[luvs2ride79]

Originally Posted by pippy

IMO they are good - like others said pending on type of work and for how long. However foam pads are useless, if you get one, compress it with your fingers you can squeeze it down to nothing - aka pressure point if your saddle is already creating one. Foam is only good as shock absorber if your saddle is 110% perfect for fit with it.
I also personally believe some saddle pads out there are just to thin so padding is sometime needed. So yea - i'm a firm believer in gel and fleece(natural fibres) not foam.

It depends on the TYPE of foam. Open cell foam (visco-elastic) actually works quite well. Most open cell foams in saddle pads are dense memory foam, which absorbs up to 90% of the impact/pressure to a horse's back, and circulates are really well. Skito, Equipedic, Toklat Ultra Cell, and Cloud Pads all use similar open cell foams.

ThinLine uses an even more dense open cell foam. It resembles neoprene, but it won't trap or create heat like neoprene will, and it distributes heat and pressure laterally along a larger surface area. It works very well at eliminating pressure points and preventing injury. It is also recommended for PEOPLE with back pain as it helps stabalize the saddle and rider, reducing impact to the rider's seat bones.

But yes, that cheap smoosh-y yellow foam that you see in lollipop pads and other cheap pads does absolutely nothing beneficial for the horse's back.

[Solly Jumper]

Originally Posted by luvs2ride79

It depends on the TYPE of foam. Open cell foam (visco-elastic) actually works quite well. Most open cell foams in saddle pads are dense memory foam, which absorbs up to 90% of the impact/pressure to a horse's back, and circulates are really well. Skito, Equipedic, Toklat Ultra Cell, and Cloud Pads all use similar open cell foams.

ThinLine uses an even more dense open cell foam. It resembles neoprene, but it won't trap or create heat like neoprene will, and it distributes heat and pressure laterally along a larger surface area. It works very well at eliminating pressure points and preventing injury. It is also recommended for PEOPLE with back pain as it helps stabalize the saddle and rider, reducing impact to the rider's seat bones.

But yes, that cheap smoosh-y yellow foam that you see in lollipop pads and other cheap pads does absolutely nothing beneficial for the horse's back.

I was thinking of getting a Thinline to see if it helps with my back problems!

[luvs2ride79]

Originally Posted by Solly Jumper

I was thinking of getting a Thinline to see if it helps with my back problems!

It's definitely worth a shot! You can always return it if it doesn't help you.

I didn't notice an imediate improvement, but noticed that over time, my back was less and less fatigued. I also altered my riding position a little. I brought my legs back under me more (so my heels were almost behind my hip bone), tucked my rear a little more (so I am more on my seat bones with little weight on my pelvic bone), and relaxed my shoulder's back, so my back is relaxed and straight. This position takes the pressure off my lower back and spreads it along my whole spine and hips.

[Kat&Ashton]

I have this one.

http://www.doversaddlery.com/grand-p...19462/cn/1723/

[Solly Jumper]

Originally Posted by luvs2ride79

It's definitely worth a shot! You can always return it if it doesn't help you.

I didn't notice an imediate improvement, but noticed that over time, my back was less and less fatigued. I also altered my riding position a little. I brought my legs back under me more (so my heels were almost behind my hip bone), tucked my rear a little more (so I am more on my seat bones with little weight on my pelvic bone), and relaxed my shoulder's back, so my back is relaxed and straight. This position takes the pressure off my lower back and spreads it along my whole spine and hips.

All of your changes are definitely what I need. I "perch" when I ride, so I'm more riding on my crotch rather than my seatbones. And my shoulders are a huge fault of mine... they always roll forward. I tense my back a lot so maybe buying a Thinline will help with this.

[luvs2ride79]

Originally Posted by Solly Jumper

All of your changes are definitely what I need. I "perch" when I ride, so I'm more riding on my crotch rather than my seatbones. And my shoulders are a huge fault of mine... they always roll forward. I tense my back a lot so maybe buying a Thinline will help with this.

Once you get into that centered position, with the ThinLine pad, you'll notice some good improvement. At first you'll feel a stretch at the front of your thighs/pelvis, becuase those tendons are used to being "open". Try to stretch your leg down long and back with your pelvis rotated back (so your more on your pockets), while relaxing your upper body back. Take a deep breathe and relax your lower back too. It will feel awkward, but once you get used to it, you'll notice a lot less soreness in your back. Work on this position now, while your pad is on order .

[Solly Jumper]

I even got a 10% off coupon from their site. I'm going to order it ASAP!

[harli36]

Solly Jumper definitely try the thinline out. But I have lower back problems and noticed no difference with my thinline in either myself or my horse (not that she had any problems I was trying to remedy. Just make sure that you get several rides out of it within the first 30 days you have it. If there are no improvements you can always return it.

IMO you will probably get more relief out of fixing your position problems then in getting a new pad.

[jazzyjumper]

I haven't used a Thinline before, but I do use a sheepskin halfpad. The horse I ride has boney withers and needs a little extra there to help the saddle fit better. It provides a good shock absorber with a full pad underneath. Now with JUST the sheepskin halfpad, it offers a lot more breathability. It helps to keep the horse cooler by wicking the moisture away from its back. I highly reccomend sheepskin pads!

[luvs2ride79]

Originally Posted by Solly Jumper

I even got a 10% off coupon from their site. I'm going to order it ASAP!

If you order from aretesaddlery.com, their prices are already 10% below retail, and you can use your coupon too, for another 10%. I used the coupon ABC123 .