What Riders Say ... Trail Riders and Family Horses

I purchased a CSI pad after the recommendation of a friend and then trying her pad on my mare a growing young draft cross. We had a saddle that fit nicely but not "well", and with a still developing mare replacing saddles all the time just isn't an option or any fun for us. The CSI pad has made the difference between a "ok" fitting saddle and a "well" fitting saddle for us and I know my big girl thanks you very much for that! — Dawn Henderson

Ii got a CSI saddle pad the other day and im VERY impressed! i already want another! — Amanda, from Facebook

Just got my Used Pad. Doesn't look used! Rode in it first time yesterday, it made all the difference in the world. My mare was moving so much easier, worked longer, and the ride was more comfortable. I wll only use CSI Saddlepads from here forward! The used pads are a great deal and worth every penny! — Victoria, from Facebook

I saw the CSI Saddle Pad with my fiance at Cheyenne Frontier Days, we tried the pressure demo and walked away thinking we should try it out. Well we didnt buy one then but after coming home, the pads were still on our minds. We purchased some and what a difference it makes. Buck is the Palomino I ride, he is in his 20's and by far the oldest horse that goes on our rides, he usually walked slow then trotted to keep up (ALL RIDE). Sunday we used the CSI Pad for the first time and it was like he was half his age. he was at the front of the pack for 3/4 of the ride, only near the end did tire a bit. I'm very impressed with our purchase. — Luke Artymko, Alberta Canada

Last year (2010) at the Reno Rodeo I stopped by the CSI pad booth and was just absolutely amazed when they demonstrated how the CSI pad disperses weight so much better than other pads!When I went to the rodeo again this year, I just had to get one of the pads! I have 3 horses and all of them with very different shaped backs. I've got an older sway-backed thoroughbred with whithers the size of the rockie mountains, a fairly average built paint whose had some back problems before, and a very chubby little arab/quarter mare with a flat and wide back. It doesn't matter which horse I'm on or which saddle I'm in, this pad works for all three of them. I was especially amazed when the pad kept the gullet of my saddle from hitting my thoroughbred's withers! My paint comes back from 5 hour rides with no back-soreness at all and it's even helped him to become more soft in the bridle because he's not worried about his back hurting him anymore! I've tried tons of pads that claim they are 'the answer to every horse problem' but this is the one that really works! I would HIGHLY recommend them to anybody! I couldn't have got this pad any sooner! Thank you so much those who work for CSI and those who designed this amazing pad!!!! — Nikki McCollum, Nevada

I am so impressed by how you stand by your product and follow through. It is so rare these days when someone does what they say they will do...let alone so fast!! My newly refurbished pad looks great. Both my horse and I thank you. Very much. — Martha Dusell

This has taken a long time to write & it was a long time looking for the right saddle pad for both of my horses. I have a saddle that is over 50 years old and it is a good one and the other one is from my uncle. They both are in good shape and I like them both but they didn't fit all that good on either horse, at least as good as I would like, so I have spent a lot of time and money on pads that didn't work out for me or my horses. I looked for a long time and talked to a lot of people about my problem. Then I saw CSI saddle pads & I talked to Donna Helms at about five shows before I bought a western saddle pad from her and she said if I didn't like it I could sent it back to them and get my money back. After two years and all the time in the saddle with no sore spots on my horses, I would not ever return the pads. It is the best saddle pad I have found. My horses and I like the saddle pads and if I had tried CSI sooner, I would have saved a lot of time & money on sore horses. Making these purchases, has saved me big bucks on equine chiropractors. Thank you for a superior product! —Robert Taylor, Santa Maria

Thank you so much for developing the CSI Flex-Plate Saddlepad! It is now the only pad I will use on my horses, or any horses in for training. You've developed an incredible pad that removes all worry about my horse's comfort, which directly impacts his willingness and ability. As a trail rider, I often spend 7-8 hours in the saddle over all types of terrain. The CSI pad never slips, always stays in place, yet never galls my horses back. Because of the weight dispersing properties of the Flex-Plate, he never shows any signs of a sore back. Also, my wife and I are constantly stopped on trail by folks commenting on how great our pads look. As a trainer, I play with horses of all shapes and sizes, requiring a variety of saddles. The one common piece of equipment that I've been able to use on all of these horses is my CSI pad. If I can take saddle discomfort out of the equation, it makes working with other issues and/or training much easier and safer. Still not convinced that a CSI Flex-Plate Saddlepad is a must have? Watch the videos and call Donna to make sure you understand the tremendous benefits of this awesome pad. Sure, you can buy lots of pads for a lot less money. I have, but never again. — Dave Cross, Ohio

