Baretek English Pad
I bought the English Baretek when it first came out because it intrigued me — it looked like a really comfortable alternative to a bareback pad, since it offered more shape and support.
When it arrived, I realized that the only question I hadn’t asked was the seat size (it comes in only one size). I ride in a 17.5 or 18″ saddle and it simply wasn’t large enough. Because my legs are very long from my hip to my knee, the blocks were in the wrong place, making it uncomfortable to ride in.
The pad is well made. The suede material is “sticky” and the blocks would give you support (providing you fit). It fit my horse fine, although I would recommend using a therapeutic pad underneath it as there is no gullet. One thing I really liked about it was that it uses a dressage girth so you have none of the weird cinching issues that can occur with bareback pads.
I do think that it’s overpriced. It retails for $240-$270 and to be honest, I like my regular suede bareback pad, which cost $150, just as much. But it certainly looks cool! It sold in a flash on eBay, so lots of other people wanted to try it, too.
This is way more hlpfuel than anything else Ive looked at.
I recently purchased the Baretek Saddle Pad and also found it is not ONE SIZE FITS ALL as advertised. For me the issue was not seat size, it was that the pad does not fit my high withered thoroughbred. Even with a pad under, it just doesn’t fit her back and would put pressure on her and cause pain if I were to ride in it. Unfortunately I bought it from Tackwholesale and they say its a close out item and won’t take it back. So I’m out $255 ($225 + shipping) for a falsely advertised item. Not happy.
At first sight, I too was intrigued by the Baretek and when I got it, I was just as disappointed. I enjoy riding bareback and my pad of choice has always been the cheap simple fleece pads, but on my spirited four year old, I decided to try something that was alittle more grippy, so I was looking at suede pads. I then came across this one and after reading all the hype, I thought this was just what I needed. Boy, was I wrong.
I vouch that this is pad is falsely advertised as “one-size fits all.” The seat measures about 15 1/2 inches from the middle of the pommel to the middle of the cantle. For me, my butt can fit in the seat, but not my long legs. My knees go over the knee blocks, making this pad not only uncomfortable, but dangerous because I can’t sit properly in it. As for the horse, this pad can only fit flat-back mutton withered horses. Don’t EVEN attempt to put this on a high-withered horse.
It’s also advertised for being very comforable for both horse and rider. I found it to be quite the opposite. The seat is stiff for the rider and underneath is not cushiony for the horse at all. Therefore, you must use a soft thick pad with the Baretek pad.
Lastly, for the price you think the darn thing would come with a girth, but no! You have to go and spend another $40-70 on a dressage girth to go with it.
This pad is overrated, overprice, and I feel like a fool for being suckered into it.
I had the chance to try the Little Joe saddle — it’s essentially an upscale saddle pad and is priced similarly to the BareTek. I think it’s a heck of a lot more comfortable. Or, there are some decent treeless saddles that you can find used. Either of those would be a better choice.