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Post by Chrisnstar on Oct 19, 2004 18:11:15 GMT -5
As some of you know, Star was a real butthead on his last endurance ride. Turns out it was the fancy dancy new saddle pad I bought for him that is supposed to be the cats meow of pads. It certainly cost enough! $209. It is called EquiPedic. it has a wool felt base, with holofill fiber center and removable open cell foam inserts. It's makers claim it reduces pressure points, increases blood flow, reduces skin temperature, and will make your horse run faster and jump higher, etc... Star's usual pad is a plain real wool fleece Tokat pad. I've literally tried dozens of pads on him and that seems to the be one he likes the best. But you know us horse moms, we always are wanting something better for our babies.... anyway, when I used this pad, my saddle slipped terribly. I was constantly fighting for position. When I retacked up at the vet check, I had to really crank the girth tight to keep the saddle from slipping. When we got through and I untacked him for the day, there were awful dry spots where there usually aren't any. Clearly this was at least one of the causes of his angst that day. The maker of the pad called me after seeing my comment on an endurance list. He said I did two things wrong. First I didn't tighten the girth enough. SEcond, I didn't use the loops on the pad to to keep the saddle and pad together. Ok, fair enough. He thinks I should keep trying. I have plenty of offers on the pad. Every endurance rider in america wants this, it seems. I just got it sold to one gal for $150 plus shipping, now I got another offer for $175 plus shipping. Do I keep the pad and try it again, or sell it (I always can use the money). Do I sell it to the first bidder, or to the high bidder? sigh....  chris |
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Post by Vicki on Oct 19, 2004 18:37:16 GMT -5
Chris,
I would give it one more try in the next couple of days using the manufacturers suggestions. If it works out just tell the person you changed your mind.
I've never used the equipedic. I use a BMSS and a skito. If I don't use the loops on the pad it slips something fierce.
Vicki
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Post by Mary Ann on Oct 19, 2004 18:59:08 GMT -5
Personally, any pad that can't stay still under my saddle without keepers has to GO. If it can't stay put without keepers, breastplates, velcro or glue, then it's telling me that there's friction somewhere, and I don't need that. The only time I ever use the keepers is when I show. If it won't stay still, I want to KNOW it. I'd take the highest offer and wish them well. Stinking horses. If they only knew how hard we try for them....  |
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Post by spots on Oct 19, 2004 20:48:40 GMT -5
Pad Princess here.
I've used felt combination pads, I really like them...on....some...horse-and-saddle combo's. But only if they don't slip and slide all over. I use a felt pad on Doofus when I ride him, I'd use a Toklat on him if that worked...I don't care...it's how does the horse ACT ? How does his back do afterwards? For instance, I really like my older skito on White Mike when we do ground work. Just snuggles right down on him. It was a total disaster on the horse I bought it for about 5 years ago, but since it worked on B's horse like a charm, I kept it. The wither shape was critical, it didn't matter how I shimmed it, how tight I girthed it, I had the keeper loops engaged, that thing just did NOT work well on Wonder Gelding, but it was okay for Amber, both Arabians.
I ended up using one of those Prof. choice bubble wrap jobs on him with that particular saddle. Go figure. I would have never tried it if someone else hadn't suggested it to me on the internet. Trail riders do not do Bubble Wrap, but since it had the real wool fleece bottom...they reconsidered. Ugly thing. Still have it. Still hasn't worn out. I don't care, I just can't be sliding sideways off the side of a cliff to say I am using the latest innovation in pad technology.
I think it's time the thing was re-homed to someone who could deal with its eccentricities. You mentioned Star was itchy. Hasta la vista, paddie. Nothing worse than itchy besides lumpy, bumpy, and slippy.
Someone wants to give you money for it? Even better ! Go for it !
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Post by jennifer on Oct 19, 2004 21:02:19 GMT -5
I say give it another try.
You know that I just LOVE mine! No slipping at all, even up and down hills. I do use the loops, though. I'm also used to retightening my saddle already, since I was using the Toklat Woolback with the little Skito thing over the top of it. The foam in the Equipedic seems to be the same stuff as is in the Skito. Both will compress some when they get warm. The foam in the Equipedic seems to be a fair amount thicker than the little Skito thing that I have. It's not a full Skito pad, just a little pad that goes right under the weight bearing areas under the saddle. I never had any problems with my Toklat/Skito combo with Nitro or with Frisky, but it was just an extra step to hassle with to put them both of them on.
Jennifer
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Post by linda on Oct 20, 2004 12:42:56 GMT -5
Chris--try the pad on a couple of your other horses to see if it just might work for them. If you don't see any REAL magic--find that highest bidder and wish them well!
It doesn't matter how wonderful something is suppose to be, if it doesn't work for YOUR horse, then it doesn't matter at all how wonderful someone else thinks something is.
When you get the tack that works, then it stays in place without tight girths. Western saddles that REALLY fit can be ridden (even mounted) with no girth at all.
This is NOT the right pad for Star. He has told you that loud and clear. I think he was very nice not to have made you walk that whole endurance ride. My mare would have told me--in no uncertain terms--that I was walking. Don't even bother trying the pad back on Star. You want him to know that you "heard" his communication. If we are too "dumb" to "hear" them when they try to communicate, then they give up on us and consider us hopelessly retarded. Or--they revert to shouting--you don't want to hear a horse shout. That usually hurts ;D And, the worst part, is that the recipient of the shouted message believes that it was the fault of the horse...... Linda
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Post by Lindanshadow on Oct 20, 2004 15:43:28 GMT -5
Hi Chris,
The way I see it, if it makes your horse act up and leaves dry spots, it doesn't matter if you used the keepers or not it is not the right pad for Star. I would get rid of it!
Linda
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Post by Val on Oct 20, 2004 16:50:11 GMT -5
Chris: IMHO, dry spots are the most alarming thing to see under your saddle pad! & cranking the girth TIGHTER will only AGGRAVATE the problem... :oDoesn't sound like the Equipedic pad is the right one for Star (sell, sell!), but then again I'm having a similar prob: I've gone thru about 6 different pads to find one that works on Quig! The Equipedic works like a charm, but it doesn't work on Sahara... I recently put her back to work & I'm noticing some hot spots across her big wide back w/the Equipedic...  So it's back to the Amazing Relief pad (I can't remember the names on all these Wonder pads, I think it's "Enduring Relief", it has thermoplastic inserts!) or maybe a Skito... Good luck but I'd go back to what works!!! |
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