I have been riding a CSI pad on my horses since June of 2008. I have an older horse that was getting back sore, and since I have switched to the CSI pad on him, I have noy had any problems with him since. —Casey Hicks, Missouri

We bought Cimarron a 5 1/2 year old Missouri Foxtrotter in the spring of 07. My husband loves this horse for his way of going and strong personality. We love to ride - a short ride for us is 2 - 3 hours, a good ride is 5 or so. From the beginning we had problems with Cimarron's back getting sore in the loin area. We tried several different saddles (new and used / flex tree and rigid) and easily 6 or more different pads to try and fix this issue. Most new pads would help for a few rides but over time they would compress down and stay that way in the areas of pressure. In May of this year (2008) at Cross Country trail ride his back developed a pressure sore in the loin area from only a few days of riding. In August after some research and talking to another rider using a CSI pad we decided to give one a try. We were going to South Dakota for 12 days of riding out of French Creek and Willow Creek and were in desperate need of a pad that would keep this horse sound. I will admit we were both doubtful any pad was going to work. Our first ride out of Willow Creek was over 7 hours (was intentional - we were not lost except in the beauty of the ride) - we could not believe it when we unsaddled and had no soreness at all. In the past a ride like that would have resulted in the horse dropping a couple of inches from just running your hand down his back. My husband kept checking him until bedtime just sure he was going to become sore. The next day we rode up the north face of Harney - down the south and back to camp - another long day and again no soreness at all. To sum it up at the end of the trip and many good long rides this horse had not one sore spot on his back. Best of all a "Made in America" product was the answer to our problem. — Sue Wimp

I bought your pad almost a year ago. And I love it! Well worth the money! Last week while saddling up, a friend of mine noticed something sticking out of my saddle. It ended up being WOOD SCREWS the manufacturer used to put on decorative chonco's. Before I bought this pad Peddler was bucking up a storm. I bought the pad and he stopped. He does have some back issues so I thought - "Okay, the pad is doing what it's supposed to. Good!" Funny thing, after unsaddling and cleaning the pad I was noticing there were depression and wondered, "What the heck is that." I didn't think anything of it - Now I know what the depressions were from! It was the WOOD SCREWS. To my horror, the screws were poking him! Gee, I wonder why the poor thing was bucking? Duh! Lesson learned. Note to self - Listen to your horse, they're trying to tell you something. Anyway, he stopped bucking b/c the pad was protecting him from getting poked. Anyway, thank so much for a well made and awesome pad. I'm trying to talk my hubby into buying one and I'm hoping to add to my horse family and if I do I will defiantely be returning to buy your pad for him. And anytime someone asks about the pad I refer them right to your sight. Thanks again! — Norma

I wanted to let you know how fantastic my new CSI Flex Plate saddle pad is for my 17 yo TWH mare. She came with a Bob Marshall Sports Saddle. After a few months her back was getting sore in the center after repeated days of riding. Now I am not the lightest rider, and I contacted a few folks and discovered that my saddle had no bars. I even had folks tell me not to ride my saddle at my body weight. However, the saddle is so light and moves with her so well I hated to get a new one. Clay and Jacquie Harper introduced me to your Flex Plate Pad in 2007. After 3 weeks and many miles of trails, my mare's back is solid as a rock. I can mount on the trail without saddle slippage. The Flex Plates provide the structure my saddle does not have. The 1" foam supports my weight without tearing up her hide like other pads. Thanks a bunch. — Jim Sweeny and McCurdy's Blue Angel

