Equifit ImpacTeq Half Pad | Product Review

It’s no secret that I am a saddle pad lover and hoarder. Despite my love for saddle pads, I am not a big collector of half pads. The only half pad I have ever owned up until now was a ThinLine as my custom saddle never needed any extra padding. But with Diablo getting older and not as fit as he used to be, his saddle has gotten a tad too wide for him. While I start to rebuild his topline and get him back in shape, a half pad will help fill in the gaps between him and the saddle to help it fit him better in the meantime. Plus, it definitely wouldn’t hurt to have a nice half pad for my trainer to use when she rides Diesel in her saddle. It’s a win-win situation. 😉

In my search for a good half pad, my curiosity got the best of me when I saw an Equifit half pad for sale on a Facebook group for a really good price. I just had to try it out!

I am a huge fan of Equifit’s line of protective boots. Their T-Foam EXP2 Open Front Boots have been a staple in my tack trunk for the past four years. Yes, that’s right, they have held up to weekly wear and tear for four years and are still going strong. Since I love their open front boots so much, deciding to purchase one of their half pads was a no-brainer.

Diablo in his Equifits four years ago!

Diesel wearing the same pair of Equifits!

According to Equifit, the ImpacTeq Half Pad is “designed to absorb extreme impact” and “provides the ultimate protection for both horse and rider”. They also claim that the ImpacTeq Technology allows the pad to contour to the horse’s back to provide a custom fit while “an open-cell non-newtonian foam transforms from soft to rigid upon impact”.

The half pad itself comes in a variety of colors including black/black, black/brown, black/navy, black/green, black/red, and black/black ostrich. If you want to take the pad into the hunter ring, don’t worry, Equifit makes a fleece cover for it. The pad itself retails for around $259 and the cover retails for $86. While it is pricey, I do feel that you are paying for an excellent quality product.

The first thing I noticed about my Equifit ImpacTeq Half Pad in black/black ostrich was how sleek and simple the exterior of the pad was. I am the type of person that prefers my half pad to not stand out or clash with the saddle pad I choose to put under it. The black/black ostrich combination looks sleek and sophisticated and adds a bit of flair to the pad without becoming overbearing. It looks beautiful and doesn’t distract from the horse, which I love!

Not only does it look beautiful, but it fits my horse well! My biggest pet peeve when it comes to half pads are pads that lift the saddle way off of the horse’s back and cause it to perch atop the horse. I hate it with a fiery passion. When I first received the pad and pulled it out of the box, I was a little nervous that the thickness of the pad would do just that, but to my relief, it softened and contoured to my horse’s back allowing the saddle to rest as if the pad was not there. The pad seems a little stiff at first, but once it is on the horse, the horse’s body heat warms up the pad and softens the foam allowing for a more custom fit. I found that the exact same thing happens with their protective boots as well. If you are familiar with their boots, you know exactly how that feels.

While I didn’t notice any overly dramatic changes in Diablo’s movement, I did notice that he seemed a little looser through his back and warmed up a little quicker than he usually does without using the pad. He definitely seemed a little more comfortable than normal. The same thing can be said when I put it underneath my trainer’s saddle on Diesel. I can also say that I didn’t feel perched atop of my horse while riding in the pad. I actually felt that I maintained a close contact feel throughout the whole ride.

Peep the Equifit ImpacTeq Half Pad underneath my saddle

Diesel schooling in the Equifit ImpacTeq Half Pad

When the ride was over and I removed the pad, neither of them was overly sweaty underneath the pad which was a huge plus. It must be pretty breathable as Diablo has a tendency to sweat like a pig! He actually seemed quite cool despite the summer heat. Once off, all I did was wipe it down with a damp towel and it was good to go for the next ride. Plus, it has held up extremely well and looks brand new despite me buying it already used from its previous owner.

Overall, I can without a doubt say that Equifit’s ImpacTeq Half Pad is worth the money! If you are in the market for a half pad that is sleek, stylish, and has superb craftsmanship, definitely give this one a try!

 

 

 

 

My Current Favorites | Early 2018

If there’s one thing I love, it’s trying out new tack and horse-related products. I don’t usually get to splurge on high-end horse products very often due to my unfortunate limited bank account, but when I do get the chance, I go for the stuff I’ve been drooling over for a long time. If you’re looking for your next splurge-worthy list of items, look no further for I have made a list of my current favs!

Galloping Graphics

The search is over – Galloping Graphics is your one-stop shop for everything custom. Not only did Elizabeth do an AMAZING job with my new logo, but her shop carries some great items such as custom stickers, mugs, t-shirts, and beautiful custom graphics. I can’t put into words how much I love my new logo and the items in her shop! They are truly unique!

