Saddle Pad

Gel Saddle Pad

Saddle Pad Types

• All Purpose Saddle Pad
• Black Saddle Pad
• Dressage Saddle Pad
• Endurance Saddle Pad
• English Saddle Pad
• Equestrian Saddle Pad
• Felt Saddle Pad

• Fleece Saddle Pad
• Gel Saddle Pad
• Horse Saddle Pad
• Saddle Pad Carrier
• Saddle Pad Covers
• Saddle Pad Liners
• Saddle Pad Shims

• Saddle Pad Size
• Sheepskin Saddle Pad
• SMx Saddle Pad
• Supracor Saddle Pad
• Toklat Saddle Pad
• Western Saddle Pad
• Wool Saddle Pad

The gel saddle pad can be a good choice for horses with back problems and for riders who particularly want to avoid back problems with their horse. If you're looking for new pads and fall into one of these categories, you should look into one of these pads. While you'll still want to look at it and make sure it will work with all of your riding equipment before you buy it, there are some good reasons to consider buying one.

Before you purchase any riding equipment, make sure that you have done your research and educated yourself about what is available, what could work with your tack and setup, and what your horse might need. That way, you can make your purchase resting in the knowledge that you made a good choice for you and your mount.

Pros of a Gel Saddle Pad

There are several great reasons for purchasing a gel saddle pad. While they may not all apply to you and your horse, it's a good idea to acquaint yourself with them in case they do bear on your situation.

The gel saddle pad is known for alleviating pressure on a horse's back by absorbing it. Because of the consistency of the gel, shock and pressure is not sent straight through the horse into the rider or the other way around. Instead, the gel is able to absorb some of the impact, thus lessening the impact to both horse and rider.

This makes the gel saddle pad a good option for horses with certain types of chronically sore backs. However, it's important to note that equine injuries can be highly nuanced, so you should always check with your veterinarian before you purchase any equipment designed to alleviate pain that your horse is experiencing. If you're wondering about this pad, be sure to ask your vet specifically about it and get his take before purchasing.

The shock absorbency of the gel saddle pad also makes it a good choice for riders concerned about the ongoing health of their horse's back. If you have some reason to believe that the impact of repeated rides could harm your horse eventually, riding with the support of gel in your padding could keep this from happening.

A gel saddle pad can also make riding more comfortable for the equestrian. If you often find yourself sore after hours in the saddle, or if you plan to spend several days in a row riding consistently, the material in the saddle pad might help you experience less pain, too. While this type of padding will help with injuries due to repeated impact with the saddle, it will not help with injuries due to rubbing, chafing, or anything else.

While these pads will not make poorly fitted saddle work on a particular horse and will not make a damaged or poorly made saddle fit any horse, a good quality saddle that is fitted with one of these pads will sometimes fit better than that same saddle with a different kind of padding. When properly fitted, these pads allow saddles to distribute shock over the whole of the horse's back, rather than forcing him to bear it all in one place.

Cons of a Gel Saddle Pad

While a gel saddle pad is a good idea for many riders, it is not the perfect option for everyone. There are good reasons to consider purchasing a pad of another sort if certain conditions prevail.

The cost of the gel saddle pad is not in its favor. These pads tend to be more expensive than most of the other types. If your saddle is specially fitted with one of these, you will need to make sure that you keep a good quality gel pad under it at all times. Since the absorbent powers of the gel will start to break down after a while, this means that you could end up purchasing several of these expensive pads over the lifetime of your equipment.

In addition, the gel saddle pad does not help every horse. In fact, the average animal does not need this piece of equipment to stay healthy and move easily. While the pad does somewhat lower the risk of back injury to any horse, the truth is that the majority of animals can be ridden for years without ever suffering a back problem, even without the gel pad. Unless there is a compelling reason to spend this much on a particular pad, you might want to consider something else.

The weight of these pads can also be an issue. Because of the density of the gel required to achieve the desired results, these pads are heavier than most other kinds. While they aren't usually heavier enough to cause problems for the horse, this is an added weight that he must carry. In addition, this can make them harder to transport, store, and use, particularly if the rider has back issues of any kind.

Finally, some riders question whether the gel saddle pad and its ability to absorb shock will actually help a horse's back. These people tend to question where the shock ends up. They wonder if it has to be dispersed into either the horse's back or the saddle and, therefore, the rider. If this happens, there's some question as to whether it does any good at all. While some horses have demonstrated good results from using these pads, it's worthwhile to take this possible issue into consideration before making a purchase.

The Gel Saddle Pad vs. The Others

The gel saddle pad is different from most other pads in that it is a regular pad with gel either injected into specially made pockets or with gel inserts that the rider can place under velcro flaps as he deems necessary. While this form doesn't make much of a difference in the pad's use, many riders have been confused by the form even though the equipment works fine.

Of the standard types of padding out there, this one is probably the most shock absorbent. If that is an issue for you, this could be a good choice. However, you may need to use this piece of equipment along with another pad, as the layer around the insert is not always as good at wicking sweat and keeping your horse dry as some other types of pads. Finally, this piece of equipment is usually more expensive than the other types available. Unless you have a particular reason to use it over other types, there probably isn't reason to spend so much money.

Is the gel saddle pad right for you? Only you can evaluate your situation and determine whether or not you think it will be right for you and your horse. At this point, you should have the information necessary to ask the right questions of your trainers, other riders, and your vet to help you in your decision. If you do choose to purchase one of these products, know that you have made an informed choice and done everything you can for you and your horse.