Firstly lets talk about what are half pads, and why do we use them in equestrian riding?
Half pads are used to add additional cushioning between your saddle and your horse’s back and some can even be adjusted to improve minor saddle fit issues.
P.S. If you’re interested in recommendations for non-slip saddle pads, check out this guide.
About ThinLine Horse Tack
Equestrian and entrepreneur Elaine Lockhead Castelao developed a product that brought together an honest connection between rider and horse through ThinLine.
It’s a unique, open-cell technology that distributes shock, weight, and heat laterally along the pad without compressing. The result is 95% shock absorption.
Sewn into the panels of the half pads – ThinLine is a thin, shock absorbing, non-slip, breathable material.
What I love most about this company is they are small, and all riders. Meaning if you have any questions – you are being taken care of by the most knowledgeable of horse people.
Different Types of ThinLine Trifecta Half Pads
There are different versions of the ThinLine Trifecta Half Pads, depending on your preference and riding style.
They are:
– Full Sheepskin
– Sheepskin Rolls
– Plain Cotton Pad
Each are great options! I will break them down a little more so you may get a better idea of what’s best suited to your liking!
Trifectas Plain Cotton Half Pad creates a wither profile. It is simple, elegant and sleek. I personally like the simplicity of this version. It comes in multiple colours – white, dark brown, and black.
Plus it’s the most affordable of the three options!
Trifectas Full Sheepskin Half Pad is just so fluffy and gorgeous!
ThinLine is sewn on top of the high-quality cotton with medical grade sheepskin under the panels and at the front roll.
Talk about ultimate comfort for both you and your horse. I personally love the look of this one, however it is on the pricey side in comparison to the other two options.
Trifectas Half Pad with Sheepskin Rolls in definitely the best of both worlds!
You get the beautiful cotton and sheepskin mix, the colour options, and the in-between the two price! This is the one I purchased, and personally – I LOVE it!
I also like the idea that the underside is cotton, you don’t want your horse to overheat in that warmer weather.
How To Fit a Half Pad
When selecting your half pad, first evaluate your saddle size to your horses back. Once you evaluate how your saddle fits you can decide on your choice of half pad.
You want to be aware of the fit of your half pad. Here’s a simple comparison to better understand why…
When you are wearing a pair of shoes that fit to tight, it doesn’t matter how cozy of socks you have on – If they are to thick your feet will hurt.
Most half pads, regardless of style, come in three sizes. Small, medium, and large. I was reccomended to order a size medium for Rudy, when asking Karen from Peter Horobin. If you haven’t had a chance to read about our experience with Karen, we suggest doing so!
Figure out how narrow your saddle is, and the fit of it on your horse before assuming which size to buy! We’ve included a chat below to better help with the process.
Shims or No Shims?
There are half pads on the market that are able to fit shims. There are pockets for inserts under certain parts of the saddle.
Using shims allows for minor saddle fit adjustments.
This is useful in time, when your horses structure changes. Such as your horse gaining more muscle, young horses needing more padding, or for horses who’s saddle doesn’t fit right.
Shims also come in a variety of different materials, and they do not have to be the same material as your half pad. For example they could be silicone, while your half pad is sheepskin. That is dependent on your preferred method of padding.
Here’s a little tip, you may shape your shim by scissors to better suit your pad!
I hope you enjoyed this review on the ThinLine Trifecta Cotton Half Pad with Sheepskin Rolls. I would love to hear your feedback, drop a comment and let me know what you think!
Happy riding!
Martina
