Description
How to Use Your VersaFit™ IDX™ Pad
All-in-one pad for use directly between your horse and Hybrid Cruiser saddle. Always use VersaFit™ Shims in your pad to create a custom-contoured ideal saddle fit. Even if your current saddle fits well, placing the lifting power of our shim “Behind the Bulge” will give your horse greater freedom of movement and improve comfort and performance.
Prepare
- Determine best shim selection and placement for your specific horse and saddle
- Insert shims into pad pockets, matching ideal placement corresponding to your horse’s body
- If you need any assistance, please request your free Saddle Fit Evaluation. We will quickly guide you to position your shims correctly for full shoulder freedom and ideal saddle balance.
Position
- Place pad on horse with front lifting power of shim BEHIND the BULGE
- Position saddle on IDX™ Pad, centered front to back and left to right
- Front part of concho should correspond with the back of the scapula bone
- Pull up the front of pad, lifting it completely off the withers and into the saddle gullet/fork
- Tightening Your Cinch -We recommend at least three stages of tightening, alternating left and right
- If riding one of our NHS Western Saddles, you will have a latigo BOTH sides, which allows for more even adjustments. Alternate left and right as you tighten incrementally, keeping cinch buckles at same height on each side
- If riding a saddle with latigo on left and only a billet strap on right, do your best get the
cinch buckles as even as possible side to side - When you are half-way through the cinch tightening process, walk your horse forward a little and slide your palm under the front of the saddle to check for full shoulder clearance.
- If saddle is too tight for you to reach your full palm under, this indicates the need to check shim placement or possibly use a thicker shim to open up that space and eliminate restriction. Please don’t hesitate to contact us for assistance.
Mounting
- Always double check the security of your cinch prior to mounting.
- Mount from an elevated block whenever possible for the long-term health of your horse’s back.
Thermal Responsiveness
IDX™ viscoelastic foam provides specially engineered impact deflection properties even when fully compressed. Thermal response is inherent to the material. This means that in colder temperatures it will feel firm at first, and then gradually gain elasticity and compress as it warms between your horse and your saddle. If your pad has been stored in temperatures below 45 degrees Fahrenheit, allow a little extra time for the IDX™ foam to soften and compress, then re-check and tighten your cinch again for full security. (Note – for extremely
cold climates or long-term freezing conditions, some riders may prefer our AirPad.)
Cold Weather Riding
- IDX™ foam is viscoelastic, it will be softer in warm weather and firmer in cold.
- If you pad was stored below 45 degrees F, it will take a few minutes to warm, soften and compress
- After saddling, allow a few minutes for IDX™ to warm; full softening/compression will occur once raised to your horse’s body temperature.
- Prior to mounting, we recommend moving your horse on the ground a bit to quicken the IDX™ warm up
- Due to the unique compression qualities of IDX™, you may need to tighten your girth an extra time or two
- Always double check the security of your girth prior to mounting
- Mount from an elevated block whenever possible for the long-term health of your horse’s back.
Care and Cleaning of Your VersaFit™ IDX™ Pad
- Check out our handy VersaFit™ Pad Scraper to quickly and easily remove hair & dirt
- After heavy rides, or as desired, we recommend hosing the underside of pad with water, then hang dry
- If a deeper cleaning is needed, remove IDX™ foam inserts, submerge pad in mild soapy water, rinse and hang dry
