A good barrel racing pad?

Question

I was wondering if this would be a decent barrel racing pad? If not then what would you suggest? My budget isnt vey high so please try to keep the price below a hundred. Thank you.

this is the pad just scroll down a little bit it is an Abetta Aire Grip Ostrich Pad

http://www.buytack.com/products/saddles/act/20532.htm

also what do you think about that saddle and bridle

Answer 1

I haven't tried this one or know of anyone who has, but if you are looking for other suggestions as well, you might want to look into an Impact Gel pad.  They are about $100, which I know you would like to keep down, but they are worth it.  I keep my clean and it still looks like new years later.  I have also had good experiences with the Charmayne James Air Ride barrel pad, nearly the same price, but also worth it.

Answer 2

I hate the saddle pad because what it does it gabs and rips off the hair of the horse and some get mad! I love the saddle and bridle/headstall!

Answer 3

I use a thin navajo and a Charmayne James air ride saddle pad to race in. I DO NOT suggest impact gel pads, because after a year or so, the impact gel starts to distribute unevenly on the horses back, causing backproblems and chiropractor bills. If your saddle lies on your horses withers, you may want to consider a saddle pad that is cut out to lift the saddle off of the horses withers.

The saddle is good to go! Considering its synthetic, it will be lighter on your horses back and allow it to run faster.

Hope I helped.

Answer 4

Well I use two 1inch thick pads on my horse. It is think enough to keep the saddle fitting, well and comfortable. Most special made pades have synthetic material, or some rubber made substance and has give my horses sores. I would reccomend using two 1inch thick pads. This has worked best in my experiences. The saddle looks nice, hope it works for you!

Answer 5

I use the best ever saddle pad, and I run in the 1D.  

http://www.besteverpads.com/

Say if I were going to get another saddle pad, I would get the Charmayne James Pros Choice Barrel Racing Saddle Pad. Charmayne is the 11 time world champion.

http://www.discounthorse.com/product/col...

For that saddle, it would not be good for barrel racing. The bridle, I could care less about. The seat of the saddle is not deep enough, horn is not small enough, and, I dont like the coloring or patterning at all.

http://www.buytack.com/products/saddles/...

-- Thats what I call a barrel saddle. Billy Cooks, are realllllly good. Dont just buy any saddle, make sure its a barrel saddle, and it fits your horse well.

Answer 6

i dont ride western but i thought there was an ostrich saddle and a western saddle if that is true, then that might be for an ostrich saddle

Answer 7

I have a pad like that, and it works pretty well, it lets the horse breathe, and keeps them from getting too hot and sweaty.  I absolutely LOVE the saddle!!! I wish i could afford one like that!

Answer 8

they all look good to me

i would get them if thats what you want to pay

however i don't like the color on the saddle though heres what i just got for my birthday

saddle pad

http://flickr.com/photos/29105691@N06/27...

saddle

http://flickr.com/photos/29105691@N06/27...

hackamore

http://flickr.com/photos/29105691@N06/27...

breastcollar

http://flickr.com/photos/29105691@N06/27...

i got alot more things but these were the best

Answer 9

that is the most gorgeous saddle i have ever seen

the colours are so nice

like both of the others

i don't know if it's great as i don't barrel race

but at least it looks great :)

Answer 10

You might not like my answer - please understand it's an opinion just like you asked for.

If you are young, just starting out and going to small local fun shows, this isn't a bad saddle.  In that case I'd suggest a cool back or wool back pad by Toklat - both are well made for their price and under a hundred bucks.

However, if you're a serious racer going to 1D or high competition rodeos, a synthetic saddle won't get ya the fastest time.

In my opinion the best saddles are all leather - there are many out there with lots of technology in them - Martha Josey puts her name on a line of very good barrel saddles (but I don't personally care for the tall horns on 'em).  Kellie Kamiski and other greats all have Circle Y saddles they've designed.

I ride a barrel saddle made by Crates and designed by Meleta brown - a barrel racer and tack store owner.  The saddle is different from others in the pitch and twist of its bars - at the front, the bars curve outward offering more shoulder movement without having to give up saddle.  As the bar go under the seat toward the back, they twist flatter which makes the saddle fit right behind the withers snugly where it should not move, but then flattens out over the back where the horse should be free to bend around a barrel.

I raise a couple sheep, so I know that value of wool - it wicks away moisture allowing a cooler back.  I don't agree with closed cell pads against a horse's skin - they allow bacteria and sweat to gather making it more uncomfortable for the horse.  I think a pad that's no more than 3/4" thick is best as it allows enough cushion on a well-fitting saddle - less than 1/2" is pretty thin and doesn't do a lot - more than 3/4" might be like stuffing a thick sock in a tight fitting shoe - the point is: if the saddle fits properly, you don't need the pad for anything more than a little more cushion and a mechanism to take the moisture away from the back.

Watch for cut back pads - or get one that's contoured so the withers don't have too much pressure with you and the saddle on.  Even if you do get one that's contoured, after you place the saddle on, before you cinch up, pull the pad up a bit to form a pocket above the withers - so that when you get on, the pressure doesn't cause a tight pad on the horse's withers - get it?

We sell some saddles at the store where I work with ostrich skin seats - I don't think I'd waste the money on this - the seat is what takes the better part of wear - maybe equal to the stirrup fenders and jockeys - I wouldn't want to have the seat get worn and look drab - they might take quite a bit of care.  Ostrich skin is thin - leather or suede may be stronger and last longer.

Hope this helps.