My lovely appaloosa mare Leggs and i enjoy rambling round the countryside (hacks of 10-20 miles)and a few long distance rides each year. Leggs current saddle pad is a bit too long rubbing slightly over her lumba spine/loin area.
The problem is that we live in the uk and go western. Well Leggs is western and has been a great teacher so now we amble along happily understanding each other.
The point is that there are no western saddlers anywhere nearby to go and explore suitable saddle pads. Instead i've done some research online and come up with two possible options and wanted to see if any of you have experience of them.
I am considering the Cavallo Western All Purpose - Performance Enhanced and the Horsedream Products 30mm pile merino lambskin western pad with a twill outer. I think the outer is a bit like a normal english numbna.
I hope anyone with a Cavallo saddle pad could let me know what you think of it's performance as to import one to the UK costs half as much again on the usual price - very expensive! Or if you use a merino wool pad without all the extras like felt and woven exterior how does it work?
I want Leggs to be as comfortable and happy as possible so if you've got any comments on the above or even another saddle pad idea it would be good to hear.
Seasons Greetings to you all
Liz n Leggs
Hi Liz n Leggs,
I have no experience with these things, and I do not own a horse. But you can also order the All Purpose Cavallo Gel Saddle Pad in the UK. Here is the link:
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http://www.derbyhouse.co.uk/Brand/Shop+by+Brand/Brands+A+to+E/Cavallo+-+Equine/Cavallo+Full+Monty+Saddle+Pad_450-0167.htm
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If you are interested in others click here:
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http://www.derbyhouse.co.uk/Brand/Shop+by+Brand/Brands+A+to+E/Cavallo+-+Equine/list.htm
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Good luck!
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Best wishes from Hamburg, Germany
Jasmin
Liz n Leggs
The cost of the Cavallo pad is not too much more than a comprable saddle pad. My saddle pad for my western saddle have a cutout for the withers and because my horse is a gaited horse he need his withers and shoulder area free. My Peruvian Paso saddle uses a pad that is made from cotton and wool. It is more of a blanket type pad but offers plenty of freedom for my horses shoulders. Both pads cost about the same as a Cavallo pad.
Also if you are worried that the pad may be rubbing your horse in the loin area Cavallo also makes a pad for barrel racing which is more compact and is shaped like a western saddle. If I were doing long rides I think that I would prefer the barrel racing pad since all pad need to do is help keep the saddle from rubbing and pinching the horse.
Cheers
Hi Liz and Leggs,
Why don't you wait for the next couple of lessons, I think Monty had a Cavallo-pad in prototype, when the videos were made, so they might be in production right now.
Before you decide on this very important topic of horsecare, see what the "saddlefitting"videos can add to your knowledge.
I remember a special offer by Cavallo for Equus Uni students last year around the holidays, could be something coming after these lessons.
Let us know where this journey takes you,
Miriam
Miriam
Good idea!
I am having difficulty paying attention to the gentlemen that is showing how to fit a saddle. It is almost like he thinks he is talking to a bunch of 5 year olds. Almost turned it off, buy then I probably would miss something important. Of all the hundreds of Monty's videos that I have watched the saddle fitting series is not up to Monty's standards. My opinion anyway
Cheers
I feel very interested in the saddle fitter for two reasons. #1 my husband was in ICU for 4 1/2 weeks and developed no bedsores because of the saddle fitter and his developements in the bed sore issues. He passed away but not because of bed sores. #2 No one has ever taught me about fitting a saddle or the padding that should go with it. I just put a saddle and pad on any horse I ever rode. I first learned about pads from Monty in 2009, in his Special Training Class, he introduced us to Cavello pads and was talking about the changes he would like to see for English and Western saddles. I have friends who have custom made 5,000.00 saddles and fitting the horse was never talked about. That means you have to pad it to fit your horse. They are both important and nobody ever gave me enough information to make a decision until Monty. He also introduced me to the farrier of a lifetime. No own goes to ground zero and helps champions and beginners like Monty. He really has made the world better for horses, and people too. Mostly me.
Wow thank you all for your wonderful support.
Jasmin thank you for pointing me to Derby House - they do have the Cavallo pads at the normal prices. Unfortunately not the one I was after but i will get in touch with them. Dennis like you I did consider the barrel pad especially as Leggs (I Dance For Cash - in case anyone remembers her) was a barrel horse in America during her younger years. But i am a bit worried that the fit may not be correct as the back of the pad is so narrow from side to side that it does not cover the the whole of the skirt areas even though she has a indiviual fitted custom made barrel saddle.
Miriam, sadly the Cavallo offer which is actually half price if anyone in the States is interested, does not extend outside North America as they do not ship abroad - hence my initial importing problem.
