ThinLine Performance Products

An in-depth look at the ThinLine brand and technology

By RDW Crew | June 30, 2023

From horse tack to human accessories, ThinLine has made a name for itself in the riding community by creating products that enhance your horse's comfort without sacrificing connection. Comfort products shouldn't have to be hot, bulky, or intrusive to keep your horse protected. In this comprehensive ThinLine guide, we will discuss the company's mission, review some ThinLine favorites, and answer some frequently asked questions!

ThinLine half pad sitting on a horse jump.

The ThinLine Origin Story

ThinLine was founded when equestrian and entrepreneur Elaine Lockhead Castelao had a chance encounter with an engineer who was developing a shock-absorbing material to protect athletes. As a dressage rider, Elaine knew this specially designed foam had the potential to reduce discomfort and enhance performance for both horses and riders. Elaine began using the foam on her own horses' backs and was amazed at the results:

"As I continued to use the simple sheet of foam I noticed not only how much better my show horse was going, but also how much easier it was to sit the gaits. I also had a retired racehorse in my care, and while the horse was [easily] rattled, I found he was much quieter with the ThinLine. Witnessing firsthand how ThinLine impacted these two horses, it became my personal mission to ensure that every horse owner knew about this amazing saddle pad."

ThinLine remains a small company of riders who invest in the testing, design, and quality of their products. It delivers on its mission to "create and deliver a simple, honest connection between horse and rider" through innovative saddle pads, reins, girths, and many other comfort accessories.

What Riders Are Saying

Alison, Web Content

"I use the ThinLine Trim To Fit Shims-Endurance & Drop Rigging in my saddle pads for better support and shock absorption. I trail ride in a Wintec and Bates Australian saddle, so my aim is to have additional back protection without adding a ton of bulk under my Aussie saddles. These shims do the trick! They are a standard enough size to fit inside a variety of saddle pad inserts, and you can simply trim them with scissors or a box blade for a more custom fit. I feel better balanced with these shims, and they do not shift around in my experience or make my saddles roll (which thick inserts can sometimes do, especially to Australian saddles). I do believe both of my horses are happier with these shims, which makes me happy!"

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Monique, Purchasing

"I decided to put the ThinLine Shock Absorbing Boot & Shoe Insoles in a pair of boots that I do a lot of standing and walking in, where my feet would end up hurting after long periods of wear. With these insoles in my boots, my feet no longer ache at the end of the day. My boots are considerably more comfortable, and I can really feel the extra shock absorption these insoles offer. With my boots being leather, they had stretched out a bit and were slightly too big for my foot, but with the added ThinLine shoe insoles, my boots are now also fitting better. I would recommend the ThinLine shoe insoles to anybody who is on their feet for long periods of time or who experiences sore feet; I think these insoles could be a great solution!"

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Madison, Web Content

"I have been using a version of the ThinLine Sheepskin Trifecta Half Pads for over 15 years now. I've used everything from the full fleece pad to the original ThinLine material-only pad, depending on the horse's needs. I've even branched out to try something new for curiosity's sake, but I always go back to my ThinLine. While I have a barn full of sensitive horses that all benefit from this pad, my super sensory-sensitive mare is all the proof I need that this pad does what it says. It provides enough 'dampening' to keep them comfortable, both physically and mentally, without dulling out the rider's cues. On the days when my mare is overwhelmed, this pad is my greatest tool. These half pads also don't add bulk that messes with the saddle fit unless you shim it so that it can. Both my jumping horse from my youth and my current dressage horses have healthier backs because of these pads. Even after a hard training day, their backs don't get sore the way I've seen with other pads. I will be a lifetime ThinLine user!"

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Cory, RW Customer

"It has been a constant battle over the years to keep my reins short when jumping; they always seem to get subtly longer when I am on course. I have experimented with all sorts of reins and never really found anything that has worked well until someone recommended the ThinLine Classic Wrapped English Reins. These are a game changer! Because of their cushy nature, the ThinLine reins stay fixed in my hands; my grip sinks into them so they don't slip through my fingers while coursing or when my young horses try to rip the reins from me. No longer am I continually adjusting rein length between fences, something particularly distracting when the course is set above a 1.30m. I also found an unexpected added bonus in that they feel so wonderfully soft in my hands. I mostly ride with gloves to prevent calluses, but when I go out on trails, I like to have my hands free to operate my phone and music. I actually don't need gloves with the ThinLine reins and therefore have more freedom. I absolutely love them!"

Shop ThinLine English Reins

Thinline half pad sitting on a horse's back.

ThinLine FAQ:

Q: What is ThinLine?

