[crayon]

I know, I know... "Save your money for a saddle." But I really want to be able to have enjoyable rides in the meantime. My saddle search is going terribly. I currently have the Best Friend English bareback pad. I HATE it. Many people love it, but I just feel like I'm sinking in it. It's too cushy and doesn't seem to absorb enough shock. From my point of view, my pelvis feels very bony on Crayon. So I'm looking at some bareback pads. We finally cantered bareback and that went well aside from me being a tiny bit bouncy. lol. I'm trying to sell my... 5th unfitting sadde. And since I'm saving the $130 I already have to buy a pair of Cavallo boots, the most I can spend on a bareback pad right now is $230-240. I just really want something not as cushy as the Best Friend pad, but more shock absorbing and hopefully supportive... Maybe.

So here are the ones I'm interested in. Feel free to add any that you liked for yourself and for your horse's back. (Please over $100 though... IME anything under that hasn't been worth it.)

1. Fleeceworks, http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001JYIEWC/...SIN=B001JYIEWC

2. Skito, http://www.aretesaddlery.com/tack/ta.../prod_113.html

3. Barb Apple, http://barbapple-horseplay.net/trans...tail.php?id=16

4. ...This is probably too junky to even consider, but it doesn't hurt to post it, http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...=STRK:MEWAX:IT

5. I can't add to the poll, but the Diamond Wool one comes in orange! Not sure about shock absorbtion though, http://www.diamondwoolpads.com/product.asp?CID=3&PID=31

I will be going to the Equine Affair next week to see the P. Fantasia and hopefully get some shopping time to look at pads as well. I don't want to rush into buying one because I want to know that I'm going to like it.

Here are the ones I would consider if I had more money:
Supracor, http://www.aretesaddlery.com/tack/ta.../prod_243.html

Christ Premium, http://horsedreamimporters.com/bareback.php

El Companero, http://www.elcompanero.com/

If I end up not getting hoof boots, I will UD or RP with my more expensive options. But the pasture gets pretty hard when it freezes and isn't the most even ground ever for riding.

And if it helps, I'm 5'4" and about 120 pounds. So Crayon carries about 12% of her weight with me.

Thanks.

*I accidentally set the poll so that it shows who voted for what. If you don't vote because of this I understand.

[Rhythm 'n Blues]

Honestly in the intrum of your saddle saving, like I've suggested before, get a surcingle & put that on her, add some twine to hold onto just in case & sit behind it. NO it's not gonna pad your butt, or absob shock, but it'll stop you from moving around much and keep you back where you should be.

I think spending $230-240 for a bare back pad is just ridiculous! It's not bare back if you're not bare back

[xlilxonex]

What about one of those cashel soft saddles? Never ridden in one but i've heard they're quite comfy!!

http://www.cashelcompany.com/product...ProductID=8725

[crayon]

Nah, those Cashel things are too bulky for me. I wouldn't use stirrups with them either.

RnB, I know I should save for a saddle, but I'm not sure hwo long it's going to take to find the right one. And during that tiem I really want to be able to ride. But I have a bad lower back due to wearing *dun dun dun* Converse without foot inserts and my bareack pad that I have right now just doesn't cut it for me or Crayon. So I guess in a way I'm kind of stuck in a corner.

[crayon]

BUMP!

too short

[horseyfrk145]

Can you ride actually bareback? Or even a saddle pad (Roma makes one that's SUPER fluffy - it's their reversible one - and it works really well and is really comfy) and a surcingle. It works just as well...and I'm with RnB $200+ for a bareback pad No thank you! I always just ride bareback!

[crayon]

Originally Posted by horseyfrk145

Can you ride actually bareback? Or even a saddle pad (Roma makes one that's SUPER fluffy - it's their reversible one - and it works really well and is really comfy) and a surcingle. It works just as well...and I'm with RnB $200+ for a bareback pad No thank you! I always just ride bareback!

I can ride without a bareback pad, but it isn't very comfortable due to my back. And I'm also really paranoid about Crayon's bac so I would rather pay more for better shock absorbtion. And she's learning to canter as well... sometimes that gets a little bouncy when it doesn't go as I plan. Teehee.

[horseyfrk145]

I don't think it would hurt her back...and trust me, I'm the same way. My horse had a problem with his back last year and was out of work for like 5 months so I'm always worrying. But the vet told me that riding bareback really doesn't hurt them at all. And honestly, bouncing around bareback is *that* different than bouncing around in a saddle, and certainly no difference than bouncing around on a bareback bad. Plus, if a pad has that much "shock absorbing," then it will not allow you to use your seat as an aid, and may mess things up that way. Not to mention you and your horse will be more out of sync.

I understand about your back, it can be hard - but it's good work. Could you wear a back brace? A girl at my barn has back surgery after she broke it or something and she rides with a brace and it helps her a LOT. Again, try the Roma pad and a surcingle, I promise it will be as useful as any of the bareback pads you posted - and save that $200 to put towards a saddle.

[crayon]

I could try a back brace. Or maybe go to a chiropractor. lol. But chiropractors seem so creepy to me. I think I'm going to have to work on not being worried about Crayon's back. I'm so paranoid I put linament on her legs after any substantial workout and on her back if I ride without a bareback pad and feel liked I bounced. I'm weaning myself off of that.

[horseyfrk145]

I use linamint on my horse after a hard workout (XC or hard jumping lesson, mostly). And don't worry about it too much - you'll get better as you learn more! It's hard and exhausting to worry about everything. And not very helpful :P