Many of you asked me where I got my blue bareback pad in the picture above, so here it is. It can be very tricky to find the right equestrian products in the UAE and I thought I could help out, I’m always looking for new pieces anyways. In this article you’ll find the link where to buy a good pad and also a pretty honest review of the Intrepid International bareback pad. (I’ve been using it since July 22 and I absolutely love it!) In case you are looking for a different model, I also added a couple of additional product suggestions to make sure to cover everybody’s needs.
Why riding with a bareback pad?
First of all, let me start by saying that riding bareback, especially for long sessions, can be sometimes unbearable if the horse you’re riding is skinnier than he should or simply has a very prominent wither. The great thing about a good bareback pad is that it helps protect you from prominent withers and also improve the grip in your tights. If you are just starting for the first time to ride bareback, I also suggest you to read this bareback riding guide for beginners.
A bareback pad is a great way to get started riding bareback. But pay attention to the quality of the pad you buy. It is better to buy a more expensive but good quality pad than it is to buy a cheap pad that will not be comfortable for the horse or that will not last long. It is definitely worth investing in a good bareback pad if you are planning to hack without a saddle.
The best thing about a good bareback pad is that it will help you learn how to ride bareback a bit faster. So, if you are just getting started with bareback riding, it will add that touch of comfort (especially on the trot) that will allow you to focus only on your own balance and on your horse’s strides.
A good bareback pad that doesn’t slip over at every movement can also help your seat, balance and overall posture on the horse back. The bareback pad should fit the horse well. It should not be too big or too small. If it is too big, it will slip off the horse’s back as you ride. If it is too small or tight, it will irritate the horse’s flanks. The best way to find out if a pad fits properly is to get on the horse and take a short walk around in the paddock. When you are walking, you should still have a good grip on the pad and the same shouldn’t slip either to the flanks or towards the hindquarters even though you are not using your stirrups.
I remember spending a couple of days before finally deciding on this specific model.
Here’s all the reasons that made me decide to buy the Intrepid bareback pad:
– It’s stunning! Compared to other different models I found online, this one didn’t only look comfortable but also beautiful. This bareback pad it’s available in both black (easier to match with different bridle colors) and navy. I got the navy one. It’s actually much lighter than the usual “navy” and has a subtle shiny effect under direct sunlight.
– It is affordable compared to other good quality models. I honestly think that bareback pads over 1000 AED are overpriced. You can get a good quality pad for much less.
– One size fits all (or almost all). My Arabian horse isn’t a huge one, I was worried about receiving a very big pad that wouldn’t fit him (I usually don’t read sizes before buying). This one it’s 26” in length and 22” in width. Perfect size for any Arabian horse and average size thoroughbred.
– The non-slip material on top was a super plus for me. My main issue with bareback riding was that I constantly felt unstable (especially when wearing spandex tights). With this bareback pad I feel much more stable and I can finally focus on my posture. If I’m going for a desert stroll I usually wear jeans that give me extra grip in combination with the plush on the Intrepid bareback pad.
– Not sure you noticed already. This bareback pad comes with 4 rigging dees (2 on the front, 2 at the back). You may not have in mind how to make use of them right now but let me tell you. The rigging dees are the most comfortable way to carry around your helmet or to tie your halter rope if your horse wants to stop for a quick snack like mine always does.
– Very easy to clean. My horse constantly rolls with his bareback pad on top. This is something that I always try to avoid of course, but when he starts smelling the ground it’s already too late.
The Intrepid bareback pad it’s very easy to clean and quick to dry.
The only negative aspect is that it may take a couple of weeks to arrive in UAE or in any other country of the Gulf but trust me, it’s worth the wait!
Here are a few things I do to keep my Intrepid bareback pad neat and clean:
Before using it, I brush the cushion to remove any residual sand that may have accumulated in the tack room. I normally use my horse’s brush. After making sure that there is no visible sand, I take a lightly wet suede and start wiping the top of the pad to remove dust. I let it dry in a shady place for a few minutes and it’s ready to use!.
The underside it’s made of high density polymer and doesn’t require particular care. I usually make the pad dry completely and remove any matted hair before putting it back.
To wash it I generally use a glycerin soap bar with warm water. I usually wash it once per month depending on the usage.
Other bareback pads
If you are looking for a different model (maybe one with the stirrups) here’s other products under 1000 AED that I found interesting.
Faster delivery, cheaper backpad pad. Reviews are good for this product as well. It’s a bit bigger compared to the Intrepid, this one it’s 33×24”.
This bareback pad it’s available in 6 different colors and 2 different sizes (child pony and horse). Customer reviews are pretty good as well and seems to be a very similar model to the Intrepid bareback pad.
If you are looking for a bareback pad with stirrups this one could be a good solution even though I wouldn’t advise buying a hybrid pad such as this one.
The people who added stirrups to a bareback pad weren’t thinking about rider safety or the potential for horse injury. Stirrups can be dangerous if you’re not careful. When you add stirrups to a pad that has no tree or spinal channel, it’s easy for the pad to slip when you lose your balance and put more weight into one stirrup. This is a disaster if the rider falls free as the stirrups will be flapping underneath the horse’s body if the all pad slides on the sides.
I hope this review helped you with your choice! Have you found any other bareback pads worth considering for purchase? Let me know your comments in the section below.
