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Post by Deleted on Mar 5, 2015 22:14:37 GMT
We all know that trends in the horse world come and go like the tide, and are generally expensive.
I do my best not to be a compulsive shopper and buy some of these things, but sometimes I fail.
I am currently debating 2 'fad' items.
1) The "Total Saddle Fit" shoulder relief girth totalsaddlefit.com/shoulderreliefgirth/
I am not sure I totally buy into this, but they do seem to have an ace marketing department. I have never actually met or heard of anyone who has tried one of these. Interesting premise for sure. Would probably already own one if they were cheaper.
2) Oglivy Jumper Half Pad ogilvyequestrian.com/en/store/listing/jumper
I am a little more inclined towards this one, only because I can find them second hand for a reasonable price in my area. I don't think there is any 'miracle cure' for poor saddle fit, but a lot of people have said that these make a difference in their back pain. I have scoliosis so back pain in a factor for me.
3) Back on Track anything
This one I will say I am a believer in. I have the brace for my knee and it does a better job of eliminating my pain than prescription pills and physical therapy do.
Which fad bandwagons have your jumped on (or off of) ? 
Does anyone have any experience or opinions on items 1-2 before I take the plunge? |
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Post by horselover4life on Mar 6, 2015 0:33:28 GMT
I don't buy the girth thing....
saddle fit is saddle fit, period. If your saddle pinches or sits down on the wither, it is a saddle fit issue and no girth is going to fix that imo.
So a well fitted saddle with attached girth that is shaped at the elbow.... fixes many problems before they begin.
So what I've seen of that girth is it allows a ill-fitting saddle to use a girth that will allow the saddle to sit in the wrong place and then use a girth to force-hold "fixing" the issue.
I know that did not write the way I want it or meant it to....
Marketing is what you are seeing. So very right Apollo.
I would rather see you use a "fore-girth" like they do on Thoroughbred race horses for saddle placement.....costs a lot less too.
I'm not sure that is the proper name for what I am thinking of....HL...help me out...What is that thing called?
Placed before the saddle cloth, after tightening the girth they then attach the overgirth....
Apollo, what I am thinking of will do exactly what this product is marketing at for a $$$$ that is not needed...
So does the saddle pad offer relief to the horse or to the rider?
Not sure which one is experiencing back aches...
Again a lot of $$, but if it works and makes either more comfortable....I guess why not get some relief.
Especially if you can find them at a fraction of the original cost.
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Post by lorddaxter on Mar 6, 2015 0:52:49 GMT
Personally a no to the saddle pad, I have an older prolite pad for my horses english saddle and a heather moffat seat pad, she makes horse pads and saddle pads now too in the UK, I can vouch for her products.
The girth, I actually like it, Im looking for a new one for Daxs english saddle, thanks!
I had an older shaped atherstone leather padded girth I used for eventing, I loved it as did my horse, it seems more comfy, theyve changed the style over the past years and the one you posted is actually pretty close, thanks again!
Right now I cant think of anything but yes Im bad for buying fad items too, especially if they have flashing lights, like those horse tails, Id love one!
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Post by carshon on Mar 6, 2015 14:09:28 GMT
I don't think I have purchased too many fad items. Maybe the pulling collar I ride with instead of a breast collar. But I do like it a lot more then a breast collar. When I think of fads - I think of the bronc nose halters that are so popular now and those horrible tack sets with fringe on them, and saddles etc with WAY too much bling.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 6, 2015 15:49:00 GMT
The half pad is supposed to help the horses' back, although in my situation I am the one with the sore back. Better me than Benny I suppose. Although the fact I have seen a fair number for sale in the past few months makes me think they are not all they are cracked up to be. I think what I like most about them is that they can accommodate shim like inserts, which would be a huge benefit to me.
I don't own a bronc halter, but I would have if I had a horse whose face I thought it would suit.
I don't understand the fringe sets, but I also don't do a ton of western riding. I personally think they look cheesy, but to each their own.
I really like those tail lights as well, but don't do enough trail riding (yet) to justify them.