SmartPak Air + Neoprene Girth

If there is something that I couldn’t live without, it would be this girth. I have one for both of my guys and won’t use anything else as an everyday girth. In fact, Diablo has had used his every day since I got it in 2016. They are so easy to clean with the removable neoprene lining, and both ponies seem to think they are pretty comfortable.

The Herbal Horse’s Healthy Hair Salve

I’m a little obsessed with The Herbal Horse’s products now that I have been using them for the past few weeks. However, their Healthy Hair salve really stood out to me due to its luxurious smell and the results I have had with it.

CWD French Noseband Bridle

This honestly has to be my favorite item that I have ever purchased off of eBay. I got lucky and snagged this gem for $200 – it retails for $500 brand new on CWD’s website. The best part is that it only had five rides on it when I purchased it! It has now become a part of Diesel’s show wardrobe and looks fabulous on him! Plus, the leather is so soft and supple that it feels like butter in your hands. I was really surprised that I actually liked the more narrow noseband as I gravitate towards wider noseband bridles. However, the noseband on this one really shows off Diesel’s features.

 

Saucy Piaffe Ergonomic Fancy Stitched Halter

I definitely splurged a lot on this purchase even though I snagged it while on sale. I have to say, it was definitely worth it though as the halter is just beautiful! Saucy Piaffe is so great that I have been a repeat customer of their’s for quite some time. All of their products are great!

Back On Track Quick Wraps

As a standing wrap girl, I told myself that I would never own a pair of these. But alas, the temptation was too strong after the baby horse decided that taking standing wraps off is fun. They are definitely pricey, but the ease of putting these on and taking them off makes it worth it.

D sporting his brother’s BOT Quick Wraps

Dy’On Rubber Working Reins

I ended up buying these reins spur of the moment off of a Facebook group when I found them for a price I just couldn’t pass up on! These reins are usually pretty pricey, but I managed to snag them brand new for $40. They have flat buffalo leather fronts, which I have found makes them super durable. Plus, the rubber portion of the reins is probably the grippiest rubber I have ever felt on a pair of reins.

 

Back On Track Back Pad

This is one of several BOT products that have made my list. As it turns out, I am an avid fan of BOT. In fact, I own several of their products and use them all the time. I bought BOT’s back pad on a whim for $30 from a Facebook group in an effort to try and avoid forking out the money for one of their coveted mesh sheets. At first, I wasn’t quite sure how I was going to like the pad, but it has quickly become a staple in Diablo’s warm-up routine.

Ogilvy Baby Pads

This is probably no surprise to anyone. I’m a saddle pad hoarder with an affinity for anything that is customizable.

 

 

 

Oglivy Saddle Pads: Worth the Hype?

I am what you would call a “saddle pad hoarder”. To be exact, I am an Ogilvy saddle pad hoarder. I absolutely adore their line of saddle pads and baby pads, and my tack trunk can attest to that. At the moment, there are six Ogilvy baby pads, one profile pad, and a hunter shaped pad neatly folded inside of my tack trunk. I would definitely have more if my bank account would allow it! 😉

Every time I log onto my computer I see questions surrounding Ogilvy’s line of baby pads and saddle pads. I thought now would be the perfect time to go ahead and write out a thorough review since I have been using their baby pads for quite a while now. I have not ventured into their other specialty pads as I am not a fan of their memory foam additions.

 

Fit: The main difference between Ogilvy’s baby pads and their regular profile pads is the size difference. Of course, their baby pads are smaller and more fitted to the saddle, which I actually prefer. I find that their baby pads aren’t as likely to bunch up under the girth compared to their profile pad due to their shorter length, which is ideal for short flapped saddles like mine. I have noticed that the absence of the billet straps on their baby pads is not a huge deal for me. I haven’t had any of my baby pads slip underneath my saddle during my rides. However, the profile pad I own has slipped despite the presence of the girth strap. I am attributing the slippage to the less than ideal fit of the pad underneath my short flapped CWD. Plus, it could have something to do with the shapes of my guys’ barrels. Overall, in my opinion, I feel that their baby pads have a superior fit to their profile pads as they slip less and fit neater up under shorter flapped saddles.

Diablo with his custom UGA baby pad!

Diesel lunging in an Ogilvy profile pad and the same saddle as above.

Diablo in the same profile pad with the same saddle.

Customization: When it comes to customizability, Ogilvy doesn’t disappoint. With ten body color options, 27 piping colors, and 20 binding colors to choose from, choosing a color combination can be quite the task! There are so many great color combinations to choose from to create the pad of your dreams. Need to add a billet strap to your baby pad? No problem! Want to order saddle pads with a custom logo on it? Consider it done! The range of customization is downright impressive. All you have to do is give their customer service a quick email and your saddle pad dreams will come true! Not to mention, their monogramming is top notch with sturdy stitching and bright thread. I ordered a baby pad with UGA’s distinctive G embroidered on it, and it turned out absolutely beautiful! I get compliments on it all the time, and it has held up beautifully with every wear and wash. Even ordering a pad with their logo on it looks classy enough to take into the jumper ring. Customization is definitely Ogilvy’s strength.

