Buying a Back Pad

Vaulting equipment is usually purchased from overseas and back pads are made from felt or foam, however these can be costly when you include the postage.  Outlined below is a cost effective way to get you started with an inexpensive option that even the least handy person can make.

Here are samples of felt and foam pads that are available in Europe.  Dimensions and shape vary depending on the size of your horse either 110cm or 100cm. Width is max 90cm.  The smaller length is enough for a horse under 17hh.  Suppliers include Meinecke Saddlery, Kristensen Vaulting Supplies and Pegasus Vaulting Supplies.

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Making a Back Pad

lClark Rubber sell a mixed colour EVA Float Mat that is 3cm x 100cm x 200cm and two pads can be made from each sheet. The material is easily cut with an electric knife. Once covered any faults in the pad are not visible.

Variations include using 2cm pad and gluing a 1cm high density sheet of sponge to the pad with craft glue. 

Dimensions of a standard pad are 100cm long, 90cm wide and the back of the pad has the corners rounded off to allow for the horses hips. Each edge of the pad is shaved slightly to give a contoured shape to the horse. 

Pads are then covered in toweling to allow for easy removal to wash.  The pad can either be molded onto a barrel prior to use or directly on the horse but care needs to be taken to keep it central when first using it.

A Gel Pad is recommended to be used under the pad on the side closest to the horse.  A pocket or pillowcase can be sewn in the toweling cover to keep the gel pad in place.  The opening can be fastened with velcro.

A sponge is used under the surcingle and this can either be made from a length of high density foam (also available at Clarke Rubber) or Zilco make a range of pads that goes under a lungeing roller, and their largest size will fit a small vaulting roller.

Don't want to do it yourself?  Then we can make one for you.

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