The OrthoRide™ Elite saddle pad is the same design as the Original OrthoRide™ but is finished with tan wool top and a black colored wool bottom. Giving you a choice in finish and color. Both the Elite and Original offer the Orthoride Stabilizer Insert to ensure that you saddle stays in place and remains balanced while protecting your horse's withers from the saddle bar pressure.
This pad measures: 31"x30"x1"
Why is the OrthoRide™ Saddle Pad so popular with barrel racers?To be honest the original OrthoRide was not made for barrel racing. But through the grass roots barrel racers found that the Poron shims in the front of the OrthoRide Saddle pads, we stabalizing their saddles around the turns, and keeping the saddle level. Before we realized it Barrel Racers were one of the largest buyers of the Original OrthoRide.
Enter the OrthoRide Barrel Saddle Pad is the same design as the OrthoRide Origianal series, but in a smaller size and shape specifically paced for barrel saddles. Today you will see the Southwestern Equine Logo on top barrel racers across the country. Try one yourself or vising the Southwestern Equine Facebook pages to talk with over 7,000 riders who use our saddle pads. See what they are saying. Southwestern Equine Facebook Page
The OrthoRide Barrel Saddle Pad can address several saddle fit problems:
• Stabilizes Saddle in Turn
• Lessens Horse Anticipation
• Protects Horse Shoulders
• Less Slipping - Stays Snug
• Lightweight
Additionally the OrthoRide Barrel Saddle Pad can help with:
- Saddles that are Too Large
- Saddle Tilt Forward
- High Withers or unusual conformation horse
- Narrow Withers
OrthoRide™ Barrel Saddle Pad utilizes a combination of orthopedic material to address common problems with saddle fit. The OrthoRide Saddle Pad uses inserts of PoronXRD® to absorb shock and impact at the contact of the saddle bars. PoronXRD® is currently used in professional athletic padding and is considered one of the best shock absorption technologies on the market today. Next we use memory foam to fill in gaps that may occur with the saddle that do not exactly match the shape of the horses back, this ensures a snug fit. Lastly we line the entire bottom of the pads with orthopedic grade felt. This ensures comfort for your horse while wicking away sweat.
Let’s give our horses some comfort.
The OrthoRide saddle pad’s wither relief insert is designed to give your horse relief from the hundreds of pounds of saddle and rider that all comes to a point at the saddle bars. To many times you will see a horse that has suffered improper saddle fit indicated by white hair spots at their wither where they now have a permanent injury. This is actually trauma of the hair follicle, turning the hairs in the damaged area white.
Saddles that are too large.
Saddles are expensive, so for people that own more than one horse having a perfect fitting saddle for each one becomes impractical. Additionally horses’ backs change shape over the years. For a saddle that is too large, (where the saddle bars are not resting on the horse’s wither muscle) or the front Gullet of the saddle may be hitting the top of the wither while riding, the OrthoRide™ can dramatically help. By filling in the space between the bars of the saddle and holding the saddle up level where your weight is more evenly distributed. Additionally this helps keep the underside of the saddle gullet from resting on the top of the horses wither. This can give you and your horse a better day riding.
Sore or Sensitive withers.
There are many horses have sensitive withers and backs, but too often riders are not aware and attribute behavior problems to training. Othen this is due to something wrong with the saddle. Sometimes a saddle will fit level, but the angle of the saddle bars are at an angle that doesn’t match with the shape of the horse, so they end of digging into the horses wither and cause pain. OrthoRide Saddle Pad keeps your horse’s wither protected and fills in gaps under the saddle.
Young Horses.
Many young horses do not have fully developed wither muscles, or backs for that matter. Early experiences can last a lifetime with a horse. The OrthoRide™ saddle pads are great for young horses. The OrthoRide is gentle saddle pad on their backs while helping them get used to the weight of a rider. The PoronXRD® inserts works by absorbing the shock.
Old Horses.
Just like with young horses older horses have similar problems. As horses age they can start to lose their wither muscle and their back get sensitive. Again like with young horses, OrthoRide™ saddle pads are gentle on their backs. The PoronXRD® inserts absorbing the shock.
Barrel Racing – Wither Pinch Saddle Slip
Running straight and making 360 degree turns in a barrel race can really put a lot of pressure on a horse’s withers in a turn. Horse anticipate this and will hold up on turns causing loss of rhythm that can cost time on the run. Let the shock absorption of PoronXRD® reduce the pressure and you might just gain second or two.
Roping Horses – Dally Hit
Any Roper knows that when you dally that rope on the horn and pull that steer the horse is going to feel as they say “a hit.” OrthoRide™ puts the shock absorption of PoronXRD® between the saddle horn and your horses’ withers. Some of our customers have noticed dramatic difference in their horse’s anxiety level after switching to an OrthoRide™ saddle pad.