Equestrian sport, especially show jumping, is undergoing dynamic developments. Better and better horses are being bred, riders have unlimited training possibilities, and courses are becoming more difficult with each year. Nowadays, in order to obtain a satisfactory sports result, every little detail has to be taken into account – and the comfort of the horse, undoubtedly, comes first.
No horse was born with a saddle on its back, so it is very important to ensure that the equipment used not only is fitted properly, but also gives the least possible amount of discomfort, not disrupting the horse’s natural movement and physiology. The horse’s back muscles work dynamically during both flatwork and jumping, and must be strong and flexible to allow the horse to perform to the fullest potential. Maintaining good condition in the back muscles is a continuous process that combines proper training, therapeutic support, and proper saddle fitting, and might be difficult due to constant muscle changes and development. However, it is not only a saddle that may cause tension in the horse’s back, but also the rider. Any minimal change in the rider's balance, such as leaning or stiffening, may create pressure points and affect the horse’s comfort. This is unavoidable, especially in show jumping, when a demanding course, fast cantering, and sharp turns do not go unnoticed by the body. And that's why muscle support is so important for both horse and rider!
How can a saddle half pad help?
The main task of a saddle half pad is to distribute the pressure of the rider's weight across the horse’s back. But how do you know if a half pad is really doing its job? At a time of growing sensitivity in horses and increasing training demands, show jumping riders are beginning to look not only for more advanced solutions, but for products with scientifically proven effectiveness to improve their horses’ comfort and performance.
The innovative Winderen Back Protect Solution half pad allows for a significant part of the energy to be dissipated and absorbed during riding. Its beneficial properties are not only confirmed by veterinary surgeons, physiotherapists and riders worldwide, but also by independent laboratory tests, showing that its efficiency in terms of distribution and energy absorption is much greater than that of traditional sheepskin pads or gel pads. See the laboratory test results in the video below:
With its five technologically advanced layers, the Winderen Back Protect Solution half pad effectively relieves pressure generated during riding, protecting both the horse’s and rider’s back against excessive overload. The innovative materials used not only ensure effective shock absorption, but also improve the balance and stability of the saddle, minimising pressure points in all phases of movement and jumping. Thanks to this, the half pad facilitates relaxation and flexibility of the back, helping the muscles to loosen up faster and develop more efficiently. The horse feels more comfortable under saddle and gains more freedom of movement, which directly translates into the quality and roundness of the jump.
Winderen half pads are available in different versions to meet the needs of different horses and riders. The basis for the entire line is the Comfort version (18 mm thickness), which is ideal for replacing thick gel, sheepskin, or memory foam pads. The Slim version (10 mm thickness) is designed to meet the needs of riders with custom-made saddles for each of their horses. Last but not least is the Correction version, which has proved to be a turning point for many horses and riders.
Based on use of the same shock-absorbing layers, this version features 6 pockets for felt correction inserts shaped to conform to the horse’s back muscles. With shims with 2, 3 and 4 mm thicknesses, the Correction Half Pad can be individually fitted to the back of each horse, giving a total of 262,144 different combinations for saddle balance adjustment. This makes the Correction half pad indispensable for riders who, for example, have to adjust the saddle for a young horse in the process of building strong and healthy muscles, or to support a horse coming back from an injury and not yet in full condition.
Read more about this innovative half pad and the benefits it provides at the Winderen website.
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