Ms Smith I too have have been watching the saddle fitting lessons as i have 0nly a very little understanding about the fitting expected but am still very much in the dark. I thnk the next one is today so will check in on that. And I do believe that a saddle does not always fit forever.
Will let you know what happens and how Leggs feels.
Thanks
Liz
Hi Dennis,
I agree with you about this man.
Monty has had a lot of guest speakers on his videos but this fellow talks right over Monty as is he is not there.
I noticed how Monty reacts to him though and it makes me very proud of him.
His body language, position of arms and stance all show that Monty is a genteleman.
The information is valid, I just wish it were given by someone else.
There just seems to be no respect for ones' elders, these days.
I have been to a saddle fitting class and the presentation was very informative and to the point. Questions were answered in a curtious fashion.
The company is out of Scottland and the owners really know their business.
My opinion,
Ronda
I have a Cavallo pad that I bought to stop Natasha's saddle from sliding forward, so it is built up at the withers, but I could never use it because the saddle wasn't nearly wide enough to allow for the thickness of the pad.
If anyone here is interested, I am willing to part with it for a reasonable cost + shipping as it isn't used at all.
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Liz,
Do you have any friends in the US who can help you? I bought the pad and had it shipped to a friend in Ohio, who shipped it on to me.
Hi,
After deliberating over the Cavallo saddle pad, I decided to purchase one and wanted to recommend
www.horseand more.co.uk. The service I received was most knowledgeable and efficient,( arriving within 24 hours !) the pad was very competively priced too. They appear to have a lot of high quality products for sale. I have yet to test, however the quality workmanship is clear to see in the product.
Debbie
Hey Dennis those of us with very little technology knowledge appreciate his explanation and he seems a little nervous.I do enjoy reading your comments.
cherosnowball
The last video on saddle fitting was so much better and I agree he did seem a little stressed,
Cheers
Hi,
I have purchased a cavallo english style saddle pad and have been impressed with it so far!!!
A question however to anyone with one;
What is the best way of caring/ cleaning it? The merino wool obviously absorbs sweat and inevitable dust, but I am concerned that combing/ brushing it, like I do to a sheepskin numnah, may damage it. I haven't come across any aftercare instructions, but will email Cavallo themselves and shall pass on any relevant info.
Deb
Happy New Year Everyone,
Have you seen Monty's new video question and answer section on you tube - it's all about saddle pads! Thank you again Monty it's ab fab.
I am definitely getting a Cavallo Performance Enhanced pad. Either the Western All Purpose or Barrel. Have tried a local supplier - very expensive, Derby House twice but as the performance enhanced pads are not stock items the query goes to the purchasing team who have not replied, before or after Christmas. Most disappointing. Just been in touch with horse and more and waiting on their quote - thanks for the tip Debbie.
I have a western 100% merino wool girth and soak it for half and hour in wool detergent then put in in the washing machine on a wool cycle 30 degrees only using water. It comes up great every time. But best check with Cavallo just in case.
Happy riding all
Liz n Leggs
Hello again,
Cavallo pads in the UK.
The good news is you can get the standard range of English and Western pads at sensible prices from Derby House or even better prices at Horse and More.
The bad news is you can't get any of the Performance Enhanced ranges in the UK.
John from Horse and More explained the problem. Cavallo only export from Canada to the UK via one wholesaler. Cavallo will only deal in large quantity orders and all previous requests for one off orders have been refused - even via the wholesaler.
Leggs and I do cover a whole lot of miles and hours out and about. We just found out that we won the 2011 Appaloosa Horse Club UK trail riding saddle log award championship. We really do need the Performance Enhanced pads.
So i am going to contact Cavallo directly to explain my situation and see if they can help. I'll copy Monty in as well.
Want to get it all sorted asap as we're doing a sponsored ride in April to raise money for the Air Ambulance service - in case any of us should ever need it! But we're upping our work now in preparation.
Watch this space.....
Liz and Leggs
Congratulations Liz on yours and Leggs achievement!
Horse and more explained to me that the PE pads were thicker, I understand that your needs are different to mine. I thought that they were able to supply me either however.
Re care, thanks for your feedback. Cavallo emailed me and suggested that the saddle pad was hosed/ sponged/ brushed on the merino wool side and left to dry. They said NOT to store it underneath the saddle or it would compromise the memory foam.
Deb
Thanks Deb,
Messages are now away to Cavallo so have to wait and see ....
In the meantime I think I will get the merino wool pad from Horse Dream as could use Cavallo pad on top to adjust pressure but we need something now before anything nasty happens.
Will let you all know what happens
Liz