Cashel actually just does a bareback pad (not yet tried) the one designed for stirrups made me ache without. I do live in a hilly location and probably could have done with a foot rest. They have brought out a newer version and I believe PFB on here uses the older one?

I only sold the Christ because of that same reason, it put me in a lovely position, it was definitely lush, but as I tend to grab a pad when wet that stayed on the rack. Lovely in the school, just not for out and about, it didn't have knee rolls but bit still have you that secure feeling, just not the feeling my bum wanted, trotting was totally awful on the cob but then she is a bouncing ball.
Oh and she hates wool. ;)

There is the Barefoot physio pad which is more for the heavier rider/older horse. It has the seat option, which really puts it into the Christ price range.
http://www.barefoot-tack.co.uk/barefoot-sheep-wool-seat-133-p.asp
 
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I've been looking at the barefoot and the one thing I do like is you can remove the seat if you want but for over £200 to buy both parts I'd rather spend the extra £50ish and go for the Christ I much prefer sheepskin to fleece.malaika loves sheepskin!as do i.physio is here tomorrow morning so will get her views on the pads and see which way to go from there.if I can just get something for over the winter to get out in I can reassess saddles next spring is what I'm thinking.hmmm getting a wee bit disheartened to be honest now.
 
I also have the Christ and love it, it puts you in a lovely seat and it does have a lot of support, plus it's so thick and lush it's really comfy. Raf doesn't like proper bareback either (he gets his worried head on and refuses to move) but is perfectly happy in the Christ.

I wouldn't feel confident to ride on the roads in it because of the lack of stirrups (it has stirrup attachments I think but I wouldn't use them) but feel perfectly happy in the school.
 
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