Port lewis impression pad - any good?

[Wendy]

Does anyone have experience of it? It seems a useful tool to keep an eye out for saddle problems. Or is it just that - a good idea but not too practical?

[Woody]

i think sixfootblonde may have one

[Bradders]

Found this on here - was sure it had been discussed before

http://www.enlightenedequitation.com/ee/boards/index.php/topic,26176.0.html

[Torsornin]

I own one - I think they are worth it

[Wendy]

Ahh thanks. 

[Milliemop]

Well worth it IMO. I have one which I use every 4 to 5 rides as I have spinal injury and it ensures I am not starting to sit too crooked.

[whisper's mum]

Well worth it IMO. I have one which I use every 4 to 5 rides as I have spinal injury and it ensures I am not starting to sit too crooked.

We have one in the loft and I hadn't thought to use it for that purpose! 

[Cloud_cirrus]

I have one in my saddle fitting arsenal.  Useful for checking out imbalances in riders, that may be caused by saddle and vice versa, not so good for checking actual fit as they are in themselves quite bulky so will in effect stop a correctly fitting saddle fit correctly if you see what I mean.

[whisper's mum]

not so good for checking actual fit as they are in themselves quite bulky so will in effect stop a correctly fitting saddle fit correctly if you see what I mean.

That's what I thought when Paul used it. 

[nix]

I actually found them quite useful for checking fit, although bulky the connecting straps for the two halves can be pushed up into the gullet of the saddle and the rest of the pad between the horse and saddle was simply gel filled plastic. My expectation from a well fitting saddle (treed or treeless) was to see the areas of the saddle that were in contact with the horse flattened down to the thickness of a regular saddlecloth.

Problem areas such as stirrup bars causing pressure or any other pressure points showed either very little gel coverage in that area or none at all. I think the worst result I saw was from a treed saddle which had two clear patches the size of my hand under each stirrup bar, needless to say the poor pone was not comfortable in the corresponding area on his back.

As others have said, it is also very good for highlighting rider imbalance too

[sixfootblonde]

I do have one and have used them a lot. I find them to be a very useful tool to highlight problem areas e.g. bridging, bar pressure (like Nix said). Are you coming to the next MDJ clinic Wendy? If so, I can bring mine for you to have a play with if you like?

[Wendy]

Interesting, thanks. 

Are you coming to the next MDJ clinic Wendy? If so, I can bring mine for you to have a play with if you like

Yes I am. That would be helpful if its no trouble, thank you! 

[Toots]

If it is of any interest, I hire them out as well as sell them - it is a very useful tool but you need to be careful how you interpret the results. 

Remember it only tells you how that saddle fits on that horse and that rider at that time.

[Wendy]

OK Toots thanks, I'll bear that in mind.