A: ThinLine is a unique, open-cell material that distributes shock, weight, and heat laterally without compressing. ThinLine can be sewn into different textiles to create the perfect pad for different disciplines and saddles. Every ThinLine product offers the same level of performance and protection.

Q: What are the benefits of using ThinLine products?

A: ThinLine can deliver the following benefits:

95% shock absorption. ThinLine distributes impact across the material instead of into the horse and rider's bodies.
ThinLine can reduce back discomfort for both horses and riders. Riders reported less lower back pain when using a ThinLine half pad under their saddle.
ThinLine's slim design allows close-contact feel for the rider and reduces bulk between saddle and horse. It avoids altering saddle fit unless shims are intentionally added.
Due to ThinLine's open-cell technology, heat and moisture are not trapped between the horse and tack.
ThinLine doesn't compress or slip, reducing pressure points under the saddle.
With proper care, the lifespan of ThinLine can easily exceed a decade.
An anti-microbial agent is infused into ThinLine girths and horse boots to reduce fungal and bacterial growth.

Q: It looks like rubber. Won't it make my horse hot?

A. While ThinLine has a rubber-like look and feel, it is not actual rubber material. The open-cell structure explained above allows moisture and air to move through the material, making for better breathability and optimal temperatures. ThinLine's newest design updates feature a mesh spine in most half pads for horses that are extra heat sensitive and for the rider's peace of mind.

Q: How does ThinLine work?

A: Beginning as a liquid, open cells are poured and then polarized so each cell lies end-to-end. Another layer is poured and then polarized in a new direction. This process is repeated hundreds of times to create a honeycomb matrix formation. This allows impact, heat, and moisture to move laterally across the ThinLine material for unparalleled comfort for both horse and rider.

When heated to body temperature, ThinLine material is made to flex and conform to the horse so that it offers support and relieves pressure without bottoming out. Once cooled to room temperature, ThinLine returns to its original shape.

Q: Can you use ThinLine pads directly on a horse's back?

A: Yes, you can use a ThinLine pad directly on your horse's back; however, it may compromise the longevity of the product due to sweat's corrosive properties. If you choose to use it under a saddle pad, be sure to not pull the pad into the gullet of the saddle. It can lay against the wither without creating any pressure points or rubbing.

Q: How does ThinLine compare with other shock-absorbing pads?

A: Because impact and pressure are dissipated across ThinLine products, they actually perform better than their competitors. Their thin construction ensures that they do not alter saddle fit, unlike many other comfort products. See the video below to view how ThinLine absorbs the concussion of a golf ball better when compared to a competitor's product.

Q: The seat saver is so thin compared to other brands. How will it provide that much comfort?

A: Using the same technology as ThinLine's horse saddle pads, the seat saver puts the pressure distribution directly against the rider for added comfort. The thin feel ensures riders don't feel perched up on a cushion like a lot of seat savers, which can put riders in an improper position that interferes with cues and can cause other discomforts. Many riders begin with thicker cushions and eventually find their way to the ThinLine so their riding position can be maintained.

Q: The reins look bulky compared to other ThinLine products. Won't they be awkward to use?

A: The ThinLine rein design allows riders to cue their horses without having to maintain a hard grip on the reins. This allows the reins to be softer on their horse's mouths and provides hand and wrist relief to the rider. We have found these reins to be highly favored by jumping and long-distance riders!

Q: The muzzle looks like plastic. Won't it hurt my horse or make them uncomfortable?

A: The Flexible Filly Grazing Muzzle is made of soft, easily pliable material. It can "squish" when pressed into the ground, allowing the horse to feel as natural as possible when grazing. Even if an area is broken, the soft material avoids scratching or cutting the horse's delicate face. It is also designed to break if the horse becomes hung up, unlike neoprene masks.

Q: How do you clean ThinLine products?

A: Follow these instructions to care for your ThinLine products:

Washing and Drying Sheepskin: Wash by hand in cold or lukewarm water using a mild soap such as Eucalan. Avoid using Melp or Woolite. Rinse thoroughly with cool water and gently remove excess water. Air dry facing up. Do not use direct heat or sunlight. To prevent shrinkage, stretch the skin while drying. When dry, brush fleece up with a coarse pet brush.
Tack: Use ThinLine cleaner or mild dish soap with water. If you need to condition the leather, use a paste conditioner. ThinLine material only needs to be cleaned, not conditioned.
Cotton Saddle Pads: Machine wash in a front loader only with cold water and with the ThinLine turned to the inside. You can also handwash. Feel free to bleach the white pads.
Felt: ThinLine suggests eZall. Hose, scrub, and hose again.
Horse Boots: Sport boots and open-front jumping boots may be machined and washed in cold water before hanging to dry.

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