Professional's Choice
Charmayne James SMX Barrel Pad
Western Saddle Fittings/Pads
Manufacturer: Professional's Choice
Model: Charmayne James SMX Barrel Pad
Category: Western Saddle Fittings/Pads
Purchase: I am just starting to get serious with pole bending with my horse so I was looking for a serious pad. I had seen good reviews in horse magazines about these which impressed me. I payed $87 for the pad because it was from the tack store where I work and I got the employee discount.
Likes: Well my horse did seem to move more freely, he is a gaited horse so I am pretty concerned with making sure his shoulder can rotate that way it is supposed to. It did leave nice even sweat lines.
Dislikes: I dislike too much about this pad considering what I paid. First of all I feel this pad is worth $40 tops, if you want to spend a lot of money on a pad, get something else. This pad also claims to have a 'lock down effect' to prevent rolling, not so I am afraid. I will admit that I am not very athletic when comes to mounting my horse, but this was quite ridiculous. As soon as I tried to swing my leg over the whole saddle would roll to the side and I mean REALLY roll. I had to have someone hold the saddle so I could get on. Once I finally got up there is seemed to stay in place ok, just make sure you get a leg up. I also thought this pad was going to be a miracle cure for Circle Y saddle that seems to be bothering my horse some how, again not so, so I am stuck using the crumby Wintec that for some reason my horse likes. Another thing about this pad is that it absolutely reeks like horse sweat even after you only use it once. I sure had to used a lot of Febreze to make that smell go away!
Quality: Not really sure yet. It seems ok, but I haven't used it much yet and do not intend to make this an everyday saddle pad either even when I am practicing poles. I will probably just use it at gymkhanas so I look in style. The Charmayne James lettering is already worn off and that was just from being in the store along time.
Summary: Over all, I will never buy one of these again and I even considered returning it, but it is probably a little too used now. I expected a better product from Professional's Choice considering how great their SMB boots are. So if you are looking for a good barrel pad for the serious gamer..this is not your pad. If you are just starting out in gaming and you have money burning a hole in your butt pocket then go for it.
Rating: 2
Author: The Tack Store Clerk
Date: 2007-10-07
Usefulness Rating: 4.42857 out of 5.
7 reader(s) voted.
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