I want to hear the good, the bad & the ugly!

I think I need to change pads on a horse...

I personally have no experience with them. But my husband who ropes refuses to use them or have one in our tackroom! He said he tried one and it sored up 2 of his horses badly. He said never again. I ended up with one given to me, he turned around and gave it away to someone else lol! So I just steer clear of them. But I know plenty of people that use and like them, so I guess it just comes down to personal preference and the horse. 

Same thing happened to me, I borrowed one from a friend for a 3 day weekend when I hauled with her but forgot my saddle pad and it sored up my horse. I know many people that use them with no problems though.

I have tried them and wasn't impressed. Not any better than a 5 star, esp, and other good pads out there... my choice is csi pads second choice esp. to me they felt hot. i tried the lite style still felt hot but better... sold them all...

Classic Equine Zone pads are made similar, and I have one of them too. Love them both for my situations. I have an IG for my 'normal' backed horse. No shark fin withers, not too round, just what I'd call a normal back. 3/4". Saddle fits fine. We have absolutely no issues out if it and it does help the saddle from rolling. Used it on my older horse as well who is a touch rounder. 

Is it the pad for EVERY use? I don't think so, like if you need a built up pad, then get a more built up pad.  

I had one, liked it on one horse, was okay on another, and wasn't fond on the third horse. The one I liked it on I had a flex tree saddle on that horse, and between the pad and the tree it seems like I had a perfect fit. The second horse I rode it with was in a treed saddle and it was fine. The third horse where the wither thing was on it along with the cinch cut out was in the wrong place for him and I could never get anything to fit quite right. In the pads defense, that horse has tall, kind of long withers and I am using a built up pad on him. Never had it make one sore, but I suppose anything is possible. 

You know I use them and like them.. But with every pad some work on some horses/saddles and some dont.  But I like my IG on all my horses so far and I havent had any back soreness issues that I didnt already have or are caused from other soundness issues.  I dont think I'll ever find a great saddle/pad combo for my Flojo mare...ugh  But with the IG pad my saddle sits better on her back then with the CSI (too thick) or 5 star (not thick enough). Its like Goldilocks over here lol

You have to keep your pads clean.  When any pad gets those hard sweat/hair spots that will sore your horse up fast no matter how good the fit is.