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Limpet Pads?

justmartha
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Oct 31, 2005, 10:32 AM

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Limpet Pads?	Can't Post

I went to the Arabian Nationals last weekend and in the vendor section, I saw a type of pad that intrigued me, called a Limpet pad. It was open cell foam, kind of like those tempurpedic mattresses. The vendor said it was good at staying put on the horse's back, and at providing padding where it needs to be. Has anybody else seen/tried them out?

Martha in NM
http://www.valverdemorgans.com

JimHess
Silver Member

Nov 1, 2005, 12:54 AM

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Re: [justmartha] Limpet Pads? [In reply to]	Can't Post

I just checked out the Limpet pad website. They have some specific instructions on their use. Apparantly you have to walk the horse for about 20 minutes while the pad warms up and conforms to the horse's back, and if you don't there's hell to pay. The pad may tear and/or slide out. It sounds like once it conforms, though, it grabs with almost suction cup force. It says to remove it you pass your hand between it and the horse to loosen it. (I could use some of that on my saddle's seat, haha.) We've been using Toklat pads for quite a while, with removeable foam inserts. Now that we're using Sport Saddles, they recommend Skito pads, with similar foam pads, built up a little extra under the seat. If you get one, keep us posted on the results!

-Jim

justmartha
Member

Nov 1, 2005, 9:57 AM

Post #3 of 10 (863 views)
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Re: [JimHess] Limpet Pads? [In reply to]	Can't Post

Hmmm - I'm glad you mentioned the web site. After looking at that, I am not sure it would be an ideal choice, at least for every-day riding. Especially in the winter, I dash home from work and rarely have more than 30-45 minutes to ride. Spending 20 of that at the walk waiting for my pad to "bond" is not exactly something I would enjoy. I walk for a few minutes, but my horses spend a fair bit of their day walking around their large pens, so I move up to the trot after about 5 minutes most of the time. Also the recommendation to store the pad in a warm environment is off-putting. My tackroom is insulated, but not heated. So maybe I am glad I saved my money. They do look like they might be nice for longer trail rides though.

Martha in NM
http://www.valverdemorgans.com

Cottonhawk
Member

Nov 2, 2005, 2:18 AM

Post #4 of 10 (850 views)
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Re: [justmartha] Limpet Pads? [In reply to]	Can't Post

We use "Saddleright orthopedic Competition Saddle Pads" and they work very well.
Check out their web site....
http://www.saddleright.com/

Cotton

justmartha
Member

Nov 2, 2005, 12:30 PM

Post #5 of 10 (840 views)
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Re: [Cottonhawk] Limpet Pads? [In reply to]	Can't Post

Whooeee! they don't exactly give those away either., do they? They could use a web site redesign - very difficult to find out exactly what is different about their pads than others. But they do have a nice variety of styles and such - thanks for the link.

I don't really need an orthopedic type pad, I just need something that works with my endurance saddle without slipping out. That's why the Limpet pad intrigued me.

In Reply To

We use "Saddleright orthopedic Competition Saddle Pads" and they work very well.
Check out their web site....
http://www.saddleright.com/

Martha in NM
http://www.valverdemorgans.com

JimHess
Silver Member

Nov 4, 2005, 5:36 PM

Post #6 of 10 (827 views)
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Re: [justmartha] Limpet Pads? [In reply to]	Can't Post

Martha,
I know how aggravating it can be when your saddle pad slips out. When I used to use an english saddle it seemed like I had more problems with the pad slipping. The english girths I used had elastic on one end. I know you said your new saddle has english billets. Does your girth have elastic? I just wonder if maybe the girth isn't tight enough. Or is your horse just such a big mover that his shoulder pushes the pad? My wife had a Morgan that was such a big mover he would get wrinkles on the hair of his back.

-Jim

justmartha
Member

Nov 7, 2005, 10:34 AM

Post #7 of 10 (813 views)
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Re: [JimHess] Limpet Pads? [In reply to]	Can't Post

Hi Jim,

I think the pad slips because the horse is a big mover and because the saddle has a lower coefficient of friction (how's that for a 50-cent word?) than a typical western saddle. The padding is closed-cell foam or neoprene, rather than fleece. I actually do use a Wintec dressage girth on the saddle- it has stretch but I like it better than the elastic-ended girths. I've never felt very secure with them. The guy who makes the saddle also makes a pad that works just fine. It's thin, canvas-covered, fleece, and has a loop on either side for the girth/billets. The limpets just caught my eye because they were offering a sale on them at the horse show & they looked interesting to me.

In Reply To

Martha in NM
http://www.valverdemorgans.com

JimHess
Silver Member

Nov 7, 2005, 9:33 PM

Post #8 of 10 (797 views)
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Re: [justmartha] Limpet Pads? [In reply to]	Can't Post

Martha, I think you're on to something with the friction idea. My english saddles whether leather or synthetic, were smooth on the underside. The western saddles, even my Sportsaddle, have fleece underneath. The pads your saddle guy has sound a lot like our Skito pads. They are cordura top, fleece underneath, with straps on the sides by the girth area. I saw another setup that might interest you. I was looking through the catalog that came with my Cashel seat cushion, and they make a western pad with a loop that goes around the horn. You can see it on their website. It's CashelCompany.com . They also 'splain the difference between closed cell and open cell foam, among other things.
I was going to ask you if that foal picture was your 2005 baby, but then you changed it!

-Jim

justmartha
Member

Nov 8, 2005, 9:43 AM

Post #9 of 10 (793 views)
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Re: [JimHess] Limpet Pads? [In reply to]	Can't Post

Jim,

The Cashel folks make a lot of interesting stuff. The only thing I have bought so far is their fancy fly mask, but I keep thinking the tush cushion is a good idea. I'll check out their pads - I have not been to their web site in awhile.

Last week's picture was the 2005 foal. This week, it's his full sister, back in 2002. Both Morgans. I'm having fun with the photos because most lists I am on don't do anything like that. Kinda gives you a chance to enjoy some of those photos you take. I like yours - they have a sense of humor!

Martha in NM
http://www.valverdemorgans.com

Mark4510
Silver Member

Nov 8, 2005, 1:09 PM

Post #10 of 10 (788 views)
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Re: [justmartha] Limpet Pads? [In reply to]	Can't Post

Folks,
On the western side we have taken to using the Leson pad for grip. It�s very thin so we tend to use a thick show pad to help with concussion. Even so, the combination sets you right down on their back which helps us feel what�s going on. (although I have to admit that in my last show I missed getting that lead change in the back which kept me from the finals in OKC this year)

Although I really like the Leson pad it is so grippy that I only use in shows when we are going to run flat out. Usually it works well but if you get a thin skinned sensitive horse it can stretch the skin to the point where they become skin sensitive. Most of the time we use a standard Classic Equine ESP pad and have never had a problem.

Regards,
Mark

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