OT - Saddle Riser Pad - Gelee-fish

[cutiepiepmu]

Has anyone used any of the Geleez pads - specifically the Gelee-Fish pad? They look very interesting to me because of the design and seem to give better shock protection than the wool/fleece pads or the riser pads.

I need to fit malibu with a shim/shock pad and these really sparked my interest - but, can't find any feed back on them. Since they are rather spendy - figured I would ask here to see if anyone has tried them at all - OR if you have another riser pad with gel inserts that you like alot. I have several pads - including a Wintec riser and a Merino wool riser/half pad - but she is fairly sensitive over her whithers/shoulder area and want to give a tad more protection there - but,the saddle won't fit properly like it does now if we add the bulk.

THANKS!!!

Sara

[halfwayhome]

I know a friend of mine got a really nice and expensive gel withers pad for a Tb we rescued who had upstanding withers that had become sore due to previous person's ill-fitting saddle and way they mounted. The horse had become very sour on someone getting on. New technique and this pad made him realize that not all saddles/people caused pain and he became totally fine. She is sold on them.

[beckybee]

Have you looked at a skito equalizer pad? www.skito.net/equalizer_product_info.htm

They are made from memory foam (tempurpedic) with a wool cover and are extremely low profile. I love how they just "melt" on to the horse. I think they were originally designed for use with treeless saddles due to their excellent weight distribution abilities, but are great for treed as well.

You have to buy through a dealer, but you can work out what you need with Skito ([e-mail]). There is a lot they can do to customize based in saddle/horse/rider.

[cutiepiepmu]

I did look at those - but I actually need a front riser for malibu, not just protection. That was why I was looking at the gelee-pads. I am interested in the memory foam for Kadin though, but need to get the saddle first

Sara

[beckybee]

Why do you need a front riser? (sorry for my ignorance

Skito has shims, too, btw

[cutiepiepmu]

Well - long story made short Malibu is still developing. Right now I am riding her in a wintec AP saddle because ordering a custom saddle till she is done growing seems silly BUT - Right now she is out of shape, so the hollows above her shoulders are not carrying the mass I figure that they will. It causes the saddle to sit a bit low and she is also very sensitive throughout her back. THAT being said - once we order a custom saddle when she is done growing or have her fitted for a saddle she should be fine. BUT, in the mean time I am making this one work while she is learning and developing(well that and the fact that we just ordered a saddle for Kadin which was NOT cheap!)

I use shim pads fairly regularly to make sure that the saddles don't press on tender areas

Sara

[beckybee]

Thanks for the info! I have a couple hard to fit horses, so I'm always interested in how people make adjustments. I don't know why, but I am afraid of layering up multiple pads. Probably because I don't know what to do without making the saddle fit worse.

Oh, Skito has shims, btw. They can't lift the front of the saddle for wither clearance, but can fill hollows, bridging, etc.

I wish I had found my Trekker saddle a year ago - it would have saved me buying about 3 saddles and 4 pads! This saddle can adjust to fit almost any horse (except someone like Kadin )! Fortunately I was able to afford it with the proceeds from selling everything else.

[cutiepiepmu]

A good saddle is like finding a bra that actually fits. You treasure it!!! For kadin I ended up getting a Duett Tango saddle - we are having to custom order to get it wide enough though. I have a feeling it is not going to work for malibu at all which is a bummer. She has a whithers and is not nearly as wide through the shoulders and chest as kadin. Of course, this isn't particularly a BAd thing lol.

i do'nt mind layering as long as things don't bunch up, pinch or slide around. I always use a thin non-slip pad with any saddle. Helps to keep it from rolling and rubbing.

Sara