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Products
“SKITO – EQUALIZER FOAM”
Skito-Equalizer Open Cell Foam is a most unique material that was developed by NASA for the seats in jet fighter airplanes. The foam was designed to absorb the immense concussion and compressive forces created when the pilot had to eject if the plane was going down. The foam was later used in wheelchair seats for paraplegics and was credited with preventing most cases of decubitus ulcers (bedsores). It found its way into the horse pad world through Skip and Tito Gleb. The Gleb’s were endurance riders and friends of Dr. Ridgway. Skip, an engineer saw the potential to help the sore backs often experienced by endurance horses in the 80’s. The pads were so successful the Gleb’s, who were retired and wanted to spend time riding, ended up with a business much larger than they wanted, and so eventually the business was sold to Tom Clark of “Carousel” – manufacturers of equestrian clothing. Tom formed a division to carry on the Skito pad line of products. See www.carouseltights.com. We are proud to carry these products as one of our means of helping you solve saddle fit problems.
Endurance Riding is one tough test for all pads materials, and the effect of pads on saddle fit. This foam has stood up to the rigors of endurance and has proven itself to be an excellent material for pads. Though it must be emphasized that no pad is a good alternative to a proper fitting saddle, this foam is so versatile that it can be shaped for any saddle and back conformation. It can be used to make many saddles that other wise might be discarded, adequate for the job intended.
Its open cell character makes it light and gives it the ability to “wick” away sweat so the back can remain cool. It can absorb up to 90% of concussion forces. With a proper fitting saddle it can make for a happier ride for both horse and rider. Riders with bad backs will certainly appreciate these pads
SKITO-EQUALIZER “BRIDGE” PADS
Let me define “bridge” as an area where the panel or bar riding above and not making contact with the horse’s back over a specific area. Bridge pads are designed to fill these areas and used in conjunction with a regular pad of your chosen thickness to compensate for conformational or postural deviations that affect the fit of conventional saddles. These include horses that are croup high, have lordosis (“sway backed”) or have very outset shoulders with a hollow behind the scapula, or for horses who have atrophy in the “wither pocket” (where the points of an English type saddle or the fork of the tree of a Western type saddle is located.
Usually they are placed between the saddle and the pad that is against the horse, but can work well when placed directly on the horse.
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