redesigned Santos impression pad testing is finished!
The facts...
- EDIX Santos
- rider is myself (approximately 5'2 and 140 lbs). Horse is Gigi, downhill QH type
- Walk, trot, canter
- EDIX merino western pad
- felt inlays and felt shims to balance the saddle
- Top of the picture is front of the saddle, left panel is left side of saddle, right panel is right side of saddle.
The second picture shows the impression pad when we rode with it between the saddle and the saddle pad. This is the best way I can measure the weight distribution capabilities of the saddle itself. This shows decent weight distribution but a disproportionate amount of weight under the pommel due to her conformation. Little blip at the back of the saddle (bottom of the picture) was from me grabbing the pad too hard when I was taking it off.
The third picture is the impression pad after a ride with it between the horse and the saddle pad, which gives us an idea of how the saddle and saddle pad are working together. This is with felt inlays and shimming for saddle balance. This is a pretty remarkable result. Very even pressure all the way down the panels of the saddle and inlays of the saddle pad. This is the ideal, in my opinion, as it is distributing weight to a large area and reducing PSI. There is a little blip mid way down the right side. I checked the merino and there was a glob of grass pellet horse slober clumping the merino in that general area so I assume that was the cause. Make sure to check, fluff and brush the merino on your pad regularly .
I LOVE THE REDESIGNED SANTOS!!! I'm not sure what else I can say it supports a biomechanically beneficial rider position and an efficient balance point for all around riding. All the horses have been going very nicely in it. So I'm pleased, but not surprised, at these results.
I am using Cassy Saddle Impression Pads.
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