Common problems why people use a half pad
There are different kinds of half pads on the equine market for different purposes.But what is the point of riding with a half pad and what problems does it solve? You can read it in this blog post.
Half pads are used for shock absorption
A half pad can be used for multiple purposes. Some people use it to absorb shocks during riding. It also minimizes the impact of the saddle and the pressure of the rider. This offers a lot of comfort to the withers and spine which makes it easier for the horse to move around.
The Kentucky half pads are made of a 5-layer system that exists of a absorb fabric, a memory foam layer, a shock-absorbing gel, another memory foam layer and again absorb fabric. Due to the combination of these layers your horse’s back is well protected during riding. To ensure the back of the horse won’t heat up, the outside lining is made from a microfiber with ventilation holes.
Half pads for saddle correction
Other people use a half pad to correct the position of the saddle. Because our half pads are made from memory foam, which is an open-cell foam, the air pockets can be pressed down under pressure. This helps to fill in the gaps where the saddle does not fit perfectly. This divides the weight of the rider and saddle better on the horse’s back and will improve your riding experience. If you’re looking for a half pad that offers some saddle correction, make sure to check out the half pad thick section on our website.
If you have a well-fitting saddle you can choose a thin half pad to avoid that the saddle becomes too narrow. The thin half pad will offer maximum shock absorptions while also offering extra comfort for the horse’s back. If you have a close contact saddle for instance, the panels often have a foam filling and are less absorbent than wool fillings. To still have the close contact feeling but also absorbing shocks better, we’ve created an anatomic half pad. With this half pad you have a maximum shock absorption and still a close contact feeling.
Half pad benefits for riders
The benefits of a half pad are not only for the horse but also for the rider. It absorbs shocks from jumping to doing piaffe, this makes half pads suitable for every discipline and every rider. The shock-absorbing function will also relieve the spine of the rider and has many other ergonomic benefits. The riding experience will improve too as the horse will become looser and is able to use it’s back more. We have half pads in different styles and different thicknesses. If you want an extra chic look you can try one of our sheepskin half pads.