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Ride Naturally with Torsion®

By Lag Horse

all TORSION® items patent pending

Medi-Cheval® Saddle pads

 <'\___~
.... ( \...)\.....
Ride Naturally,
Go Treeless !!

Being a treeless saddle, the Torsion's® function very much depends on the accessories used. This particularly applies to the type of pad being used.  Unsuitable pads in connection with the Torsion's® may injure the horse's back, caused by, for example, localized strain, heat accumulation, chafing or a lack of freedom of the withers or the spinal column.   A Torsion's® pad therefore has to meet highest demands.  Medi-Cheval®, has designed a pad which can be a perfect complement to the Torsion's®.  Owing to its anatomically formed backside & its fit which was specially developed for the Torsion®, this pad offers a perfect seat.  The well-known hollow fibre pile of Medi-Cheval®, being extremely kind to the skin, is processed towards the horse's back without any seams.   This type of pile is also used in human medicine & is dermatologically tested.  For its top side, a special breathable suede-like micro fibre cloth is used which, owing to its texture, is no slip.  In the area where the girth is located, the pad is protected by an extremely wear-resistant trimming.   If the horse starts to sweat, the pad, due to its sandwich-like structure, absorbs the moisture to some extent. Once the pad is saturated, the remaining fluid runs out from under the pad.  Heat accumulation is prevented by the material used & the technical structure.  At the same time, despite the breathability, excessive moisture cannot penetrate through to the Torsion© sadd;e & the rider, making the rider feel like sitting on a hot sponge.  In this way, the Torsion® is saved as well.  The fact that the Torsion's® is of an extremely low weight is highly valued not just by distance riders.  The Medi-Cheval®,  pads – anatomical back form for the Torsion's® are available in many designs, short, long, Bora, Dressage or square.  Colors are Charcoal Grey {black}.  Colors can be custom ordered.   Special orders can be placed for a Medi-Cheval® pad to fit your traditional Western saddle.
 

Bora Shape in Blue, custom color.

There are 4 main inserts described below. 
 

Charcoal Grey Pad The short saddle pad is designed to fit under Torsion's® sizes 14" – 16".  - With size 14", the blanket is slightly larger, offering some additional space.  - With size 16", the blanket is nearly flush with the saddle.  The saddle pads come with XL-sized {28mm}Shock-Absorb-Stripes.

      
                  28mm -XL insert

The long saddle pad is designed to fit under Torsion's® sizes 16"-19".   With size 16", the blanket is slightly larger, offering some additional space.   With size 19", the blanket is flush with the saddle.  The saddle pads come with XL-sized {28mm} Shock-Absorb-Stripes.   The pads can also be fitted with a thinner 23mm insert.
This saddle pad is suitable for horses having higher withers.
 

All the pads can be attached to the front by the pommel & the back by the cantle D ring of the Torsion's® by means of Velcro fasteners.  In this way, a free channel for the spinal column is created, preventing the pad from sliding downwards or backwards, thus guaranteeing an optimum degree of freedom to both the withers & the spinal column.

Check the amount of freedom provided to the withers & the spinal column by using a riding-crop or lead rope. This test must be done with the girth fastened & the rider sitting on the horse.  Always make sure that both the spinal column & the withers are free from pressure from the rider or the girth.   By using Shock-Absorb-Stripes {SAS} & inserts of varying thickness, the pad's thickness can be varied, i.e. increased or decreased on an individual basis & be adjusted to the horse's back if extreme locations of the saddle are required or in the case of heavier riders.   If the girth or the stirrup suspension area transmits too much pressure, the affected area can specifically be padded by Velcro fastening on additional small inserts.   These inserts are attached to the enclosed Shock-Absorb-Stripes with Velcro.  Using these inserts, the saddle can be punctually padded in the front, middle & back portion.  In this way, both the rider's centre of gravity & his seat position can be changed as desired/needed.   Particularly strained places such as the girth or the withers area, can be additionally padded & be protected from pressure.  This pad enables the rider to pad his pad himself & to try out the possibilities offered, in order to achieve the results that suit him best.
The Medi-Cheval® pad is one of my personal favorites :)

The extra inserts are offered in a few ways:

A Medi-Cheval® Saddle Pad  shape with SAS insert.  [SAS 23mm {L} or SAS 28mm thick {XL}]
These inserts can be used alone or in combination with the other inserts. The 28mm insert is included with all pads.  These inserts have a velcro band on them for the smaller inserts to attach to.  Shown below is a photo of an SAS with a 10-20mm insert attached.  This rectangular shape insert is available in two different widths:
a)     adjustable from a 5 – 10 mm width InsertXL
b)     adjustable from a 10 – 20 mm width InsertXXL
You can double up on the standard SAS insert in the case of a VERY pronounced backbone or heavy weight rider.  So you could use two SAS 23mm, 2 SAS 28mm or 1 SAS 23mm & a SAS 28mm.
 

InsertXL  5-10mm or InsertXXL 10-20mm thick.  These inserts attach to the standard SAS inserts with velcro.  Most common is the position shown above for a horse with high withers.  The inserts can be halved or folded into thirds as needed.  It can also be placed in any desired place along the velcro torward the center or rear of the pad. The left edge in the picture faces the horse's head.

This is an example of the insert described above folded into 3rd's to give extra lift for an extremely narrow withered horse or a horse who is very low in the front end.  The insert may also be folded in 1/2.
It is very important that the wood of the pommel rest completely on the inserts.
 

A rounded shape insert to pad the front or back portion
of the Torsion's® saddle.   {Girth Polster} 
 It is most commonly used to pad the middle portion
of the saddle pad under the stirrup bars.
It can also be a shim for the front or rear.

This is how they slide in:

Another benefit offered by the pad is that it is very easy to handle.  If machine-washed (for your horse's sake please use neutral soap), the pad will be dry again in just a few hours.  Prior to washing the pad, please remove the Shock-Absorb-Stripes {SAS} & the extra inserts.  The inserts are NOT machine-washable.   Only wash them by hand using lukewarm water.   The pad itself can be machine-washed at 30°C - 86°F without any problems & be spin-dried at a maximum of 800 rpm.   Remember for your horse's sake, please use a pH neutral detergent.   Please wash pad before first use.

The Medi-Cheval® pads are available in charcoal-grey.  Other colors available by request and are custom. NO RETURNS.  Special orders include a  Medi-Cheval® Square shaped pad for you Torsion© saddle as well as shapes for your traditional Western saddle. 

info@gotreeless.com
631-345-2644
Jeannean Mercuri
PO Box 136, Ridge, New York 11961-0136 USA
Hours: 8am-8pm Monday - Friday
10am -2pm Saturday
 EST please
closed when riding,
tending to the family
& on Sundays

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  ©Pride Treeless Saddles 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005,  2006 & 2007
{If you see something here that shouldn't be, please let me know.  I tried my best.  If you see something you'd like to use just ask :) }