Which Acavallo Half Pad Is Right For You? — The Complete Guide
With over 100 half pads in the Acavallo range, choosing the right one can feel overwhelming. This guide breaks down every technology Acavallo offers, explains what each one actually does for your horse, and helps you narrow down based on your discipline, saddle fit needs, and budget.
Quick Decision Guide
The Technologies Explained
Non-Slip Gel
What it is: Acavallo's original and most iconic technology. A transparent gel pad covered in small bulges with lateral holes. When compressed, these bulges create a cushioning effect. When released, they draw air across the horse's back.
What it solves: Saddle slip, saddle movement, overheating. The gel grips both the horse's back and the underside of the saddle simultaneously, locking everything in place without restricting natural movement. The airflow system created by the bulges keeps the back cool and dry.
Best for: Riders whose saddle shifts during work. Horses that sweat heavily under the saddle. Anyone wanting a slim, close-contact feel with maximum grip.
Available in: Full pads, cut-out pads (spine free), anatomical shapes, lightweight versions, and Dri-Lex lined models for extra moisture wicking.
Price range: From £46 / $58 for basic gel pads to £235 / $296 for premium configurations.
Memory Foam
What it is: High-density memory foam that moulds to the shape of your horse's back and the underside of your saddle. Available in standard memory foam and with Acavallo's 3D Spacer technology — a central insert that adapts to the horse's spine and improves ventilation.
What it solves: Uneven pressure distribution, saddle fit issues, back soreness. The foam becomes more compliant as it warms up with the horse's body heat, creating a custom-moulded interface between saddle and back. The 3D Spacer insert eliminates spinal pressure and improves torsion flexibility.
Best for: Horses with back sensitivity. Saddles that don't fit perfectly. Riders who want even weight distribution. The most versatile technology in the Acavallo range.
Available in: Jumping and dressage shapes. Multiple grip options — honeycomb (breathable, pressure-absorbing), louvre (textured grip), silicone grip, double-sided grip, and gel grip. Also available in withers free configurations.
Price range: £113 - £220 / $143 - $277. The largest range with 40 products covering every discipline and grip preference.
Gel & Sheepskin
What it is: Acavallo's non-slip gel combined with genuine sheepskin lining on the underside. The sheepskin sits against the horse's back while the gel sits against the saddle.
What it solves: Saddle slip plus skin sensitivity, chafing, and temperature regulation. Sheepskin is naturally hypoallergenic, wicks moisture, and provides a soft cushion that prevents rubbing — particularly beneficial for horses with thin skin or those prone to pressure sores.
Best for: Competition horses needing both grip and comfort. Horses with sensitive skin. Riders who want a premium feel and finish. Available in full and cut-out configurations, with sizes from pony through large.
Price range: £142 - £245 / $179 - $309. A premium option reflecting the quality sheepskin used.
Memory Foam & Sheepskin
What it is: The pressure-distributing benefits of memory foam combined with the comfort and breathability of genuine sheepskin. Many models in this range also feature Acavallo's hexagonal gel technology on the underside.
What it solves: The same pressure distribution as standard memory foam, plus the skin-care benefits of sheepskin. The hexagonal gel structure provides additional shock absorption with six-sided cells that allow air to circulate over the back.
Best for: Riders who want the ultimate combination — pressure relief, temperature regulation, and anti-chafe properties in one pad. Popular with dressage riders and those with horses in heavy work.
Price range: £153 - £243 / $193 - $306. The premium end of the range, combining the most technologies.
Withers Free
What it is: Any Acavallo half pad with a sculpted cut-out channel at the front that completely eliminates pressure on the withers. Available across gel, memory foam, and sheepskin technologies.
What it solves: Wither pressure, shoulder restriction, and saddle-fit issues around the wither area. The cut-out keeps the withers and spine completely free from compression, allowing greater freedom of movement through the shoulders. This is particularly important for horses with prominent withers or those that move with a lot of shoulder freedom.
Best for: Horses with high, prominent, or sensitive withers. Horses that feel restricted through the shoulder. Dressage horses that need maximum freedom of movement. Saddles that sit slightly tight over the withers.
Price range: £153 - £243 / $193 - $306. Most withers free pads combine multiple technologies (memory foam + sheepskin + gel), so they sit at the premium end.
