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 Expert
Posts: 1482
  
Location: on my horse | Ok guys go shopping for me, I REALLY need a new saddle pad! Keep it around $200 or less 
ETA: I HATE impact gel lol
Edited by redmansmyman11 2014-05-04 6:45 PM
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Hungarian Midget Woman
 
Location: Midwest | Well I currently like
5 Star (I have a 1" and a 1/2")
Saddleright
CE Biofit
depending on how the saddle fits the horse. So this is likely no help. LOL |
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Expert
Posts: 1482
Location: on my horse | tell me more about them, what do you like? |
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Married to a Louie Lover
Posts: 3303
| I love my 5 star's hands down. I have a 1/2" and a 7/8". I know Rockyroad can keep some of them in your price range, I just got another 1/2" for my barn owner. |
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Expert
Posts: 1482
Location: on my horse | save me some googling and tell me what a 5 star is? Is it wool or synthetic or? |
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  Northern Chocolate Queen
Posts: 16576
Location: ND | Only pad's I buy anymore are 5 Star, they're wool. PM our bb Rockyroad for the best deals on them! |
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 More bootie than waist!
Posts: 18425
Location: Riding Crackhead. | Only pads I buy and use are 5 Stars. I think I have 6 of them now. |
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 A Somebody to Everybody
Posts: 41354
Location: Under The Big Sky Of Texas | Why 5 Star of course  |
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Expert
Posts: 1482
Location: on my horse | hahahaha apparently I need to get myself a 5 star!! Forgive me previous ignorance about the superior brand |
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Hungarian Midget Woman
Location: Midwest | The 5 stars are wool. They are really good quality!
I kind of go with how I feel with the particular pad and how it meshes with the horse's back and the saddle itself. |
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 Veteran
Posts: 155
| 5 Star pads are the best on the market. They're made of wool. |
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Married to a Louie Lover
Posts: 3303
| Important to note they are a much higher quality and % virgin wool than other wool pads on the market. The Martin fitter I worked with said they are the best pad out there and recommended them to us, even though the tack shop he works for doesn't carry them (we already knew they were awesome though!) |
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 1119
| Not to be repetitive, but 5 star!!!  |
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 Expert
Posts: 1538
Location: South Dakota | I really like my Todd Slone pads. I have 3 of them. I would also try a 5 star. |
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 Money Eating Baggage Owner
Posts: 9586
Location: Phoenix | 5 Stars have super soft wool, and I LOVE the top line contour--fits a horse so well!
Other pads I want to try are:
Saddleright
CE Biofit
Clinton Anderson PRS pad. |
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 Regular
Posts: 95
| I have a pro choice smx air ride pad and I feel that it works just as well as anything out there and it costs way less than a 5 star pad.
I've been tempted to buy a 5 star but I kind of wonder if you all haven't been sucked in to a marketing scheme. Sure, they might be good, but are they that much better than cheaper alternatives?? |
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Money Eating Baggage Owner
Posts: 9586
Location: Phoenix | albertacowgirl - 2014-05-05 11:11 AM I have a pro choice smx air ride pad and I feel that it works just as well as anything out there and it costs way less than a 5 star pad. I've been tempted to buy a 5 star but I kind of wonder if you all haven't been sucked in to a marketing scheme. Sure, they might be good, but are they that much better than cheaper alternatives??
IMO--yes. I've used Todd Slone's, Bayou West, Impact Gels, and a Classic Equine wool saddle pads and 5 Stars are THE SOFTEST pad I've ever used. They are the only pad where I feel like I could use as thin as a 1/2" pad and feel like the horses' back is still protected.
