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Elite Veteran
Posts: 747
  
| So I recently purchased a new saddle custom fit to my mare and it fits like a glove. The maker told me he wouldn't got over a 1/2" pad. Do a lot of people use them? For every day riding? I just don't want to go through the expense of buying her the custom saddle, then sore her up with too thin of a pad... |
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Married to a Louie Lover
Posts: 3303
 
| Yes with well fitting saddles I have a 1/2" 5 star that I use. That's the thinnest 5 star makes aside from a liner. If your just riding or running barrels and not roping etc you'll be fine.
I would not use a 1/2" in another brand with a lesser compression rating. |
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 Expert
Posts: 3815
Location: The best kept secret in TX | The only way you're going to "Sore her up" is if you buy a thick pad. Thick pads make saddle fit tighter. Thin pads make saddles that already fit "like a glove" continue to fit like a glove.
I would get the thinnest pad they make if your saddle fits her perfect without a pad.
ETA wool is naturally shock absorbing. Nothing man made can compare to the shock absorbtion of wool. It also wicks away moisture so you will see big dry spots. It isn't because your saddle doesn't fit properly or because the pad doesn't fit properly it's because the pad is doing it's job and wicking away moisture from the horses back.
Edited by IRunOnFaith 2017-05-04 9:18 AM
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 A Somebody to Everybody
Posts: 41354
Location: Under The Big Sky Of Texas | I have a Caldwell pro max that fits awesome on my gelding and I use a 1/2 inch 5 Star, I would not trust any other pad on him. I use a BOT liner under my 5 Star to help keep it clean..  |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 747
| Southtxponygirl - 2017-05-04 7:25 AM
I have a Caldwell pro max that fits awesome on my gelding and I use a 1/2 inch 5 Star, I would not trust any other pad on him. I use a BOT liner under my 5 Star to help keep it clean..
I've learned that I can't use anything on her with contour that goes clear up over her wither, it doesn't sit right when I'm riding after a while. I have to get a flex fit 5 star |
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 Born not Made
Posts: 2930
Location: North Dakota | Burn n' Turn - 2017-05-04 9:01 AM So I recently purchased a new saddle custom fit to my mare and it fits like a glove. The maker told me he wouldn't got over a 1/2" pad. Do a lot of people use them? For every day riding? I just don't want to go through the expense of buying her the custom saddle, then sore her up with too thin of a pad...
If that saddle fits well, all you need is a 1/2 inch 5 star pad.
Pads don't sore a horse. Poor fitting saddles sore a horse.
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 1035
Location: TN | Yep! I have a 1/2" 5 star to use on my wide-made gelding with his saddle. Works perfect! |
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Red Bull Agressive
Posts: 5981
Location: North Dakota | Contrary to what some people have said, wool is not very shock absorbing at all. Actually felt is FAR from the best saddle pad material. It's definitely not the worst either though. If your saddle fits, a 1/2" pad is a very appropriate width and won't sore your horse. I would go for a thinline or saddleright pad, which actually do absorb shock over a wool pad, and are thin, but whatever you go with, a thin pad won't do any damage. |
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 Mighty Elk Slayer
Posts: 2428
Location: Lewisburg, Tennessee | IRunOnFaith - 2017-05-04 8:15 AM The only way you're going to "Sore her up" is if you buy a thick pad. Thick pads make saddle fit tighter. Thin pads make saddles that already fit "like a glove" continue to fit like a glove.
I would get the thinnest pad they make if your saddle fits her perfect without a pad.
ETA wool is naturally shock absorbing. Nothing man made can compare to the shock absorbtion of wool. It also wicks away moisture so you will see big dry spots. It isn't because your saddle doesn't fit properly or because the pad doesn't fit properly it's because the pad is doing it's job and wicking away moisture from the horses back. Preach!!! I tell people this all the time...it's like if you have a great fitting pair of boots and you then you go and put on 3 pairs of socks....those boots are not gonna fit anymore.... here's pic of my 1/2 inch 5-Star and Shiloh Contender. I ride in this pad daily and it still looks this good. 
Edited by wyodrumrunner 2017-05-04 2:20 PM
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 Accident Prone
Posts: 22277
Location: 100 miles from Nowhere, AR | IRunOnFaith - 2017-05-04 9:15 AM
ETA wool is naturally shock absorbing. Nothing man made can compare to the shock absorbtion of wool. It also wicks away moisture so you will see big dry spots. It isn't because your saddle doesn't fit properly or because the pad doesn't fit properly it's because the pad is doing it's job and wicking away moisture from the horses back.
