Half Pads & Shock Absorbers
Shock absorbing half pads help reduce pressure between the saddle and your horse's back, absorb impact during riding, and distribute the rider's weight more evenly. They improve your horse's comfort during everyday training and competitions and are an excellent choice for horses with sensitive backs, demanding workloads, or when minor saddle balance adjustments are needed.
At Greenfield Shop, you'll find a carefully selected range of gel half pads, memory foam pads, correction half pads with shims, and models with genuine or synthetic sheepskin from trusted brands such as Acavallo, LeMieux and Waldhausen. Choose a half pad that provides superior comfort, improved shock absorption and enhanced saddle stability.
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List of products
Ideal for daily use and advantageous in situations in which the horse"s back is subject to extreme jolts, for instance when jumping, trekking, playing polo or doing...
Wedge-shaped thickening at rear or front of saddle area to lift the saddle and help to neutralise slight errors in fit, even better at absorbing strong shocks.
Wedge-shaped thickening at rear or front of saddle area to lift the saddle and help to neutralise slight errors in fit, even better at absorbing strong shocks.
Wintec Riser Comfort Pad je podložka s nenápadným, nízkoprofilovým dizajnom, ktorá poskytuje zdvih a priestor pozdĺž celej dĺžky sedla. Jej anatomicky tvarovaná štruktúra...
Wintec Riser Comfort Pad je podložka s nenápadným, nízkoprofilovým dizajnom, ktorá poskytuje zdvih a priestor pozdĺž celej dĺžky sedla. Jej anatomicky tvarovaná štruktúra...
Why use a shock absorbing half pad?
A shock absorbing half pad helps protect your horse's back by reducing pressure and absorbing impact created during riding. It distributes the rider's weight more evenly, increases comfort, and can improve saddle stability, making it an excellent choice for everyday schooling, competitions and long training sessions.
However, even the highest-quality half pad cannot replace a properly fitted saddle. It should be used to enhance comfort or make minor adjustments rather than compensate for an incorrectly fitting saddle.
How to choose the right half pad
The ideal half pad depends on your horse's needs, saddle fit and riding discipline.
- Gel half pads provide excellent shock absorption while improving saddle stability.
- Memory foam half pads adapt to your horse's back and distribute pressure evenly.
- Correction half pads allow you to adjust saddle balance using interchangeable shims.
- Sheepskin half pads offer exceptional comfort and are ideal for horses with sensitive backs.
If you're unsure which model is best for your horse, we recommend consulting a qualified saddle fitter.
Complete your tack
For the best results, combine your half pad with a quality saddle pad, girth, and other well-fitted tack to maximise your horse's comfort and saddle stability. If you use a correction half pad, check the shim placement regularly and adjust it as your horse's musculature changes.
Discover our range
Our collection includes:
- Shock absorbing half pads
- Gel half pads
- Memory foam half pads
- Correction half pads with shims
- Genuine and synthetic sheepskin half pads
- Replacement shims for correction half pads
We also recommend exploring our selection of saddle pads, girths, sheepskin accessories and saddles to create the perfect combination for your horse.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a shock absorbing half pad and a correction half pad?
A shock absorbing half pad is designed to reduce impact and distribute pressure more evenly. A correction half pad includes removable shims that allow you to fine-tune saddle balance and compensate for minor asymmetries.
Which is better: a gel or memory foam half pad?
Both materials offer excellent performance. Gel pads provide superior shock absorption and help prevent saddle movement, while memory foam moulds to your horse's back for even pressure distribution.
How thick should a half pad be?
The ideal thickness depends on your horse, saddle fit and intended use. Standard half pads provide additional cushioning, while correction models allow customised adjustment with shims.
Can a half pad fix an ill-fitting saddle?
No. A half pad improves comfort and can assist with minor adjustments, but it cannot replace a correctly fitted saddle.
Can I use a half pad with any saddle?
In most cases, yes. The shape, thickness and material should be chosen carefully to ensure they complement your saddle fit rather than interfere with it.
When should I use a correction half pad?
Correction half pads are commonly used for young horses whose musculature is changing, after changing saddles, or when small saddle balance adjustments are required.
Why use a shock absorbing half pad?
A shock absorbing half pad helps protect your horse's back by reducing pressure and absorbing impact created during riding. It distributes the rider's weight more evenly, increases comfort, and can improve saddle stability, making it an excellent choice for everyday schooling, competitions and long training sessions.
However, even the highest-quality half pad cannot replace a properly fitted saddle. It should be used to enhance comfort or make minor adjustments rather than compensate for an incorrectly fitting saddle.
How to choose the right half pad
The ideal half pad depends on your horse's needs, saddle fit and riding discipline.
- Gel half pads provide excellent shock absorption while improving saddle stability.
- Memory foam half pads adapt to your horse's back and distribute pressure evenly.
- Correction half pads allow you to adjust saddle balance using interchangeable shims.
- Sheepskin half pads offer exceptional comfort and are ideal for horses with sensitive backs.
If you're unsure which model is best for your horse, we recommend consulting a qualified saddle fitter.
Complete your tack
For the best results, combine your half pad with a quality saddle pad, girth, and other well-fitted tack to maximise your horse's comfort and saddle stability. If you use a correction half pad, check the shim placement regularly and adjust it as your horse's musculature changes.
Discover our range
Our collection includes:
- Shock absorbing half pads
- Gel half pads
- Memory foam half pads
- Correction half pads with shims
- Genuine and synthetic sheepskin half pads
- Replacement shims for correction half pads
We also recommend exploring our selection of saddle pads, girths, sheepskin accessories and saddles to create the perfect combination for your horse.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a shock absorbing half pad and a correction half pad?
A shock absorbing half pad is designed to reduce impact and distribute pressure more evenly. A correction half pad includes removable shims that allow you to fine-tune saddle balance and compensate for minor asymmetries.
Which is better: a gel or memory foam half pad?
Both materials offer excellent performance. Gel pads provide superior shock absorption and help prevent saddle movement, while memory foam moulds to your horse's back for even pressure distribution.
How thick should a half pad be?
The ideal thickness depends on your horse, saddle fit and intended use. Standard half pads provide additional cushioning, while correction models allow customised adjustment with shims.
Can a half pad fix an ill-fitting saddle?
No. A half pad improves comfort and can assist with minor adjustments, but it cannot replace a correctly fitted saddle.
Can I use a half pad with any saddle?
In most cases, yes. The shape, thickness and material should be chosen carefully to ensure they complement your saddle fit rather than interfere with it.
When should I use a correction half pad?
Correction half pads are commonly used for young horses whose musculature is changing, after changing saddles, or when small saddle balance adjustments are required.
Not sure which half pad is right for your horse? Our team will be happy to help you choose the best option based on your horse's needs, riding discipline and saddle fit.
