What's everyone's favorite tie down & saddle pads right now? I've been out of the game for a bit and I'm just now getting back to it. My beloved tie down that I've had for 10 years is missing. I loved it, took such good care of it. Don't know the brand or anything. I'm also trying to find a good working pad. I was using a rope nose tie down previously. Open to hearing what everyone is using right now. Thanks!! 

Dont use tie downs so dont have a favorite but 5 Star saddle pads is by far the best and my favorite.

My favorite tiedown was made by my brother, Al Grieve in the 70's.

Mt favorite pad is a BIO Fit , helps fill in Dave's Thorobred -like withers, he has a hollow this pad helps fill in.

:)

This is my at home training one piece bridle with nose bumper with poll lift 

to hold it in place for my horses competing in NRCHA working cowhorse events.

 made to my request of rolled leather nose by DM TACK (not allowed at the actual event )

SADDLE PADS .. anything made with horse hair that is 1 1/2" thick and compressable 

to fit the horse and saddle. 

grrr ... this double spacing is irritating .. 

NRCHA working cow horse consists of 3 sessions ...

reining pattern, cutting and down the fence 

You can use your reins in all 3 .. it can be fast moving and hard turns you do in barrel racing .. 

take a peek ....   http://nrcha.com/nrcha-stakes/  

Just a FYI-NOTE:  NRHA has voted that any horse competing must be at least 14.0 HH .. 

Hope the other associations will follow their lead and make it 14.2HH minimum .. tired of seeing guys riding 13.0HH german shepard sized horses that are cued to stutter step, sweep left/right and crouch in the dirt .. which a taller horse can not do ...  

I don't have a barrel horse going in a tie down right now but when we rope if we use one we start with a flat leather noseband.  We have in a rolled rawhide cover rope.  

we have a collection of saddle pads.  Really like 5 stars if you're wanting wool. Also have a CSI, a saddleright, and an ESP.  They all get used defending on the horse and saddle.  Right now I mostly use a 5 Star with my Burns.  It's either 3/4 or 7/8, can't remember and there's no tag on it.

I feel like the tiedown depends on the horse and the needs of it.   I prefer a plan flat leather one, but my horse doesn't need it except to keep his head out of my lap going in the pen.   Some prefer bonnets, some prefer rope noses, some prefer metal noses.  I personally wouldn't use any of those unless absolutely necessary, and if it's necessary, I'd probably go to working my horse differently to get away from them, as they're pretty strong. 

Saddle pads 

I prefer 5 Stars all the way. 

I really like Schneider Performance Pads. I've had mine for about 2 yrs now and it's held up really well. They have some cute customization options also. When I get another I may look into the Bayou West pads that Lynn McKenzie endorses. 

As far as tie downs....depends on the horse. My older mare uses one that is super loose. She doesn't ever really hit it, but does use it for balance in the turns. She seems to like one that is a chain nose covered in rubber. 

Thanks everyone!! 

I don't use a tie down, but I love impact gel pads!

I don't use a tie down, but I love impact gel pads!