Diesel wearing a burgundy Ogilvy baby pad with my monogram on it.

Diesel showing off a navy Ogilvy baby pad with pink piping and grey binding.

Washing Durability: On their website, Ogilvy states that their saddle pads are stain-resistant and anti-bacterial/anti-fungal. Surprisingly, I have found this to be true! The two white bodied baby pads that I own have definitely not been babied. They have gotten dirt and mud smeared on them, sunscreen spilled on them, and even hoof polish was spilled onto the side of one. Despite the abuse, they both come out of the wash sparkling white and looking brand new. (I will definitely post pictures when I can make it out to the barn to get some!) None of the stains stick! Now that is downright impressive! Every single pad I own gets a good wash in the washing machine once every two weeks to keep them smelling fresh and clean. All of my other saddle pads that are not Ogilvy tend to fade and lose their shape over time. However, despite the frequent washing, all of my Ogilvy pads still look brand new and still hold their shape. Plus, the stitching on all of the pads is holding firm. Ogilvy was right, they are durable!

 

To give you an idea, my saddle has a 2L flap!

 

Shipping Time: Sigh. The one downside of ordering one of their pads directly off of their site is that their shipping time usually ranges from 3-4 weeks. That being said, it really isn’t too terribly long to wait when you consider that they are custom made just for you. However, it is just so hard to wait! If you want a saddle pad for a specific event, I would advise that you order it at least two months in advance. Since they are based out of Canada, shipping into the US can take a little longer than normal.

Ratings: Considering all of the pros and cons of these pads, I would give Ogilvy’s baby pads a 10/10 and their profile pads an 8/10. In my opinion, Ogilvy’s baby pads outperform their profile pads in terms of fit and overall value. They just seem to work better for me and my boys. That isn’t to say that their profile pads won’t suit your horse!

Overall Impressions: If you are considering ordering a saddle pad from Ogilvy, do it! You definitely won’t be disappointed! Personally, I won’t buy any other saddle pads other than Ogilvy since they have worked so well for me! Not only are they stylish and classy, they are also super durable too! They definitely have my seal of approval and are, in my opinion, worth the hype. 🙂

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Despite how much I adore their baby pads, the same love does not follow their line of popular half pads. I am probably in the minority on this, but their half pads don’t impress me whatsoever. I know that they have become super popular, but I have found that they can actually be detrimental to saddle fit when used with a saddle that fits your horse. If you have a custom saddle, please don’t stick one of these memory foam half pads up under it. The thickness of the pad itself will cause your saddle to slide up onto the withers or slide to either side. The memory foam also does next to nothing to cushion your horse’s back. It condenses down so much that all it really does is add bulkiness up under your leg. The bulkiness of the pad itself is just a huge turnoff for me. That being said, if it works for you, great! An opinion is just that, an opinion. 😁 I can’t comment on the gummy half pads as I have never used one or seen one.

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I hope you all found this review to be helpful! If you have any other questions that I did not address in this post, feel free to leave me a comment! I am always glad to lend a hand! Happy riding, everyone!

 

 

 

SmartPak Blanket and Sheet Review

Who doesn’t love SmartPak? Their outstanding customer service, knowledgeable and friendly staff, fast shipping, and convenient supplement system makes them extremely popular in the equestrian community. After all, who doesn’t love a company that takes care of their customers?

My journey with SmartPak began in 2011 when I purchased my first month of supplements for Diablo. Let’s just say that it was love at first sight. Ever since that day, I have been an avid SmartPak user. In fact, both of my horses receive SmartPak supplements every month like clockwork and a SmartPak box can be found at my front door almost every other week. However, this post isn’t going to be about their supplements or other products, even though I think they’re awesome. I’m here to write about their line of blankets and sheets. After all, I do have a slight addiction to blanket shopping.

SmartPak Deluxe High Neck Turnout Sheet

I took the plunge into SmartPak’s blanket and sheet line this past November when I purchased their high neck turnout sheet for Diablo to expand his wardrobe in preparation for clipping season. I wasn’t ready to break the bank on a sheet when I had to buy a full, new wardrobe for Diablo’s baby brother. The SmartPak Deluxe High Neck Turnout Sheet caught my eye while I was browsing the site and before I knew it, it was being shipped to my house.

