Back on Track Dressage Saddle Pad Review

ALL THE BOT

Back on Track products have been all the rage for quite some time now. I've been slow to jump on the bandwagon because it's a very expensive bandwagon to be on and I had enough of those already.

But.

I snapped up a pair of polos a couple months back because a local friend was selling them for a steal and I wanted them. Then I found another pair for another steal.

And that set forced me to jump on the Back on Track band wagon. Courage is a princess OTTB who likes to stock up random legs willy nilly, have massive overreactions to tiny cuts on the regular, and generally get odd fill in odd places that make me not happy. I found that with the Back on Track polo wraps, the random swellings would go down faster and stay tighter than leaving the legs bare, using boots, or using standard polos (to ride. Never leave polos on overnight).

it does look lovely in action

THAT fascinated me. I mentioned my impulse buy of a Back on Track saddle pad a couple weeks back. I figured that Courage has a lot of miles on him and any little thing that might help is worth exploring. I love how it looks. I love how it's cut. I love the color. It sits great under my saddle and doesn't shift or bunch,

Honestly, I figured that even if it didn't have magical properties, it was still a very nice pad and I was enjoying it quite a bit.

Back on Track Dressage Pad in Navy
Retail Price: $90
What I paid: $90 and they threw in free polos

clean, tight, and rubbing

But then I saw it.

Courage was developing some thin spots in his hair, which is normal for his princess self in the summer. What wasn't normal was the very-odd placement.

I didn't put two and two together until after a hard ride the other day.

Oh. Oops. Sorry buddy.

huh I wonder if he's asymmetrical

I maintain that this is a very well-made pad, but the binding on the pad is more nylon than cotton, and it completely disagrees with Courage's very fine hair and low tolerance for anything strange.

Big sigh here. I'm very disappointed. I'd like to just say "oh, that's Courage, but I've never had problems with him rubbing in this location before and I've used all kinds of pads on him and never seen something like this.

I was hoping to come here and write a super positive review. I was really excited to try this pad out in the colder months, when it can take Courage a while to get warmed up.

Unfortunately, I'm pulling it out of the regular rotation for now and I really can't recommend it. It's a shame, because it's a really pretty pad and other than that, I quite like it.

No Regrets Chicken Strikes Again

I'm back on a total tack spending freeze because... well...

I spent some time with an out-of-state friend this past weekend. We went to a tack store like:

me. she was fine.

I was just sure I'd spend $30 or less on something simple like shampoo or bell boots, right up until I saw... IT.

again, me

 I picked it up. I put it down. I picked up it. I waffled, I justified, I, uh...

me and item

Yeah tangoed right out the front door with that bitch.

What was this glorious prize, you might be asking? Well.

do you see it?

I need to do a write up, but I'm really loving my Back on Track polos. And they had the BOT saddle pad. In navy. Dressage. With another set of free polos with purchase of saddle pad. Plus I ended up with a matching sparkle bonnet.

I think it's time for another round of this:

fact

In other news, I'm not buying anything for the indefinite future again. Completely unrelated.