I read this article and was sold. Granted, 5 Star wrote the article, but they make some good points!
http://www.5starequineproducts.com/research-articles/saddle-pad-research/ |
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Veteran
Posts: 294
| I have a ton of pads including the 5 star. If your saddle fits the 5 star or slone is the way to go. My horse has some shoulder issues so I use the bio fit. I also just ordered an SMX Ortho because I need the shims to be further back. I have a saddleright too and like that just as well as the 5 star. |
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A Somebody to Everybody
Posts: 41354
Location: Under The Big Sky Of Texas | albertacowgirl - 2014-05-05 1:11 PM I have a pro choice smx air ride pad and I feel that it works just as well as anything out there and it costs way less than a 5 star pad. I've been tempted to buy a 5 star but I kind of wonder if you all haven't been sucked in to a marketing scheme. Sure, they might be good, but are they that much better than cheaper alternatives??
Hummm  , no marketing scheme, been useing 5 Stars for years now and they held up lot longer then any other pads I have used. And my oldest one still looks new. Had an air ride pads by Pro choice and they will break down after a year that I used them. I thought the air rides where awesome too, but then I found out about the 5 Stars  |
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More bootie than waist!
Posts: 18425
Location: Riding Crackhead. | albertacowgirl - 2014-05-05 1:11 PM I have a pro choice smx air ride pad and I feel that it works just as well as anything out there and it costs way less than a 5 star pad. I've been tempted to buy a 5 star but I kind of wonder if you all haven't been sucked in to a marketing scheme. Sure, they might be good, but are they that much better than cheaper alternatives??
IMO yes they are worth it and its definately not a marketing scheme. I used to use SMX pads but my horses were continuously back sore. |
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 Expert
Posts: 1552
Location: Texas | Saddleright Pad pads are the best in my opinion.
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 Party Girl
Posts: 12293
Location: Buffalo, Wyoming | A 5 Star is on my list of pads to try.
I have Ed Wrights and Sloans right now that I love. I will most likely being buying another Ed here shortly. |
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 Miss Laundry Misshap
Posts: 5271
| 5 star pads are my favorite! And, no it's not a marketing scheme. Those suckers hold up and don't fuzz or fray or anything like some wool pads do. |
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 Midget Lover
Location: Kentucky | albertacowgirl - 2014-05-05 2:11 PM I have a pro choice smx air ride pad and I feel that it works just as well as anything out there and it costs way less than a 5 star pad. I've been tempted to buy a 5 star but I kind of wonder if you all haven't been sucked in to a marketing scheme. Sure, they might be good, but are they that much better than cheaper alternatives??
Marketing schemes don't equal the success 5 Star has had. |
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 Super Bumper
Posts: 3392
Location: At the Brownderosa | Ditto on the 5 star! |
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Expert
Posts: 1482
Location: on my horse | I'm looking into the 5 star but have a question on the Bayou West pads? Whoever has used them tell me what you liked/didn't like I have a friend with one that seems like it's held up really well.
Also my saddle fits my boy great, we'd been having some back soreness issues but they were due to a very weak top line, with chiropractic and gymnastic work we've strengthened his top line quite a bit. The only place he is still filling in is right behind his shoulder and that has improved immensely as well |
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 Expert
Posts: 1440
Location: Texas | I have 3 five stars and like them. I recently bought a CE biofit shim pad and it is JUNK the shims have already compressed down after about 10 rides. I thought I could use this vs my 5 stars with shims. It did not hold up to the test. |
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Member
Posts: 41
| what about CSI Pads pros and cons of them? |
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More bootie than waist!
Posts: 18425
Location: Riding Crackhead. | Nateracer - 2014-05-05 2:15 PM 5 star pads are my favorite! And, no it's not a marketing scheme. Those suckers hold up and don't fuzz or fray or anything like some wool pads do.
And they used to come in BLUE!!!!! |
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Miss Laundry Misshap
Posts: 5271
| CYA Ranch - 2014-05-05 2:36 PM Nateracer - 2014-05-05 2:15 PM 5 star pads are my favorite! And, no it's not a marketing scheme. Those suckers hold up and don't fuzz or fray or anything like some wool pads do. And they used to come in BLUE!!!!!
And some cowgirl I know managed to find one!!! |
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More bootie than waist!
