Does anyone use one? I've heard a lot of good things about them lately so have got one to try because much as this is the only saddle I tried that Luka seemed happy with I've always had a slight doubt about the fit and also the fact that it's a close contact saddle with very thin padding even for a cc and when the weather is better I ride for longer than these sort of saddles are designed for. To date it hasn't bothered him as much as it does me! So having done a bit of reading and talking to a good saddler I've got one to replace my gel pad which doesn't cover the panels properly anyway and is a pain to put on. I've only had one ride in it because of the weather and he was in such a hyper mood that it was hard to tell if he went better in it, though I have to say it did make his "crazy hot cob" walk easier to ride since it didn't feel like every step was moving me in the saddle.
Thinline pads
- Thread starter carthorse
- Start date
I used to use one under a western saddle, but it was one sandwiched in felt. They’re meant to be really very good, I often debated getting Jess one as she was the princess and the pea.
@Jessey the write up on them is amazing, and supported by independent pressure testing. This one isn't sandwiched in felt though, that would make it far too bulky for what I need, it's this ultrathin version one https://www.thinlineglobal.eu/shop/english-saddle-pads/basic-pads/thinline-perfect-fit-pad/ . If you're interested I'll let you know how we get on with it, he's not unhappy with the present set up - it's more me who has a niggle - but like Jess he's a bit of a princess so if he thinks it's better I'll know!
Second ride in it today @Jessey , the weather hasn't been on my side for testing it. It's certainly easier to put on than the gel pad though I need to finetune the placement, it's a bit long for his saddle but the size down wasn't wide enough to cover the panels at the back.
Despite having a week off he felt relaxed straight away, normally he's tense and tight to start with, he doesn't actually do anything as long as I sit quietly and let him move but I can see how things went wrong in the past, Today nothing, and he was stepping long nicely until he spotted some spring grass that needed dealing with
. From my point of view it does ease the piston effect of his trot if he's on a mission, yet it doesn't seem to block communication through seat and position. He seemed to like it today, playing about with his trot and showing that he was freed up enough through his back to trot down a fairly steep stretch of road without hesitation - quite why he thought I wanted to do that I don't know but his tiny devil pony ears were pricked too far forward to hear verbal walk commands and clearly he was too focused to feel aids. Cobs!
I think this is something that's going to work for both of us.
Despite having a week off he felt relaxed straight away, normally he's tense and tight to start with, he doesn't actually do anything as long as I sit quietly and let him move but I can see how things went wrong in the past, Today nothing, and he was stepping long nicely until he spotted some spring grass that needed dealing with
. From my point of view it does ease the piston effect of his trot if he's on a mission, yet it doesn't seem to block communication through seat and position. He seemed to like it today, playing about with his trot and showing that he was freed up enough through his back to trot down a fairly steep stretch of road without hesitation - quite why he thought I wanted to do that I don't know but his tiny devil pony ears were pricked too far forward to hear verbal walk commands and clearly he was too focused to feel aids. Cobs! I think this is something that's going to work for both of us.
That sounds great! I could never quite get my head around something so thin giving so much concussive absorption, but it sounds like you can feel the benefits as well as him.
Oh when he's strutting his stuff there's a real difference to me, though whether it would be as significant on a horse with more normal paces I don't know. What I struggle to understand is how it absorbs so much concussion yet doesn't seem to block seat and position aids, but realistically I don't need to understand it I just like that it works.
Done a bit more work this week and I'd say yes he does feel a bit softer in it. It's hard to tell with him at times because he can be such a hot little cob, but overall I think he is a bit more lifted through his back, a bit more stretchy over his top and we even had a trot up a hill where he was reaching forward and down for a short way - and no he wasn't tired, far from it. However he has worked out that he can trot sideways in it very nicely and this seems to be a new trick he's very proud of.
So overall I'd say that, for us, it's worth it though with Luka it could just be we've had a good run, he isn't the most consistent.
So overall I'd say that, for us, it's worth it though with Luka it could just be we've had a good run, he isn't the most consistent.
Love them. Bought for a lease horse we jumped with whose owner was worried about horses back. Not that I land heavy but you gotta keep the owner happy.
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