which saddle pad for the SBS?

[dalesvic]

I have read that quite a few people can mount from the ground without their SBS slipping- and just wondered what saddlepad/ numnah they use underneath?

My saddle does slip a variable amount when mounting, and although this doesn't bother me really as it rarely slips when I'm on I would prefer it not to. The least it has slipped is when I've not used a numnah at all as I recall, but for everyday use I prefer to have one to help absorb any sweat and to protect the saddle I suppose.

I tried a cotton one but that was a total disaster!! Have opted for 'wool' ones and this seems to be a nice compromise- I used an Impakt pad for a while but this made her sweaty and would still shoot out at the back after a fast stretch as you couldn't attach it to the saddle. That seems to be another problem- they all slip backwards...

If anyone could offer any advice/views that would be great

[flintfootfilly]

Vicky

I'm not using my SBS much at the moment, but the chami leather underneath the saddle (Like they use for race saddles) seemed to work a treat. Wet it thoroughly and wring out just before placing under the sadddle like a numnah. Could mount from the ground with no saddle movement at all. The chami does look grotty fairly soon (hairy and greasey) but is easy enough to wash.

I got my chami from a race horse suppliers in East Yorkshire, probably called something like White Rose Saddlery I think, but some car accessory shops sell xxl chami's that are pretty much the same. You just have to cut them to shape (if you don't want odd shaped edges around the saddle).

Sarah

[dalesvic]

Thanks Sarah- I did get one and tried it but it seemed to slip around and I gave up and then forgot about it- maybe I should give it another go. One thing I wondered about when I used it was do you have to pull it up into the gullet like you would with a numnah? Maybe mine wasn't very good quality though- bought it off a stall at Badminton.

[flintfootfilly]

I did try to pull mine up into the gullet a bit, though it's pretty stretchy when wet so I'm not sure that that was really necessary. Maybe your chami wasn't wet enough? Mine feels pretty slippery to the touch when dry, but it becomes almost impossible to run my hands over it when wet..... which seemed to make sense in terms of needing it wet to "grip" the fur and the saddle and hold the saddle in place.

Sarah

[harveydales]

Sarah - presumabley you used the chami direct on the back and no additional numnah? Harvey's Fhoenix hasn't slipped with me but am thinking of trying a chami anyway for when the girls ride Harvs - just to give me greater peace of mind. What size did you order from White Rose?

[juliansteve]

We've recently got a N.E.W. non slip numnah. It is the best we've ever had and believe me we've had lots! It was £27.95 and well worth it - goes in the washer no problem at 30 degrees.

[flintfootfilly]

Pam

I got the largest one they stock. There was very little difference pricewise, and I thought better too large than too small. As it worked out, it was just about right.

Sarah

[dalesvic]

Thanks Sarah- maybe it wasn't wet enough. I'll give it another go when I get home if I can find it!!

Thanks for letting me know about the N.E.W. numnah- I'll check it out. Certainly doesn't break the bank anyway so if it goes wrong I won't mind adding it to the reject pile too much! lol
Hopefully it would live up to expectation though of course:) cheers

[greydales]

That's interesting about the Impakt, as it's the only pad so far that has worked for me.

The N.E.W does get some good reports but I've not tried one (yet . I got myself an Impakt pad as everything seemed to slip on Saturn, as he is not very wide but quite round.

I have tried a Barnsby Grip Pad which wasn't cheap but that ended up slipping, so did a hi-wither cotton numnah and a sheepskin half pad. So far the Impakt is by far the best (and cheapest!).

[juliansteve]

We had an Impact pad but found it a bit thick and pulled tight across the withers (probably Cobwebs' bulk!). The N.E.W. is a lot slimmer and stay up in the gullet.

[dalesvic]

The impakt worked for us and definately helped the saddle stop slipping- the only things I didn't like were the fact it did pull a bit tight across the wither like Julia says, mainly the fact it made Sammy sweat under the saddle a lot plus when we had long canter stretches it would slip half way under the saddle. If it had loops to attach it to the D rings I would probably have kept on using it.

I had a search on the net for the N.E.W pad but couldn't find it- is there a website that it's on you could recommend at all?

[greydales]

My pad stays right up in the gullet, but I do have to pull it well up before I mount. It hasn't yet moved on Saturn and he does get very sweaty, and I've tried it in all situations!

This is the NEW pad neigh.org/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=196&osCsid=7570814d427fcfd0ae05945b3624d4cb

[dalesvic]

Thanks very much- I'll have look

[Miss Moneypenny]

I've got the N.E.W numnah too - that one is great, but everyday I use a waffle dressage numnah and I have found that to be just as good for my rather 'round' girl!