Posts: 18425
Location: Riding Crackhead. | Nateracer - 2014-05-05 2:43 PM CYA Ranch - 2014-05-05 2:36 PM Nateracer - 2014-05-05 2:15 PM 5 star pads are my favorite! And, no it's not a marketing scheme. Those suckers hold up and don't fuzz or fray or anything like some wool pads do. And they used to come in BLUE!!!!!
There are a few special people in the World. |
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 First Class Thread Killer
Posts: 3381
Location: Iowa | I LOVE my CSI pad
OOps, just read the original post. CSI's do run a little more. I was really hesitant to spend the money, but I am so glad I did!
Edited by iabarlrcer 2014-05-05 2:57 PM
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 Keeper of the King Snake
Posts: 7622
Location: Dubach, LA | I can't believe noone has mentioned 5 star. (eyes rolling) I like the Wyatt pad with the roper insert because it's like getting two pads in one. That said, just remember that you are buying a saddle pad.
http://www.wyattsaddlepad.com/index.html
Edited by CanCan 2014-05-05 6:29 PM
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 Firecracker Dog Lover
Posts: 3175
| I am a Saddleright fan. It's what I always go back to. Been using a Classic Equine ESP cause I won it and it's pretty - well - pretty is as pretty does and am back to my Saddleright. |
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 Expert
Posts: 2457
| Murphy - 2014-05-05 2:17 PM
albertacowgirl - 2014-05-05 2:11 PM I have a pro choice smx air ride pad and I feel that it works just as well as anything out there and it costs way less than a 5 star pad. I've been tempted to buy a 5 star but I kind of wonder if you all haven't been sucked in to a marketing scheme. Sure, they might be good, but are they that much better than cheaper alternatives??
Marketing schemes don't equal the success 5 Star has had.
I will let ya know. I have an SMX air ride that I've been using for the last 5 years. It needs replaced now. I ordered a 5 star a bit ago and will update. I am currently using a Impact Gel and am not impressed. I also have used Mayatex and CSI - not impressed with either of them either.
I chose to go 5 star because I want something that will take the abuse I dished out and last more than 5 years. We'll see. |
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Money Eating Baggage Owner
Posts: 9586
Location: Phoenix | redmansmyman11 - 2014-05-05 12:22 PM I'm looking into the 5 star but have a question on the Bayou West pads? Whoever has used them tell me what you liked/didn't like I have a friend with one that seems like it's held up really well. Also my saddle fits my boy great, we'd been having some back soreness issues but they were due to a very weak top line, with chiropractic and gymnastic work we've strengthened his top line quite a bit. The only place he is still filling in is right behind his shoulder and that has improved immensely as well
Bayou West's are a stiffer pad, so I use them on a horse where the saddle doesn't fit as well because it seems like it keeps the pressure off the back....if that makes sense. It would be my next choice after 5 Stars. |
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Expert
Posts: 1226
| My friend just bought a csi. I tried it and loved it. They are expensive but saving up. It fit awesome and I have a older gelding who is a little hollowed out on withers I loved it on him |
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 Experienced Mouse Trapper
Posts: 3106
Location: North Dakota | I sent you a PM |
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 Extreme Veteran
Posts: 356
| albertacowgirl - 2014-05-05 1:11 PM
I have a pro choice smx air ride pad and I feel that it works just as well as anything out there and it costs way less than a 5 star pad.
I've been tempted to buy a 5 star but I kind of wonder if you all haven't been sucked in to a marketing scheme. Sure, they might be good, but are they that much better than cheaper alternatives??
I have had three Air Ride pads. Looking back, I have no idea why the heck I bought the third one! I'm not a fan. The inside of them broke down within a year of moderate use, and my horse started showing dry spots with a saddle that had no fit issues.
I think comparing the Air Ride pad to a 5 Star is apples to oranges. I do not now, nor have I ever owned a 5 Star, so I can't speak from personal experience with them. From everything I've been told, if you want a cheaper alternative to a 5 Star, Diamond Wool makes a decent product.