CSI pads came to my attention through a friend who told me how great they were. He is showing in ranch horse competitions and told me of the positive results. I decided to purchase one of your western saddle pads about six months ago, and I too have been impressed with the results. In fact, my husband uses the pad on his horse; and, not long after beginning to use it, he commented that he no longer gets sore from riding. I attribute this directly to the pad, because nothing else has changed - the horse is the same, the saddle is the same, but the saddle pad changed. — Diane Horton, Horsegate Farm

The mare that I ride was having a lot of back soreness issues due to a poor saddle fit problem. We worked with Russ at R Bar B to find another saddle that would help eliminate that problem. He told me it would take 12 weeks for the saddle that I ordered to arrive. In the meantime I started to look at alternative pad choices that would possibly help with the poor saddle fit issues. I purchased a CSI Pad through Russ in December and am SO glad that I did. Not only did it help with my mare's back and her own soreness. I was AMAZED at how much better I felt. My mare is not the smoothest horse by any means and after a long days ride I would find myself rolling out of bed the next morning barely able to stand up because my back hurt so bad. Since using the CSI pad I do not have any of that back soreness. I might get sore from unused muscles, but NOTHING like the pain from the concussion on my spine that I was feeling before. I highly recommend the purchase of the CSI pad. It is well worth the initial expense and is a high quality pad that will last you a very long time. Thanks CSI for creating a pad that helps both the horse and the rider! — Brandi Lewis, Maple Hill, KS

I purchased one of your csi pads at the Illinois (March 2005) Horse Fair, from Ryan Gingerich's booth. I am a natural skeptic; I must have went back about four times. What a pad! The entire family enjoys your csi pad. Our senior horse (23) needs your csi pad's extreme cushion, he was a happy horse; what a change. Our Arab (19) is slight in conformation and can be VERY skidish, your csi pad changed her performance, immediately and amazingly. I guess I was kind of a stupid equistrian, not realizing, how wrong I had been, before csi came into my life. I feel terrible because horses backs are of utmost importance. Us too. Our two daughters ride and never finish cleaning their tack in the barn, I have to laugh, because, they know it's mine, they actually clean the csi pad up, and place it back in the nice plastic wrap it came in. The girls even air the csi pad out. I have noticed, no crushing, or wear so far. We need another couple of pads. I believe I have your western all performance csi pad. I need prices plus shipping please. Thank you and good luck. I'll spread the word. — Rachel Barraco

I bought a beautiful Mustang, Tiger. He is great! I borrowed a pad from my 4-H leader, Wendy Parker. What a difference. He loves it. I use to not be able to really brush him on his back, but now he loves it. I am looking for a new saddle so this pad really helps me have a better fit until I find my new saddle. Thank you. — Danielle Langleinger

I talked to you at the Equine Affaire and mentioned that I loved the pad that I bought from you at the Novi Michigan show. It's great. It's an edurance shape, although not finished around the edges. It's a 3/4" and feels so nice under my saddle. I know if it feels that good to me, it must be feeling good to my horse as well. I'd like to buy another one to go under my dressage saddle. The really nice thing about it is that if your saddle doesn't fit your horse perfectly, the pad helps to cushion the saddle just right so that it does. I have three horses of completely different shapes, and this pad has allowed me to use several of my saddles on all three. I know nothing can enhance a bad fitting saddle, but this pad sure helps if the saddle is slightly less than a perfect fit. I ride competitive trail, western pleasure and dressage. I feel like this pad is as versatile as I expect my horses to be. Thanks for a good product. — Joanne Coy

just wanted to take a moment and let you know how great I think your saddle pad is. I took my horse on the trail on Saturday afternoon and Sunday this past weekend. I can only say how great I think it functioned. The sweat pattern was complete and my old horse had no sore spots. He is a grade gelding with high withers, a hollowed back (he is probably at least part Saddlebred) and is about 22 years old. I have had trouble fitting him with saddle and pad in the past. I finally ordered an Australian Stock Saddle because they are made narrow enough to fit him. Your saddle pad completes the package. Donna shared with me that you are in the process of designing a saddle pad to go with the stock saddle. I purchased a barrel pad and it fits well, leaving plenty of leg contact. Whenever I get a chance to have a photo of Max and I using your saddle pad, I will be happy to send it to you to use. I would endorse your product any time. Thank you. — Elaine Anderson