help about buying items

Question

Hello there,

i posted this question to few experts here, cuz i need ur opinion guys

i need to buy few stuffs for my horse, and i can't find good qualities in my country, so i'm gonna buy it online, that's way i need an expert help and point of view.

i want to buy:
- theriputic saddle pad
- boot

it's for a German jumping horse

for the saddle pad, my horse has a sensitive back, so i'v been searching for a pad which provide the best comfort for the back and that protect from the pressure. i found many types that i don't really know if they are good or really work as the sellers say about them.  like the Gel pads and many other pads..
so is those pads better than the normal cotton?

the best site i could find a variety of types on it was the following one, i'll put the pads that suit my budget and if u could tell me which is best among them, and are those used alone with the saddle or i should add a regular pad above them?

http://www.charlottes-saddlery.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Co...

http://www.charlottes-saddlery.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Co...

http://www.charlottes-saddlery.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Co...

http://www.charlottes-saddlery.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Co...



and for the boot, the horse had a problem with one of his front tendons, he's in rest now but after he goes back to work i'm thinking of using a protective boot, so i really liked the pro choice boots.  i found those two that i think suit what i need


http://www.charlottes-saddlery.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Co...


http://www.charlottes-saddlery.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Co...



if u could guide me through this purchesing process i'd be thankfull, and if u suggest other brands please tell me about them



Kind Regards

Answer
Sara,

I'm so sorry!  I've been very tied up here with secretarying my saddle club's clinic for distance riders this past weekend and school has also started.  I only have a limited amount of time each night and with a dial-up connection just didn't have time to check out the specific sites you mentioned.  What I can do is tell you what you are really should do.  

One thing I would recommend is to get his back and saddle fit checked out.  If his back is sensitive it's sore.  Period.  If you don't know how to check out saddle fit try to find someone who is, preferably someone who works on or at least sells saddles.  If the fit is correct than you don't need a therapeutic pad.  That could well be the problem with his back.  If he does have a specific problem, like very narrow, high withers or one shoulder lower than the other then that  may require a special pad if the saddle cannot be stuffed or adjusted to fit perfectly.  Next I recommend getting some body work done on him.  Find an equine massage therapist and get him worked on.  He may also need some chiropractic work.  These therapies will not be one shot deals, he may require multiple sessions to get him completely straightened out.  Regular work after that, just like shoeing and vet care, will keep him at the peak of his abilities.

Saddles are like shoes.  They have to fit.  Period.  If the shoe fits but is a little big you can solve that with thick socks.  I do that with my wintertime footgear.  But if it doesn't fit or is too small, there is nothing you can do to make it comfortable.  And your feet will hurt if you insist on wearing them.  I've gone through lots of saddle fit problems in all the thousands of miles I've ridden.  You have to have a saddle that really fits to have a horse wear it for 17 hrs. and run 100 miles with it on.

Boots are another story.  Pro Choice makes a good boot.  There are other brands out there too that are good. I don't remember the names right off hand.  Look for something that will do the job without overkill.  Remember, heat builds up under the boots and you also have to pay attention to keeping grit out of them.  I'm not against them, I have to use boots both front and back on one of my endurance horses because he's so narrow that he whacks himself raw on the insides of all 4 ankles.  But they can chafe so you have to watch them.  They sometimes fall in the category of necessary evils.

Just get your horse's back straightened out.  It will cost some money but he'll be so much better for it.  So many people compromise on spending money.  They'll buy all kinds of therapeutic things, spend tons of money on shows and competitions, and settle for whatever their horse can do without ensuring that he's in the best shape he can be in.  Why settle for second-best?

Lyn