I know review after review has been written on this pad, but I have a few things to add that I didn't find in other reviews out there.
First of all, I had originally ordered one directly from Ogilvy. I just ordered a plain white dressage memory foam half pad, thinking that it would be in stock and so I could get it quicker. I sent them an e-mail to ask about when the pad would ship, not to rush them, just so I could keep an eye out for it. They promptly replied, saying that the pad should ship on about 4-6 weeks. Apparently, they were so slammed that they didn't even have the stock pads in stock. Okay, not the end of the world.
I ended up ordering one of the stock half pads from Mary's Tack and the pad arrived three days later. I couldn't wait to try it!
For the most part, I love the pad and it is what the company and other people say it is. My horse seems more comfortable, my back doesn't hurt as much after I ride, and my saddle fits better. The cover washes well (fortunately, since I ordered white). There are a few things I don't like, wish that I had done different, or wish that I had known about. None of these things have anything to do with the company or the quality of the product, more like hindsight is 20/20.
When I put the saddle on the pad, I noticed that it was a little big for my saddle. I had ordered a large per their sizing (I have an 18" Custom Saddlery), but it is still about 2-3" too big. At this point, I just needed the pad and didn't want to deal with exchanging it. Better too big than too small right? It didn't look that bad....
The only problem is now it drives me insane. Because it's too big, it looks extra, super puffy. Kind of like a giant marshmallow under my saddle. I wasn't all that excited about the whole puffy look anyway, but after reviewing a bunch of pictures I decided it really didn't look bad and ordered one anyway. Honestly, they look really nice as long as the pads fit the saddle correctly. They look much worse if they don't.
Another thing I noticed is that it does feel like a lot more between my horse and I when I ride. Beefs is super sensitive, so it's not that big of a deal, but I feel like he isn't quite as responsive to my seat when I use the Ogilvy pad. I'm willing to deal with this though, since he does seem more comfortable in it.
The only other thing is you have to tighten the girth again after you get on. I wouldn't mind this at all if I rode in a jumping saddle or had someone around all of the time to tighten my girth for me. However, trying to tighten a short dressage girth while on a wiggly thoroughbred can be a real challenge. Getting on, riding in a couple of circles, and then getting off to tighten it is also a pain in the ass.
Would I order another one? Absolutely. Just with a few differences. I had actually kept the pad from the company on order, thinking it wouldn't hurt to have two if I liked them. I did eventually end up cancelling it though because I want to make some changes. First off, I think I want the gummy half pad in a size medium so I don't look like I sat my saddle on top of the Pillsbury Doughboy. I am also probably going to order black. In pictures, the black looks really nice under the dressage saddles, even better than the white (and I'm a white fiend). I haven't decided if I'll do different colored piping yet, the binding will be black probably, and I want embroidery. On a good note, I'm getting less boring with the colors. At least a little bit.
First of all, I had originally ordered one directly from Ogilvy. I just ordered a plain white dressage memory foam half pad, thinking that it would be in stock and so I could get it quicker. I sent them an e-mail to ask about when the pad would ship, not to rush them, just so I could keep an eye out for it. They promptly replied, saying that the pad should ship on about 4-6 weeks. Apparently, they were so slammed that they didn't even have the stock pads in stock. Okay, not the end of the world.
I ended up ordering one of the stock half pads from Mary's Tack and the pad arrived three days later. I couldn't wait to try it!
For the most part, I love the pad and it is what the company and other people say it is. My horse seems more comfortable, my back doesn't hurt as much after I ride, and my saddle fits better. The cover washes well (fortunately, since I ordered white). There are a few things I don't like, wish that I had done different, or wish that I had known about. None of these things have anything to do with the company or the quality of the product, more like hindsight is 20/20.
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| So freaking big! Aghh! |
When I put the saddle on the pad, I noticed that it was a little big for my saddle. I had ordered a large per their sizing (I have an 18" Custom Saddlery), but it is still about 2-3" too big. At this point, I just needed the pad and didn't want to deal with exchanging it. Better too big than too small right? It didn't look that bad....
The only problem is now it drives me insane. Because it's too big, it looks extra, super puffy. Kind of like a giant marshmallow under my saddle. I wasn't all that excited about the whole puffy look anyway, but after reviewing a bunch of pictures I decided it really didn't look bad and ordered one anyway. Honestly, they look really nice as long as the pads fit the saddle correctly. They look much worse if they don't.
Another thing I noticed is that it does feel like a lot more between my horse and I when I ride. Beefs is super sensitive, so it's not that big of a deal, but I feel like he isn't quite as responsive to my seat when I use the Ogilvy pad. I'm willing to deal with this though, since he does seem more comfortable in it.
The only other thing is you have to tighten the girth again after you get on. I wouldn't mind this at all if I rode in a jumping saddle or had someone around all of the time to tighten my girth for me. However, trying to tighten a short dressage girth while on a wiggly thoroughbred can be a real challenge. Getting on, riding in a couple of circles, and then getting off to tighten it is also a pain in the ass.
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| But my Ogilvy half pad isn't. |
Would I order another one? Absolutely. Just with a few differences. I had actually kept the pad from the company on order, thinking it wouldn't hurt to have two if I liked them. I did eventually end up cancelling it though because I want to make some changes. First off, I think I want the gummy half pad in a size medium so I don't look like I sat my saddle on top of the Pillsbury Doughboy. I am also probably going to order black. In pictures, the black looks really nice under the dressage saddles, even better than the white (and I'm a white fiend). I haven't decided if I'll do different colored piping yet, the binding will be black probably, and I want embroidery. On a good note, I'm getting less boring with the colors. At least a little bit.
