Review: Roma Sheepskin All Purpose Saddle Pad

 Since I started riding Chester, I had to try out different saddle pads to find one that fit without slipping during the ride. Slipping saddles and pads can be uncomfortable for Chester and really any horse, so finding a good pad is important. Chester gets irritated and grouchy when his pad doesn't fit properly, making him harder to ride, which is probably why I took a few spills on him. The one I ended up getting works really well. It is the Roma Sheepskin Saddle Pad, a product that I am very pleased with. It fits Chester perfectly, and the saddle doesn't slip at all when I ride in it. Chester is very happy when I ride with it.

 I got the product for $72.00(it has gone up a bit since then) through Stateline Tack and I'd say it is worth the money. It is of good quality, the sheepskin underneath it is soft, and the pad seems to be comfortable for Chester. The pad even has some sheepskin on the part that goes right in front of the pommel, making it easy to align with the saddle to put it on well. Another plus is that the pad is just the right thickness; not too thick or too thin.

This is how it looks like when on Chester.

It looks nice with the saddle and I love the product. I would recommend it to others looking for a good quality sheepskin pad at a decent price.

Note: I am in no way compensated by Stateline Tack or Roma for writing this post. These are my own thoughts on the product.

Product Review: Lexol Equine Quick Wipes Leather Conditioner

 Yesterday I bought a dressage bridle and a set of reins at the local tack store, which sells used tack. I'm allowed to use Chester's stuff, but his owner, Jessica, rides him in a milder bit than I do, and it is time consuming for each of us to have to change the bit when we ride. The bridle I bought is in good condition, although it was a bit dry so I bought some Lexol Equine Quick Wipes Leather Conditioner. The local feed store where I bought it is small and consequently doesn't contain many brands to choose between, so that's what I bought. I wanted to share my experience with you. Keep in mind that as a new equestrian, I don't have experience with different brands so merely describing my results rather than comparing the product to others.

credit

 The product cost $8.99 at the feed store(cheaper at Dover) and came with 25 wet wipes similar to those you would use to wash your hands with on the go, except they were soaked in leather conditioner. When I started, the bridle was a little bit dry, but after wiping it down, it is soft and moist. The only downside is that it took a lot of wipes to do the whole bridle, though that may be because I was generous with the amounts I used and made sure to thoroughly condition it. Since you don't have to pour/rub the conditioner onto wipes of your own, they are quick and easy to use, and not messy. Consequently, I think they would be great for wiping down tack before a show or quickly before you ride.

 Next time I may buy a product other than wipes, but I think Lexol Quick Wipes could be good to have around if you are in a hurry. What kind of leather conditioning products do you use and what would you recommend?