We have all heard about the new products that were developed from research for space exploration. This is another exciting discovery that has been adapted to the equine world. "Zoombang" looks and feels like "Silly Putty," but it is less clay-like and more foam-like. It's a polymer that is soft at rest, hard on impact, and then returns to its fluid state. It won't wear out, dry out, freeze or melt. It absorbs 80% of impact forces and thus reduces injury and stress to the horse wearing a "Zone Series Pad."
I know Zoombang works because two cowboys from Classic Equine showed up at Valley Vet Supply to demonstrate it for us in a product educational meeting. It turned out more hands-on than we expected.
First, one of them covered the back of their hand with a fistful of the gray polymer and let the other one hit him on the spot with a metal tool (a large stapler to be exact). Then one of us braver women took a turn and got their hand knocked, with no ill effects. Then we notched it up a bit. Cowboys are tough guys, and so I teased one to take it on the face. We all laughed, but next thing I know, he had removed his ten-gallon hat and had the Zoombang plastered on his forehead and was handing me the stapler. I am embarrassed to say what happened next. I think I hit him far harder than I meant to. I scared the both of us. He said it didn't hurt him, but I scared him so badly he was going to need to find a bathroom and stand in the back for the rest of the hour. However, it proved that Zoombang works. Really. After he peeled the polymer off, he didn't even have a mark on his forehead. I was very relieved. He could have been cross-eyed the rest of his life. I'm a believer!
These "Made-in-the-USA" Zone Series Pads are really cool. The Zoombang insert is placed inside the pad on both sides along the shoulder area and along the width of the pad. They come in four styles of pad. The first level is a Felt Top Felt Bottom Pad. It comes in a barrel racing size of 30” x 32” and then the 31” x 32” for everyone else. The second level is a Felt Top Fleece Bottom for those who prefer felt and fleece. My favorite is the Suede Top Felt Bottom Pad. It is really a beautiful pad in the chocolate suede leather. It looks like a work of art to me. Finally, they have the pad with a blanket attached at the top of the pad. The Blanket Top comes in seven different colors and is a total of 1 1/4" thick.
I have this feeling that Classic Equine's Zoombang technology is going to be a big "hit" in the saddle pad world. It sure was at our meeting! Ellen