What I like about both the 5 Star pads and Diamond Wool pads is that there is no "marketing" scheme to them. They are simply wool pads. The 5 Star is higher quality wool than the Diamond Wool according to my research. However, there is none of the fancy "air cells", "gel bladders", or "memory foam". They are plain wool pads. I think other companies are the ones sucking you in with marketing schemes! And I own an Impact Gel that I am very happy with! That being said, if I were to do it again, I would put the money I spent on the Impact Gel into a 5 Star. |
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Expert
Posts: 1482
Location: on my horse | CanCan - 2014-05-05 2:18 PM
I can't believe noone has mentioned 5 star. (eyes rolling) I like the Wyatt pad with the roper insert because it's like getting two pads in one. That said, just remember that you are buying a saddle pad.
http://www.wyattsaddlepad.com/index.html
Haha 5 star is definitely the most popular option around here, but I'm taking my time and looking into all the pads that have been mentioned and doing my own research as well.
Thanks for the other options |
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The Advice Guru
Posts: 6419
| smak - 2014-05-05 2:28 PM
what about CSI Pads pros and cons of them?
I love my CSI pads, and the owner even convinced my mother who has been a natural wool pad all her life.
The pros of the csi is the flex plate in each saddle dissipates the pressure from the saddle all along the plate.
The owner demonstrates this by her pressure test, she has 5 star, impact get, and one other brand, you place the sample of the pad over your hand and pull the leaver down till you cannot handle the pain. It measures how much force you excerpt on your hand. You also get to feel what your horse is feeling if your saddle is say pinching.
When I did the test, I could pull on the leaver till I couldn't pull any harder, my hand still felt fine. The impact get was the worst, 5 star not that far ahead of impact. My mother had the same experience as I.
Other things that are nice is that you can have different thicknesses of inserts and change the insert to suit the horse. The insert is the bottom part of the pad that is wool, you can get true merino wool, it is more expensive, and more natural then anything 5 star sells. The thicknesses of the felt inserts, these are still wool, but have been through the felting process is 1/2, 3/4, 1 inch.
The top part of the pad is made of a heavy duty material, it is very easy to clean with a brush, or with a pressure washer, what ever you want, it doesn't damage the material. With a 5 star they come with directions and sometimes a foam material you use to clean the pad.
The cons of the csi is she no longer makes the 28 inch top piece, so you have to find one used (they generally will have the foam bottom). I have done this and bought an insert to fit, there is a lifetime warranty on the flex plate, and last time I spoke to her she has not had to replace one yet. She only makes size 30 which you have to request, and 32. I also have these sizes and I haven't had any problems with them soring up my horses. I have 6 horses that are ridden with these.
I know that some people don't believe that csi conforms to the horses back, I can say when I pull mine off of my horse and set it on the ground it still has the shape of my horse, so yes it does conform. I do know that this is 5 stars main selling point, but there are many other pads that do conform as well, Ed Wright, Wades are the ones I have had experiences with as well and they hold the shape too.
As a disclaimer, I do not sell CSI pads so there is no benefit for me telling you this info. I was a 5 star fan when 5 star was wells 5 star. Wells sold out a long time ago, I did purchase a 5 star after Wells left, and I hated it. It has wrinkles throughout the entire pad. I learned this year that the materials changed when Wells sold. Some say for the better, I don't. |
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Member
Posts: 41
| Thank you my husband trips steers and my mare will get put into the rotation at times so I want a multipurpose pad and so far the CSI has been on my radar. |
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Hungarian Midget Woman
Location: Midwest | I will say that right now, I am using my saddleright more than anything else. I do have a new biofit coming in the mail though. It is not the newer style (square shims), it is the old style with the round shims and a fleece lining.
I had a felt bottom one that I sold only because when I got my crown C, it was too short on the sides (it was a 30x30), so I ordered the larger 32x32 size. I used it though and it did not compress, but then again it was also the old style with the round "shims". I thought it was decent quality. My horse did not get a sore back when I was using it. |
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Tell me which pad to buy!!!!