D sporting his SmartPak Sheet in a size 78 and BOT Quick Wraps

Fit: The sheet itself looks absolutely stunning on the horse and fits true to size in my opinion. The shoulder of the blanket is just wide enough with the cut that it allows the horse to have a full range of motion while staying snug against the body to prevent frequent snagging. If you have a horse with wide shoulders, this sheet could be the one for you – I haven’t experienced any rubs or slippage even though Diablo has wider shoulders. The material that it is made of seems to be very durable as it is made of 1200D rip-stop material. It’s high neck design also keeps Diablo dry, even in the pouring rain, and does not rub his withers like other blankets tend to do. The waterproofing of the sheet is top-notch, and he always comes in dry and warm. The stitching also seems to be quite durable and sturdy, which as we know, is getting to be pretty rare nowadays. I ordered my sheet with a red monogram on the left flank, and it looks very nice on Diablo’s black sheet.

Hardware: It’s no secret that I am a huge fan of the closures on Amigo’s Wug blankets. However, I feel that the hardware on the entire blanket is sturdy enough to withstand wear and tear while also making putting the sheet on a breeze. The quick-clip closures on the front of the sheet are relatively easy to snap in cold weather, and I haven’t had any problem with any of the snaps sticking or the straps lengthening during use.

Warranty: The deluxe sheet is covered by SmatPak’s 100% Happiness Guarantee. Despite what many people think, only the ultimate blankets are covered under their 10-year warranty.

Price: $136.76 (includes 5% USEF discount and 10% SmartPerks discount)

Rating: 9/10 – If this sheet was also covered under the 10-year warranty, I would give it a 10/10! Overall, the sheet is absolutely amazing for the price and value. I will definitely be purchasing one for Dies.

D sporting his SmartPak sheet in a size 78 and BOT Quick Wraps

SmartPak Ultimate High Neck Turnout Blanket

I managed to snag this blanket on clearance for a whopping $90 during SmartPak’s end-of-the-year sale! How could I possibly pass up on such a great deal? It has quickly become Diesel’s main blanket since his Amigo Hero has taken quite a beating. It’s no secret that young, rambunctious horses can give their blankets a run for their money. Sadly, the Amigo Hero blanket that I bought him a month ago has been torn seven times in the last month and is currently being repaired in hopes that it may last the rest of the season. Let’s just say that 600D is not strong enough to withstand the tornado that is a baby horse – lesson learned.

Diesel modeling his SmartPak blanket in a size 78

Fit: Since I bought this blanket when it was on clearance, I was limited to purchasing a size 78. I originally thought that it would be too big on Diesel as he normally wears a 75 in Amigo blankets, so I was expecting it to just become a spare to switch between both of my boys. However, the 78 fit Diesel quite well. That leads me to believe that this style runs a little on the smaller side. However, the sizing doesn’t seem to affect the shoulder area of the blanket as the cut still allows the horse to move without causing shoulder rubs and seems to provide enough give to keep the horse’s movement from being hindered. Plus, the high neck is wonderful for keeping the horse dry while grazing in the rain – Diesel has come in dry after each wear. It also is a plus that the high neck relieves wither pressure. Like the sheet, the stitching and binding seem to be very sturdy and is done very neatly. I saw some reviews on the website where people have had problems with the stitching unraveling, but I haven’t had a problem with that so far. Also, the entire blanket is very well made and seems to be extremely durable with 1050D fabric. I am keeping my fingers crossed that it will hold up to Diesel’s antics. Last but not least, the color I received, midnight blue, is absolutely stunning. However, it seems that they no longer have that color available, which is a huge bummer. 

Hardware: The hardware is the exact same as the sheet above with the quick-clip closures on the front. Like the sheet, I haven’t had any problems with any of the snaps sticking or becoming jammed or the surcingles lengthening over time. They seem to be holding up so far.

Warranty: All of SmartPak’s ultimate blankets are covered under their 10-year warranty unless you get embroidery on anywhere other than the surcingles, which is a complete bummer. I was extremely disappointed to find out that I couldn’t get it monogrammed without voiding the warranty. Despite that, the promise of a 10-year warranty on a blanket worn by a young, rambunctious horse is just too good to pass up. If you have a blanket destroyer or just a young horse, I definitely recommend you purchase it! Their customer service is awesome, so exchanging it is a breeze.

Price: $179.59 (includes 5% USEF discount and 10% SmartPerks discount)

Rating: 9/10 – Overall, I would say that the blanket is a definite competitor in the blanket market. Its quality is up there with Amigo blankets, but the 10-year warranty just puts it over the top! If you are looking for a nice, sturdy blanket, this is the one for you! I will definitely purchase it again in the future, and I will be buying several more ultimate sheets and blankets to complete Diesel’s wardrobe. I only docked a point because it doesn’t seem to fit true to size.

Diesel modeling his SmartPak blanket in a size 78 – too cute not to post!

The overall verdict: SmartPak knocks it out of the park again! Both the sheet and the blanket have exceeded my expectations so far, and they are both holding on strong. I definitely recommend that you give their blanket line a chance! After all, who could beat owning a blanket with a 10-year warranty? SmartPak, keep up the good work!