DefinitelyDressage.com

I've been using a nice EOUS pad with some foam inside for my new mare. While I like it, with the warm weather and her body temp being on the hot side, she sweats terribly under it.

I'm looking for suggestions for a new pad that keeps the horses back cooler and offers some protection.

Thank You !

I have had foam pads actually "burn" my horse's back! I like a cotton pad. In the summer I like to use a shaped pad.

I'm going to try a Letitia Coolmax pad this year. It hasn't been warm enough to know yet.

No more foam pads for me - way too hot for horse's back. I've used thick cotton pads from this company and they last forever.

http://www.seamsright.com/saddle_pads.htm

Seen a horse blister from back on track pads, just fyi if you use them do not use them in summer.

I use cotton pads, i agree shaped pads are better when its very hot.

Thanks for the suggestions. I didn't realize that the foam core could actually be making her warmer/sweaty. The pad itself is not foam, only the interior is a squishy foam. I do have some regular dressage shaped cotton pads, but she does get pretty hot in those too.

I will also check out the seamsright site .

May have to look into the cool max ones too, and look for some reviews.

What is a "shaped pad"?

one shaped to the saddle so it covers less of the horses ribs.

http://www.dressageextensions.com/class ... Anj78P8HAQ

Hayburner wrote:
What is a "shaped pad"?

They're also called contour pads. Here's one I like from PRI and have used a lot. It's available from vtosaddlery.com

Fatcat - Oh, that looks nice. So you see very little to no part of the pad once saddled. I do have to use a sheepskin 1/2 pad on top of my regular pad, as my saddle is a bit wide on her. Wonder if that is keeping her on the warm side too, even though it's not right on her back.

Yes, you just see a thin edge of pad around the saddle. I got into contour pads from riding small short backed Arabians, the square pads would just swamp them!

I would think the sheepskin might actually help disperse heat.

Yes - I never had any issues with wool sheepskin pads and used them on long trail rides in the summer. The foam between the pad layers were the problem pads.

PRI makes great pads! Another benefit of shaped pads is that they are easier to wash in normal machines.

ah ! will keep an eye on my horse since I like to use BOT. Otherwise I like Classics 3 - they wear tough, and have enough depth. Since I don't use a half pad I prefer not to use a thin pad- the contour pads are really attractive but too thin for me.

Found a Honey Cool pad on EBay. I haven't tried it yet, but it certainly looks like it would be cool. I do worry the underside is a bit rough, I'm hoping the princess won't put up a fuss.

Josette wrote:No more foam pads for me - way too hot for horse's back. I've used thick cotton pads from this company and they last forever.

http://www.seamsright.com/saddle_pads.htm

another vote for Seams Right. They last forever and are quality pads. Plus you get to pick your own colors, including binding and piping.

Adams horse supply just had custom classics 3 pads for $60/each for the memorial day sale and free shipping. I got 3 in my colors. super happy!