Piuma (Featherlight)
What it is: Acavallo's lightweight line, built around EVA — an ultra-light thermoplastic material. The name "Piuma" means "feather" in Italian, and these pads weigh up to 20% less than standard Acavallo pads.
What it solves: Bulk under the saddle. Overheating. Weight. The EVA material provides cushioning and shock absorption with minimal thickness, and its ventilation system maintains airflow. It's also waterproof, non-toxic, and eco-friendly.
Best for: Riders who need a half pad but don't want to change the saddle fit. Close-contact work where bulk is a problem. Hot weather riding. Environmentally conscious riders — EVA has a lower environmental impact than traditional foam.
Available in: Standard Piuma, Respira (enhanced ventilation with EVA inserts), and withers free configurations with pocket systems for customisation.
Price range: £54 - £182 / $68 - $229. The most affordable entry point into Acavallo's range.
Risers (Front & Rear)
What it is: Gel pads with integrated wedge sections at the front, rear, or both, designed to correct saddle balance without a professional saddle refit.
What it solves: Saddle tipping forward (needs rear riser), saddle tipping backward (needs front riser), saddle bridging (needs both). These are the most practical solution for riders whose saddle fit has changed — whether because of a horse gaining or losing muscle, seasonal condition changes, or using one saddle across multiple horses.
Best for: Correcting minor saddle-fit imbalances. Riders who share saddles between horses. Young horses whose backs are still developing. Providing temporary support while waiting for a professional saddle fit.
Note: Risers are not a permanent substitute for proper saddle fitting. If your saddle consistently needs risers, consider having it professionally assessed.
Price range: £58 - £190 / $73 - $239.
Comparison at a Glance
| Technology | Best For | Grip | Pressure Relief | Breathability | Weight | From |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Non-Slip Gel | Saddle slip | ★★★★★ | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★☆☆ | £46 |
| Memory Foam | Back sensitivity | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★☆☆ | £113 |
| Gel & Sheepskin | Grip + comfort | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★☆☆☆ | £142 |
| MF & Sheepskin | Ultimate comfort | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★☆☆☆ | £153 |
| Withers Free | Wither pressure | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | ★★☆☆☆ | £153 |
| Piuma | Minimal bulk | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | £54 |
| Risers | Saddle balance | ★★★★☆ | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★☆☆ | £58 |
Understanding the Grip Options
Within the memory foam range especially, you'll notice different grip technologies on the upper surface of the pad (the side that contacts the saddle):
Honeycomb: A high-tech material with a hexagonal cell structure. Offers breathability, flexibility, and effective pressure absorption with a responsive feel. Great all-round option.
Louvre: A textured surface that provides grip through friction. Sits between silicone and honeycomb in terms of grip strength. Good for riders who want secure placement without excessive stickiness.
Silicone Grip: Silicone dots or coating on the surface. Strong grip, easy to clean. Popular for jumping where the saddle position needs to stay locked during faster work.
Double-Sided Grip: Grip material on both the top (saddle) and bottom (horse) surfaces. Maximum stability — the pad doesn't move on the horse, and the saddle doesn't move on the pad.
Gel Grip: Acavallo's classic gel technology used as the grip surface. Combines shock absorption with non-slip properties in a single layer.
Double Felt: Traditional felt surfaces on both sides. Softer, more breathable, less grip than synthetic options. Preferred by some traditional riders and in warmer climates.
Choosing by Discipline
Dressage: Look for dressage-cut shapes (longer, straighter profile) in memory foam or withers free configurations. Freedom of shoulder movement and even pressure distribution are priorities. Memory Foam 3D Spacer Dressage pads are the most popular choice.
Jumping: Jump-cut shapes (shorter, forward profile) with strong grip are essential. Non-slip gel or silicone grip memory foam pads keep the saddle locked in position over fences. Consider the Piuma range if you want minimal bulk for close-contact jumping.
All-Purpose / Hacking: Any technology works. If you're on a budget, the basic non-slip gel or Piuma lines offer excellent value. If comfort is the priority, memory foam is the most versatile choice.
Care Instructions
All Acavallo gel and memory foam pads can be handwashed in a bucket with mild detergent, or machine washed in a wash bag at 30°C. Do not use harsh detergents. Do not tumble dry. Do not expose to direct heat. Sheepskin models should be handwashed only and allowed to dry naturally away from direct heat.