July 4, 2003
EquiPedic Saddle Pads: Comfortable Backs, Happy Horses!
By Christy Landwehr
Development Director
www.cha-ahse.org
Everywhere you turn in the horse industry there is
information about correct saddle fit. Even in this issue of
The Instructor, we have a great article on fitting saddles for
group riding programs by Jim Glunt. Now I am not saying that
saddle fit is not important to achieve optimal performance
from your horse, but what about the pad?
Most of us do not ride our horse with just a saddle, and
with so many pads on the market picking one can be a
challenge. But if you could find a pad that could make the
horse feel better, then wouldn't he perform better? This is
the philosophy at EquiPedic, Inc.
Combining phase change material, pressure relieving foam
from TempurPedic?, natural wool and non-coated breathable 1000
denier Cordura; EquiPedic pads help to eliminate saddle fit
problems and keep your horse cooler when it's hot and warmer
when it's cold.
We tried the pad on three different horses. A 3-year-old
Quarter Horse mare that is just being started under saddle, a
6-six-year old Appaloosa who is training for endurance riding
and a 20-something Thoroughbred who is used for riding
lessons. We found that the EquiPedic pad brought the mare's
back up and through more than the pads we were using in the
past. She felt as though she was actually raising her back to
meet the pad and therefore meet our seat. The Appaloosa
actually sweat less underneath it and was cooler after his
ten-mile training rides and the elderly Thoroughbred didn't
act as grumpy with the beginning riders who were learning how
to post.
We tried the pad out in all weather temperatures ranging
from 30 degrees to 75 degrees. We found that when it was cold
out the pad took about five minutes to mold to the horse's
back, other than that there was no change.
Another benefit to these pads is that they are machine
washable. You just remove the foam insert and wash away.
Additionally, the pads are orthopedic, anti-slip,
antibacterial and anti-fungal.
EquiPedic pads currently come in a western style in the
colors of black, green, and red. Available this Holiday,
EquiPedic, Inc. will be enhancing its line of saddle pads to
include an endurance and English pad that are made with
Holofiber™, a proprietary patent-pending textile that works
with the body’s own energy system to increase oxygen levels,
build strength and accelerate muscle recovery. These saddle
pads can actually lower the body surface temperature of the
horse for extended periods of time while protecting its back
from ischemic pain that causes white hairs from lack of blood
flow.
Regardless of which style of EquiPedic pad you choose, the
system provides the ability to keep horses 4-to-7 degrees
cooler for extended periods of time, can increase
transcutaneous oxygen levels in the area under the saddle, and
gives the horse superior comfort levels. “These unique
features can give the rider and the horse an extraordinary
advantage when performing,” said Richard Sacks, EquiPedic’s
CEO.
CHA is excited to welcome EquiPedic, Inc. as a new
corporate partner. Due to this new relationship, CHA members
receive great discounts when buying EquiPedic products. Look
for CHA to be carrying EquiPedic products in its product line
in upcoming months.
You can contact EquiPedic by phone at
505-523-0900 or visit their web site at
www.equipedic.com.