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mistersmom
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Abita Springs, LA
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Post by mistersmom on Mar 6, 2015 15:56:42 GMT
I don't really think I used any sort of fad tack. I did try a neoprene girth and saddle pad with neoprene on the bottom. I quickly switched back to wool/felt though. I also used a breast collar on Mister a few times but it was strictly because I thought it looked cool but can to my senses that I didn't need it and even though it matched my saddle, I didn't use it.
I think I must be a minimalist when it comes to tack. smileys-home-474322 |
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Post by Deleted on Aug 14, 2015 20:31:00 GMT
Thought I would bump this up because I just bought one of those half pads second hand today. I am going to give it a go and see how I like it. I will report back with a review  |
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Post by Deleted on Aug 19, 2015 17:24:06 GMT
So I had my first ride in the half pad last night. My initial impression was that it could probably stand to be a half inch smaller all the way around, it looked big for my 17.5, but not massive. It does take some time to compress. I always do my girth up slowly and incrementally, but I had a really hard time getting it on to the first hole. This is due in part to the fact Benny is a bloater, but the pad definitely added to the situation.
That being said, by the time I put his bridle on, messed with my helmet and walked to the arena things were about what they should have been girth wise. Prior to mounting I was able to get the girth to where I normally have it done up with relative ease.
When I mounted I noticed that I did sort of feel perched almost, this was a little odd at first, but I got used to it soon enough. This could be due in part to the fact Benny decided to grow again and his hind end has shot up some more. As soon as we started moving I noticed that there was significantly less excess movement, everything felt locked down and in place which was nice, but a bit surprising. It had a huge effect on the impact I felt and I would imagine it was the same for Benny.
Where I noticed the most significant difference was at the canter, Benny does not have a ton of suspension and this makes his gaits, particularly his canter rough. I noticed that his canter was easier to sit into and he seemed more comfortable at the canter. At the end of our ride he even offered some really nice long and low stretchy trot which is huge for him as he likes to travel inverted when he can, for him to loosen through his back and offer to round up and stretch is big for him. While I am not willing to credit that 100% to the half pad, I do think it was a factor to some degree.
It did alter the fit of my saddle a little bit, but for the better. I am in the process of purchasing a new saddle for him that fits the both of us a little better. (Note: His saddle fit isn't awful, but it isn't perfect either. I've been mostly riding bareback recently until I either find a new saddle or a am able to get this one shimmed.)
All in all I give this pad 4/5 stars. I was impressed with the quality and movement reduction, but wished it fit under my saddle a little better and gave less of a sense of being perched. I would recommend trying one.
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mistersmom
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Abita Springs, LA
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Post by mistersmom on Aug 19, 2015 17:54:22 GMT
I'd love to see a picture of the half pad you have Apollo. It sounds like Benny liked it.
I would also suggest that you might hold off on buying a new saddle for Benny since he will be going for training soon and most likely will come back a different shape!
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Post by horselady on Aug 19, 2015 19:36:27 GMT
Nice to hear of the positive and negative of the half pad. and mm that is a great idea. bodies will change with the work and not buying a saddle at this time will pay off later. unless of course that great deal comes along.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 2, 2015 14:05:01 GMT
  I thought this got posted ages ago, but sketchy WiFi strikes again it appears. The pictures aren't the greatest but they do give you and idea. I actually really like this pad the more I ride in it, I get the impression Benny likes it too. Maybe that is a figment of my imagination because I was very hopeful that it would, but he has been more willing to stretch down and even started to noticeably lift his back for a stride or two since I've been riding in it. |
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mistersmom
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Post by mistersmom on Sept 2, 2015 14:47:42 GMT
So is it the Oglivy half-pad? Can I ask how much you paid for it because they are ridiculously expensive if buying new?!
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Post by Deleted on Sept 2, 2015 15:15:56 GMT
Yes, the Ogilvy is the half pad. I only paid $120 for it, and it was hardly used. I recently saw two with a little more wear on them, but still completely usable for $80 in a consignment tack shop.
They are crazy expensive. That is for sure. I don't know if I would drop the $200+ to get one new, but all things considered I am ok with the $120 I paid for this one as it does help the saddle fit (as much as any other correctional pad of this nature would), and I definitely think that there is something to the claims they make about impact absorption. I think the impact absorption aspect probably becomes more pronounced over fences, but I haven't jumped in it yet so I can't speak to that.
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