SQUISH Pad - English

The English SQUISH Pad is a next-generation saddle pad that uses science to improve the three most important factors that influcece saddle fit and horse/rider comfort. They are: 1. Pressure distribtion 2. Impact absorbtion 3. Spine/wither protection The key to the SQUISH Pad's effectiveness is the dampening gel foam and soft felt blend used to make the inner "squish" panels.  You can think of it like a "squish sandwich", where a soft layer of felt is held between two pieces of squishy gel foam.  We arrived at this material composition by testing many different materials with a BodiTrak pressure sensing mat, ultimately settling on this materail blend because it gives the lowest peak and average pressure readings compared to every other saddle pad and material combination we tested it against. That sounds neat, so how does it address the 3 key fit areas? Pressure distribution When you place a saddle on the squishy panels, it sinks into the pad most at the highest points of pressure and least at the lowest points of pressure. This characteristic of the squish panels works to fill in the gaps under the saddle to even out the pressure carried over the horse's back. In addition to the gel foam, the inner felt panels act as diffuser of pressure and further even out the weight distribution over the back. Impact Absorption This might sound a little crazy, but the "impact" to a horse's back while riding is actually quite low... we know this because we measured it. Many brands that attempt to solve impact absorption with high impact foams and plastics (similar to a skateboarding knee pad), but they are solving the wrong problem. This is because the PSI exerted over a horse's back is typically in the 2-4 PSI range (which is low). For perspective, an adult will exert over 10 PSI on the ground just walking. The data shows that the way to make a horse comfortable and protect against soreness is to dampen all the small movements under the saddle, similar to a car's shocks that soak up all the imperfections in the road to make for a smooth ride. That is exactly what the gel foam panels do. They dampen the movements to make for a more comfortable ride for a horse and rider.  Whether you or your horse has a sensitive back, the SQUISH Pad can help. Spine & Wither Protection Every saddle fitter will agree that there should not be any pressure on a horse's spine or withers. The SQUISH Pad has two critical features that make sure your horse is safe. First, the entire spine channel is elevated and open to keep the spine completely free and ventilated. Second, front of the pad is built with an adjustable wither system that enables it to be setup in three configurations: low wither, high wither and wither freedom. This ensures the pad contours perfectly to your horse's specific topline. Dial in the Fit The SQUISH Pad is compatible with shims, to allow for a more precise saddle fit - even if your saddle isn't fit perfectly to your horse. Additionally, it is offered in jump and dressage specific cuts that shape better to the contours of each style of saddle.  FAQs What is it made of? The outer pad material is microfiber on top, which grips to the saddle and prevents slipping. The bottom is a soft medical grade fleece for a delicate touch to the horse. It looks thick. Does it add bulk under my saddle? The squish material in the pad compresses by 70% (or more) when in use. Even though it looks thick, it add the same (or less) bulk than a traditional sheepskin pad. Is it machine washable? Yes. Just remove the inner squish panels and the outer pad shell can be thrown in the washing machine.