"My Best Friend bareback pad arrived last night and I took it to the barn this morning to try it out.  It stayed put, I stayed put, my 16.2 hand Missouri Foxtrotter moved freely and comfortably and everyone at our dressage barn is jealous of the pockets (I bought the western style).  I'm an older adult amateur dressage rider (yes, on a foxtrotter) and I've been having some balance issues over the past couple of years.  Going back to bareback seemed the best way to work on that and now I'm on my way.  I'm trilled!  Thank you!!"   01/26/2010 via email

Thanks for my new bareback pad - tried it 2X for a coupla short jaunts - I think I'm in love!   Thank you again for the great product and efficient service." SL, Massachusetts 7/25/09

"I bought this pad 3-4 years ago and I love the Best Friend Bareback Pad!  I have used other pads and have actually left them on the side of the trail because they slide and won't stay put; not the Best Friend, this one is the best!  It's not too thick, which I like, and it does not move or slide.  Thanks for a great product!"  L. R., Ellensburt, WA via email October 29, 2007

"I bought the Western bareback pad at the 2007 Equine Affair at Columbus and I just wanted to say that it was a real buy.  I would describe myself as a still beginning rider with a bit of riding time under my belt.  I've discovered that riding bareback has really helped my balance and when I used my saddle, I actually set a new personal record time of posting in a trot and not sitting back down.  Before buying your pad, I had tried another brand of bareback pad with my mare, and she hated it.  With this pad, she doesn't seem to mind one bit.  Thanks again."  J.M., Findlay, OH November 12, 2007 

"I LOVE the grip it provides!  The (Western) pad does not slip on his back nor am I slippng and sliding on him.  I'm able to concentrate on my riding and not worry about sliding off.  The faux suede is just grippy enough for me and the textured grippy bottom is great for him.  The girth is made of the same material so it's also slip free.  I also love the pockets to hold little things like treats, gloves, cell phone, etc.  The water bottle holder/pocket is great for those hot days just walking down the trail, too.  This is a GREAT buy and difinitely worth every penny.  The little extra cost is worth getting the pockets on it, too."  Rated 5 out of 5 by the "Horse Tack Review" website.  Here's a link to the original article: http://www.horsetackreview.com/review-display/6163.html

"I've got a Best Friend bareback pad and find it fits my very high withered horse much better than the Parelli one did that I borrowed to try out.  They're softer, more comfortable, have a breathable underside and are much easier to keep clean...plus they come complete with girth!!  Even if I had the opportunity, I wouldn't swap my Best Friend for a Parelli bareback pad."  From the Parelli Forum.

"I love my bestfriend bare back pad so nice to ride in.  Darcy has high withers and his spine is prominant due to a badly fitting saddle.  He has muscled up along his back and shoulders now which is great.  It does not move even if the girth is a bit loose, washes well in the machine."  From the Parelli Forum.

"This made a HUGE diffence in how secure I feel while riding bareback.  I'd been doing some walk/trot work without a pad and felt like I was going to fall if I took more than just a few trot steps at a time.  With the pad, I was able to comfortably trot a huge circle and still felt relatively balanced."  from the Parelli Forum

"Because of the huge price difference I prefer this pad to the parelli pads I've used bfore.... Overall, a very nice pad and an absolute bargain compared to some other pads."  from the Parelli Forum