Posted: 5th April 2022 | Back to news feed
Equitex have known for thirty years that their unique saddle pads provide the ultimate back protection for the horse. This year they are proud to deliver the proof....
Comparing some of the world’s most popular half pads across the full range of available materials on the market today, Equitex UK, commissioned a leading scientist to carry out an independent trial on a range of new/unused pads. Out of the eight options tested under laboratory conditions, the Equitex saddle pad offers the greatest reduction in average pressure.
Measurements of pressure distribution by different pads under loading, carried out by leading equine scientist Dr David Marlin, showed the Equitex Saddle Pad is unrivalled at distributing and reducing both the static and dynamic pressures.
Equitex was a clear winner in distributing a constant load of all the pads tested. It delivered a whopping 87% reduction in mean pressure compared with using no pad at all. This 87% reduction in mean pressure is down to the fact that the Equitex Saddle Pad has a unique composition and design, giving it a much higher contact area than any of the other saddle pads tested, therefore dissipating the forces throughout the surface area.
The dynamic testing, simulating the ridden pressures were highly significant. The Equitex pad reduced peak pressure by 84%.
The “grip” effect of the individual pads was also assessed. The Equitex saddle pad had a moderate grip, enabling it to prevent saddle movement but not too much to cause harm. Too much grip may have a damaging effect on the moving layers of muscle and tissue under the saddle. This result meets our unique 100% non-slip guarantee and therefore in our view can offer the “optimum” amount of grip whilst being gentle on the horse and totally removing the need for straps. In testing, all the products fell into 3 distinct ranges of resistance, creating 3 clear categories:
1: Low Grip - All other materials
2. Moderate Grip = Equitex
3. Extreme Grip = Gel Pads and pads with Gel or Rubber undersides
Summary
- The Equitex Saddle Pad is proven to reduce both peak and mean pressures by over 84%.
- When compared to the other saddle pads tested at reducing peak and static pressures it came out top in all tests.
- We believe our pads provide the optimum grip to prevent saddle movement
Notes:
- METHODS & MATERIALS
- All the pads used in the trial were high quality, brand new and unused.
- Pad force dissipation
The static and dynamic ability of each pad to spread force was determined by measuring the mean and peak pressure when a 15kg rubber ball was placed on the pad (static test) and when a 1kg rubber ball was dropped from a height of 1 metre (dynamic test), respectively. The area of the pad tested was either the right or left front quarter of each pad. A 57cm x 63cm pressure mat (Medical Sensor 5330, Tekscan Inc, South Boston, MA, USA) was placed on a hard worktop and connected to a laptop via an interface (Conformat, Tekscan Inc, South Boston, MA, USA). Data were collected using the Conformat Research Software V 7.6. The pad to be tested was placed on the pressure mat. For the static test, a 15kg rubber medicine ball (Bodyrip Medicine Ball, BodyRip, Harlow, Essex, UK) was placed on the top of the pad and allowed to settle for 30s. A recording of pressure was then made for 5s at 100Hz. For the drop test, a 1kg medicine ball (Trenas Rubber Medicine Ball Pro, Haest Haeddicke & Stiller OHG, Salzgitter, Germany) was dropped from a height of 1m onto the pad. Three replicates of each test were made. Recordings were analysed for contact area, and mean and peak contact pressure (kPa).
- Conflict of Interest Statement from Dr David Marlin.
“The pads to be tested were supplied by Equitex UK. The testing methods to be used were discussed with Equitex UK but they made no requests or suggestions for testing methods. The results were shown to Equitex UK before this report was produced but they made no requests for changes to the report or the data. Equitex paid for my time to undertake these tests but I do not receive any performance related income based on sales and have no other financial interest.”
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