If it was the pad wicking moisture that created the dry spots, wouldn't the entire back under the pad be dry? I'm also curious if you have ever done the hammer test with different materials? I'm not knocking 5 Star, they're great pads, but your claims, on the other hand, are a little cray.  |
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 Night Chat Leader
Posts: 13150
Location: Home....Smiling M Farms | IRunOnFaith - 2017-05-04 9:15 AM
The only way you're going to "Sore her up" is if you buy a thick pad. Thick pads make saddle fit tighter. Thin pads make saddles that already fit "like a glove" continue to fit like a glove.
I would get the thinnest pad they make if your saddle fits her perfect without a pad.
ETA wool is naturally shock absorbing. Nothing man made can compare to the shock absorbtion of wool. It also wicks away moisture so you will see big dry spots. It isn't because your saddle doesn't fit properly or because the pad doesn't fit properly it's because the pad is doing it's job and wicking away moisture from the horses back.
Ditto this, the only people who need big thick pads, IMO, are ropers.
I use saddlerite pads on EVERYTHING. Unless I'm working cows. |
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Expert
Posts: 3815
Location: The best kept secret in TX | Three 4 Luck - 2017-05-04 3:32 PM IRunOnFaith - 2017-05-04 9:15 AM
ETA wool is naturally shock absorbing. Nothing man made can compare to the shock absorbtion of wool. It also wicks away moisture so you will see big dry spots. It isn't because your saddle doesn't fit properly or because the pad doesn't fit properly it's because the pad is doing it's job and wicking away moisture from the horses back. If it was the pad wicking moisture that created the dry spots, wouldn't the entire back under the pad be dry? I'm also curious if you have ever done the hammer test with different materials? I'm not knocking 5 Star, they're great pads, but your claims, on the other hand, are a little cray.
To each their own. |
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Accident Prone
Posts: 22277
Location: 100 miles from Nowhere, AR | Seriously though, can you logically explain that about the dry spots? |
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 My Heart Be Happy
Posts: 9159
Location: Arkansas | Bump |
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Veteran
Posts: 107
| cavyrunsbarrels - 2017-05-04 10:59 AM
Contrary to what some people have said, wool is not very shock absorbing at all. Actually felt is FAR from the best saddle pad material. It's definitely not the worst either though. If your saddle fits, a 1/2" pad is a very appropriate width and won't sore your horse. I would go for a thinline or saddleright pad, which actually do absorb shock over a wool pad, and are thin, but whatever you go with, a thin pad won't do any damage.
Do you prefer Thinline or SaddleRight?? |
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 Money Eating Baggage Owner
Posts: 9586
Location: Phoenix | I would have no qualms about buying a 1/2" 5 Star. I was surprised at how "cushiony" my 7/8" pad was (I was used to 1" pads). I've used 5 Star pads for almost 10 years and my horse has yet to have a sore back. Vet palpated him 6 mos ago and said his slight reactions (if you could even call them that) were nothing in his eyes. |
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Expert
Posts: 3815
Location: The best kept secret in TX | Three 4 Luck - 2017-05-04 5:38 PM Seriously though, can you logically explain that about the dry spots?
Here is a link explaining FAQs about 5 Star pads. https://www.5starequineproducts.com/about-us/faqs
If you scroll you will find the section on how their particular pads cool a horses back... By wicking away moisture.
If moisture is being soaked up by the pad, parts of the horses back will be dry.
Here is another link for you to read explaining dry spots and wool pads.
https://www.5starequineproducts.com/articles/dry-spots |
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Expert
Posts: 3815
Location: The best kept secret in TX | cavyrunsbarrels - 2017-05-04 10:59 AM Contrary to what some people have said, wool is not very shock absorbing at all. Actually felt is FAR from the best saddle pad material. It's definitely not the worst either though. If your saddle fits, a 1/2" pad is a very appropriate width and won't sore your horse. I would go for a thinline or saddleright pad, which actually do absorb shock over a wool pad, and are thin, but whatever you go with, a thin pad won't do any damage.
I'll just leave this here....
" The compression ratio of 5 Star 100% Pure Virgin Wool Felt is 6.0 to 7.0 PSI. This means that it protects against pressure points at a rate of 6 to 7 pounds per square inch." |
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