Why we all love gel and sheepskin half pads

Most equestrians immediately associate the words ‘gel’ and ‘sheepskin’ with half pads even though there are many other products made of these materials, just think of girths, seat savers or even leg protection. Yet the association with half pads is not surprising: there are countless half pads made of sheepskin or gel, or even of both materials. But which material is the best? And how do you know if you even need a half pad?

The most commonly used materials
Synthetic sheepskin and sheepskin are perhaps the most popular materials for a half pad. A lot of people ride with sheepskin half pads and let’s be honest, these half pads look both fabulous and comfortable! If you have the choice between synthetic sheepskin and sheepskin, real sheepskin is the better choice. Real sheepskin distributes pressure more efficiently, has better sweat absorbing qualities and is more breathable than synthetic sheepskin. It is often thought that the temperature rises a lot under sheepskin, but the opposite is true: sheepskin ventilates extremely well! If you regularly wash your sheepskin half pad with BR Leather Wash, it is more durable than synthetic sheepskin as well. Synthetic sheepskin is an affordable alternative and also a great choice if you prefer not to use animal products.

Anonher commonly used material for half pads is gel. The gel in the older gel pads is known to yield to pressure, but with modern gel pads this is no longer the case. Many of the newer gel pads have been designed in such a way that they also promote air circulation. Gel is resistant to all conditions and is durable. In addition, this material is very easy to maintain. Most gel pads can easily be rinsed under running water or in the washing machine.

Gel and sheepskin are not the only materials that are used in half pads, memory foam is another example of a commonly used material. Memory foam adapts perfectly to every shape when it warms up. Some products combine multiple materials to combine the qualities of both materials into one product.

BR Half Pad / BR Soft Gel Pad Anatomic

Front riser, back riser, pockets for inserts…
We have all seen the standard, evenly shaped half pads. This type of half pad is equally thick like most sheepskin half pads. Other than these pads, half pads exist that solve specific issues such as the position or balance of the saddle. If a saddle tilts backwards, a back riser lifts the back of the saddle to correct the balance. A front riser, on the other hand, lifts the front of the saddle. Front risers reduce the width of the saddle’s chamber and are often used for horses that have muscle atrophy or have lost (too much) weight. Front and back risers are available as pictured, or as a complete half pad with an integrated front or back riser. A middle riser can be a solution for saddles that do not make sufficient contact with the middle of the back, also known as a ‘bridging saddle’ which is often the case with horses with a swayback.

Half pads with pockets for inserts combine the best of both worlds. This type of half pad has pockets that allow you to place inserts exactly and only where you need them. The half pad can thus be used as front riser or back riser, but also allows shimming on one side if your horse has one sided atrophy.

BR Soft Gel Front Riser / BR Soft Gel Back Riser / BR Half Pad

Withers free or spine free pads
Some half pads have a specific shape to prevent pressure on the sensitive spine or withers. Half pads that relieve the withers are especially useful for horses with high or sensitive withers.

BR Half Pad Spinal Clearance / BR Soft Gel Hexagonal with Recess

Which half pad is suitable for my horse?
Whether you need a half pad or not, can best be decided by or in consultation with your saddler. Regardless of the half pad you choose, the fit of your saddle will be altered by a half pad. Every half pad can increase the fit of your saddle, but has an equal potential to significantly decrease the fit as well!

A well fitted saddle does not require a half pad. If you want to use a half pad to increase the comfort of your horse, consult your saddler. Your saddler should alter your saddle to ensure the saddle fits perfectly in combination with the half pad.