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  Discussion on Skito Pad: Pro & Cons
Author Message
Member:
Ajudson1

Posted on Saturday, Sep 2, 2006 - 9:42 am:

I thought we had a discussion on this but couldn't find it.

Anyhow, wanted to comment that I just got one a few days ago and here's my thoughts on the pad.

Pro: Seems to do what it is supposed to do; help protect the horses back and help him move freely under a treeless saddle.

Craftmanship is good; stitching, material all o.k.

Worked o.k. under a regular saddle also.

Easy to care for.

Cons: Felt hard under the treeless saddle. I felt more comfortable after me and the horse warmed up.

Although I gave the guy exact measurements of my treeless saddle, and he reassured me that it was a standard size for my saddle, it is too long on the sides for the fender flaps to go in.

Found it to be very slippery compared to what I was using.....a non slip neophrene piece with a regular felt lined saddle blanket over it. Putting the non slip pad under the Skito pad caused that pad to slowly come out!

Don't think I would buy another one but I will continue to use it under my treeless. But think I will look for something else for the rest of my saddles.

Pretty spendy and kinda disappointing.
Member:
Dove2

Posted on Saturday, Sep 2, 2006 - 10:54 am:

Angie,
I, for one, really appreciate a real-live, honest review of any product or tack. The product reviews on this board are found under Member's Services,Bulletin Board, Product Review. (I wish it were in a more obvious location.) The Skito Pad discussion, however, is found under "Training Horses, Tack & Training, Types of Saddles & Fitting, Discussion on Corrector Pad, anyone using i?"

The prices of tack and horse items are way too high not to have some recommendations. So thank you for taking the time to honestly assess your Skito Pad. I knew of one person who loved hers, but perhaps her horse's body shape prevented the slippage, so that's a really important variable to consider. Also, perhaps as you use the pad more, it might conform to your horse's shape. Please give us an update in about a month, if you can.
Member:
Reese3

Posted on Saturday, Sep 2, 2006 - 2:39 pm:

Where and from Whom did you buy your Skito pad? It sounds like it was a cheap imitation of some sort. I have two Bob Marshall treeless saddles with skito pads and I absolutely love, love, LOVE them! We have had them 2 years now and the skito pad enhances the soft, cushy ride of my treeless. I couldn't imagine any other pad. It never slips at all. The elastic side straps hold my saddle flaps perfectly without any movement at all. I ride about 125 miles per month and my horse is never sore. I love the washability of it too. I just pull out the foam and toss it in the washer! There is hardly no signs of wear either. I believe it is the best pad for treeless saddles. I purchased my saddle & skito from https://sportsaddle.com. Gerri is the best!
Member:
Ajudson1

Posted on Saturday, Sep 2, 2006 - 9:40 pm:

Yup, I agree the product reviews are hard to remember where to look for here, and I did a search for Skito pads....I do remember us talking about it under the discussion about the Corrector pad now that you mention it.

DLC,

I bought the pad from the MAIN Guy who makes them in Idaho. The Carouseltights.com website was where I got his number from. Gerri and the others are his distributors.

I gave my saddle measurements, brand, and style to him over the phone, and he said it was a standard pattern.

Unfortunately when the UPS man arrived with it, I was riding one of my horses that the treeless don't work on, and I just switched pads and used it on her. If I hadn't rode in it for over an hour before I put it under my treeless, I would have returned it as the straps do NOT come close to my fender flaps.

I do plan on contacting the guy that I spoke with.

I still think it's a good idea for treeless saddles, just not sure what I personally ended up with. Maybe I just got the wrong pad, but it was made to order he said.

I'll update as I know more.

And it was slippery under both saddles. Supposively it's 80%wool/20% polyester....some loft and good wicking ability were his words.
Member:
Reese3

Posted on Monday, Sep 4, 2006 - 3:42 pm:

Hi Angie,
Yours must have been the "dry top" material. The one I have is 65/35 and more of a twill feel to it, with fleece underside. The measurements do sound off - the elastic should fit snuggly around the flap.

I hope you can get the pad adjusted and give it another whirl. Or maybe try the NON wicking material. Keep us posted. Denise
Member:
Ajudson1

Posted on Monday, Sep 4, 2006 - 11:09 pm:

I rode again with it yesterday. I ended up feeding the latigo and off billet(?) thru the elastic straps. Seems kind of silly, I thought the saddle flaps should go in there. Did get the ends barely into the elastic.....it didn't slip.....

Of course maybe the horse wasn't that sweaty this time.....

What I don't get is the why the blanket flaps are like 15" wide, and my saddle flaps are 9"...How is your saddle flaps compared to the blanket?

Maybe it is intended for my leg to rest on??

Seems like I got the one in the picture based on the color I ordered, which is for a different kind of saddle.

If you go to the website, I got the woodland pattern, and I sure think my pad looks just like that one, which is not the one that says for BM Circle Y.

Now I am angry at myself for even using it; I should have called the guy right away. But after waiting 3 weeks for it to arrive, I was anxious to try it out of course!!!
Member:
Reese3

Posted on Tuesday, Sep 5, 2006 - 8:37 am:

Hi Angie -- THREE weeks?? Mine came in a week! My saddle flaps fit snuggly and nicely into my elastic straps. Gerri had me measure my flaps to be sure they made it correctly. I wanted to order the skito pad at the same time I ordered my saddle but she said to wait because every saddle is custom made and the measurements could be slightly different.

I will take a pic and send it to you. It does sound like you got the wrong pad for your saddle. Your saddle is made by Circle Y? Maybe that is why, I don't know. Mine is the original BM.

I can understand your anxiousness in wanting to try it out -- you could always sell it on ebay. They are excellent pads and the dry top is really popular right now. I am sure you could recover a great deal of your cost. Then call Gerri. ;-)

Denise
Member:
Dove2

Posted on Tuesday, Sep 5, 2006 - 1:09 pm:

Angie,
I would suggest you call Gerri first, and see if the wrong pad was shipped to you, or discuss with him why your pad isn't working. They may offer to correct the problem. If Skito can not or will not come up with a fix for the problem, then you can always turn to other avenues, like eBay.
Member:
Ajudson1

Posted on Tuesday, Sep 5, 2006 - 4:42 pm:

Hey, I called Tom today at Skito Enterprises. Explained the fit, and feedback I had got from you Dove, and you Denise. (No, didn't mention names or this website)

He said it sounded like the wrong pattern was used, and he's going to send UPS to pick it up, and what I need to do is trace an outline on the pad while it is under my saddle, and on my horse.

What a relief!!! My husband knows what it cost, (I think) and if I ever mentioned it wasn't quite right, and I am STUCK with it...well, ladies, you know how it goes with horses, horse stuff, and a non horsey husband!!!

I am also going to go with just a basic black color, 10 oz canvas duck, instead of the upholstry pattern as the color was waaay off also...minor, but hey, it's an expensive pad IMO.

Just as well have it allllll Correct!!!

Thanks ladies so much for setting me straight on this fit problem.

I may buy another one for my Aussie saddle on ebay, but I won't be selling one now.
Member:
Reese3

Posted on Tuesday, Sep 5, 2006 - 5:49 pm:

Wonderful news, Angie!! How great that he is going to fix the problem for you even though it is a tiny bit used. They certainly ARE expensive and you have every right to question it, especially since you know now that it's not the pad, but the fit. Denise
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