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Heat Absorption and Conductivity     Saddle Pad Cover     Tried and True! 

Why the Gel?
The gel in Gel-Ride™ saddle pads was developed in response to the need for a saddle pad that would conform to the horse during riding. The Gel-Ride pad helps prevent pressure, concussion and saddle fitting problems  while making your horse more comfortable.

What Is the Gel?
The Gel-Ride™ gel is a cross-linked elastopolymer with micro dispersions of a naturally occurring liquid oil placed in the polymer's matrix. These micro- oil droplets are fixed in place by their shape so they will never bleed out as will happen with some of the gel coated products. The Gel-Ride™ gel is cast in shape and then reinforced on the surfaces to add strength while maintaining maximum flexibility.

How Does It Work?
When pressure is exerted on the Gel-Ride™ pad, the elastopolymer deforms with the oil droplet helping disperse the load. As more pressure is applied, the resistance to deformation increases, thus slowing the shock in a controlled manner and eliminating it entirely over time. This all occurs over a fraction of a second. When the pressure is released, the pad rapidly returns to its original shape and is ready to absorb the next shock.

Better than Foams!
Gel-Ride™ gel removes the shock and disperses the load better than foams because the highly mobile oil droplets in the gel are non-compressible and deform with the elastopolymer as a load is applied, but the pad never "bottoms out." There is always more shock absorption available with almost any level of load. Foam pads (closed or open cell foams) are often stiff and will always "bottom out" since there is only highly compressible air in the foam.

Heat Absorption and Heat Conductivity
Gel-Ride™ gel acts as a conductor to heat. It will absorb heat from the horse's back and conduct it away from the horse. Foams, on the other hand, are excellent insulators and will trap the heat, causing sweating and potential sores.
Gel-Ride™ pads may be heated in warm water or a microwave or cooled in cold water or a refrigerator to warm or cool the horse's back.

Gel-Ride™ Saddle Pads Cover
The cover on the Gel-Ride™ pad is made from highly durable four way stretch cotton polyester blends woven in a twill pattern. This combination of construction and material allows maximum pliability and suppleness to the Gel-Ride™ saddle pad.

Tried and True!
The Gel-Ride™ pad is made for long-lasting, rugged use. Gel-Ride™ saddle pads have been around for many years, and many of the first manufactured pads are still in use. Over the years we have further improved the long life of our pads with increased internal reinforcing and improved sewing methods.