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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 622
 
Location: Paducah, Ky | CSI or 5 Star??
I will have to say I am a long time 5 Star user and the last time I switched pads I regretted it immensely but CSI has caught my attention I was wondering if anyone had used both and how they felt they compared not only in function but in durability I have seen so many other pads that fall apart in a years time and I don't want something like that. |
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Expert
Posts: 2531
 
Location: WI | Depends on the horse, I like both. I have a gelding with high withers and even with the cutout on the 5 Star, it would still rub him. The CSI stays up and off his withers. I've only had it for a year, but it is wearing very well. I use a BOT liner underneath it though. |
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 690
Location: Georgia | I just sold my CSI and bought my first 5 star. I dont think ill ever look back. CSI was not for me and was VERY expensive when I bought it |
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Veteran
Posts: 174
Location: Wisconsin | I always used 5 star. Bought a CSI pad. Sold it and went back to my 5 star. |
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 1079
Location: MN | I think it really depends on the horse. If you have an ill fitting saddle, I think CSI's are great. Ive personally seen tremendous results on a friends horse who just couldnt build a topline. 3 months later and his withers and back have plumped up nicely and basically all back soreness is gone! |
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Married to a Louie Lover
Posts: 3303
| Depends on the horse and saddle combo for sure.
I don't think you can beat a 5 star on a well fitted saddle and a well muscled horse.
I have a CSI I keep on hand when I have saddle fit issues, or a new horse come in that I know will fill out and change shape. I use the CSI until we can get a better fitting saddle or they grow more and change shape so I'm not constantly buying new saddles. I've not cared for the CSI pads on most of my well muscled horses with well fitted saddles though.
Truth be told the only time my little horse has bucked me off was with the CSI pad because my saddle rolled off around the 3rd barrel. Snug but not cutting him in half cinch, just like with my 5 star and right over we went when he tossed me to the outside. That experience makes me very hesitant to actually make runs with the CSI. Personal experience of course, I know a lot of girls who love them. |
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 A Somebody to Everybody
Posts: 41354
Location: Under The Big Sky Of Texas | I thought about a CSI almost bought one as I have a friend that has them on hand and is a dealer, but I just could not get over how stiff and hard they were, it just did not form to my horses back like I want my pads to. I am a 5 star fan, but was thinking a CSI, but after playing with one, I thought I better not... But I did order another 5 Star, I love my 5 Stars, I needed another pad like I need another hole in my head, lol, but I wanted one to match my saddle, so this is my Christmas to me,This new 5 Star that I ordered is custom with my brand and the wear leathers will match the colors on my saddle, as all my 5 Stars are custom.,
Edited by Southtxponygirl 2016-12-09 2:32 PM
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The Advice Guru
Posts: 6419
| Csi pads are very stiff brand new, and it takes a year or so to break in.
All I use is csi pads, my favorite one is almost as old as the company itself. The liner has been replaced once, the pad is still in wonderful shape, the flex plate is still intact.
I use mine riding all day in the mountains, barrel racing, etc and have never had issues.
Some people say they are too thick, the liners come in different thicknesses 1/4 to 1" and if you want thinner they have the merino wool liner but these are 100 extra then the felt liner.
Csi also came out with a felt pad with a fleece liner, I seen these in Vegas, I found these compress a little more then the felt, but all the impact is absorbed or dispersed through the flex plate.
If you are contemplating on purchasing one buy used, there is a Facebook page for used csi pads.
I don't sell csi pads, and have nothing to profit from it. |
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Location: Illinois | I've had just about every saddle pad. Will always use 5 star. |
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 Straight Shooter
Posts: 5725
Location: SW North Dakota | This is good reading, thank you. I've used exclusively saddlerights for the last 20 years- we probably own 10 of them, and I'm still a big fan. I've tried other brands, but keep going back to SRs.
My son is a calf roper and team roper. He wanted to try a 5 Star on his bulky built calf horse. My friend is a dealer and recommended 1 1/8". This seems SOOO thick on a big horse with a saddle that fits great. I just got the tracking number and it should be here next week, as a Christmas gift.
My daughter has the mare that I've mentioned on some "saddles for wide backed horses" threads. She has decent withers and a really broad back. Daughter wants to try a CSI pad on her. We have a Coats saddle that fits her about 80% right. Just bought a Marty Byrd that seems to sit on her back almost perfectly, but ruffles her hair backward after riding/sweat. The ruffled hair is a red flag, but the MB saddle sits so well, I have a hard time believing it doesn't fit. I found a nearly new CSI on the FB page that Cheryl mentioned. It should be here next week, too.
What are your thoughts on the paragraphs above? I'm anxious to see how the 2 pads work compared to my beloved Saddlerights! |
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Location: in the ozone | I too decided to try a CSI and didn't take long to sell it & back to my 5 Stars. |
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CSI VS. 5 Star Saddle pads