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 Scorpions R Us
Posts: 9586
   
Location: So. Cali. | So I know the board's hand down favorite is the 5 star, which I do plan to invest in, but I'm also considering an Impact Gel Pad. Would love to hear experiences and input!
Edited by Three*C*Champs 2013-12-10 10:25 AM
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Hungarian Midget Woman
Location: Midwest | My friend likes hers with her bob marshall.
I actually really like the saddlerights as well if you are looking for something stiffer than a 5 star |
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Veteran
Posts: 294
| Glad you posted this because I'm curious too. |
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Cat Collector
Posts: 1430
| I use them and love them, the gel does not fold or freeze altough some people say it does, its -40 here last week and the gel was just fine. We went to a demonstration they had, they took out a very well used Impact Gel Pad and cut it open and the gel was just like new. I like to use the 3/4 pads with the gel, personal preference dont ask why lol |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 307
Location: Florida | I know I have some friends that don't like them on their particular horses; some say the gel flattens out and gets hard. I used impact gel for a long time and never had an issue on any horse I rode, I switched to a Best Ever which I love but I'm also investing in a 5 Star soon after all the good things I hear :) |
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| I've had my impact gel for.... gaa 10 years now! love it! Never had any problems with it. I've been too a demonstration when they take the impact gel put a m&m under the gel and hammer the top and i hit it HARD!! m&m was in perfect condition. I've had a saddleright didnt care for it.. sold it. |
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 Uh....never mind
Posts: 2696
Location: Midwest Farmer's Daughter: Central Illinois | The only experience I have had is with my old mare - she hated it & wouldn't break into a lope with one on. I have used 5Stars ever since. |
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 623
Location: /ARKANSAS | I am not using mine anymore because it is heavy and I ride with a flexible tree. |
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 Expert
Posts: 2604
Location: Texas | Please don't flame me... but I have never understoond the logic behind the impact gel. I could possibly see it for a rope horse or a sport that takes a sudden jerk or an impact. But barrel saddles give continues pressure, not sudden impact pressure (i.e. sudden hits like with a hammer). My logic tells me that continuous pressure would move the gel out from under that pressure. I would like to see the impact gel test done under constant pressure and see how it measures up. Again... JMHO! |
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  Northern Chocolate Queen
Posts: 16576
Location: ND | I never ride my impact gel, don't really care for it. It is so heavy & several of my horse got to acting sore backed with it on. But my dad & brother use & love them. |
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| TBone - 2013-12-10 11:13 AM Please don't flame me... but I have never understoond the logic behind the impact gel. I could possibly see it for a rope horse or a sport that takes a sudden jerk or an impact. But barrel saddles give continues pressure, not sudden impact pressure (i.e. sudden hits like with a hammer). My logic tells me that continuous pressure would move the gel out from under that pressure. I would like to see the impact gel test done under constant pressure and see how it measures up. Again... JMHO!
The Gel is thick/firm so it doesn't flow or move out from continous pressure like u think it would. I even put the m&m on the ground and stood on the gel and the m&m did not crack after the continous pressure. |
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Expert
Posts: 3147
| I've ridden my impact gel pad on three horses. First one was fine with it. Second one would kick out with it-put a different pad on and he was fine. The third one rode like a screw ball-wouldn't catch/stay on her leads, rode with her head in the air-chargy. I put another pad on her-problem solved. |
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 Expert
Posts: 2041
Location: home for the winter...what a dumb idea | I love mine have had it for 5 years. Rode more miles in a month then most do in a year the pad is great never a sore horse. |
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 Leggs
Posts: 4680
Location: lexington KY | I love mine, it has held up great! My horses seem to like it. I did just order a 5 star since they had a great Black Friday special and I have been wanting to try one. |
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The Advice Guru
Posts: 6419
| I haven't bought into the impact gel as the laws of physics contradict what impact gel is saying.
When a force is excerted, the energy has to go somewhere. The gel doesn't absorb the energy, as if it did scientists would be looking at this for an alternate energy source. So the energy has to go somewhere, the horse or you. Since energy generally travels down that excess energy from the impact is going into the horse.
I have also heard some people have torn the pads apart and have seen at the pressure points on the shoulders, there is no gel left, so this is telling me thst the energy is also breaking down the gel.
Doing the csi pressure test with the impact gel, I can still feel the pressure I am excreting on the hammer, it doesn't dissipate or radiate anywhere, so an ill fitting saddle the pad would localize the pressure points and cause soreness.
With the csi pad with the pressure test I can feel the pressure dissipate throughout my entire hand not the 1/2 inch diameter of the hammer, this tells me my horse would have a better chance of not developing pressure points with a csi vs an impact gel |
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 Expert
Posts: 3534
Location: Stuck in a cubicle having tropical thoughts | I bought an Impact Gel brand new, back in 2006/2007, I used it for maybe a season or two. My mom has used it off and on since then. I paid something like $180 for it, which at the time was the most expensive pad ever bought for my family. I will never buy another. If I won one, I'd sell it or give it away. I've since then bought a used Tod Slone wool and a used Slash W wool pad that I've used on three different horses and I LOVE them. They are plain Grey and I get compliments and questions about them all the time.
I've actually gotten to see and touch the 5stars in person at QH Congress the last two years and now I know what all the fuss is about.
I did use a CorrecTor for a short time while I was in saddle transition and my favorite saddle wasn't fitting my favorite horse. I now have a saddle that fits and use the Wool Tod Slone with the new saddle and the CorrecTor sits in our extra bed room. I wouldn't hesitate to use the CorrecTor again if I was having a saddle fit issue. |
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 It Goes On
Posts: 2262
Location: Muskogee, OK | Love mine!! I have literally had it for about 8 years now and it is excellent condition. Great quality, holds up well and keeps my horse feeling good.
I wouldn't hesitate to buy another  |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 349
| I use my impact gel and a best ever pad love them both. Haven't dished out the money for a 5 star yet.
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The Advice Guru
Posts: 6419
| barrelracingchick16 - 2013-12-10 10:58 PM
Love mine!! I have literally had it for about 8 years now and it is excellent condition.  Great quality, holds up well and keeps my horse feeling good.
   I wouldn't hesitate to buy another  Â
This is not to be taken rude, but how do you know the gel is still in excellent condition, is there any way to check the gel without tearing the pad apart. |
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 More bootie than waist!
Posts: 18425
Location: Riding Crackhead. | I hated the gel pads I had. Real heavy, horses seemed to be back sore and I had slipping issues. |
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