The History of the Invictus Half-Pad
The Invictus half-pad became a flagship product in horse protection, recommended by saddle fitters for its innovation and effectiveness.
Designed to offer optimal protection for horses' backs, this half-pad quickly won over amateur riders and professionals thanks to advanced D3O® technology, which remains the benchmark in equestrian shock absorption to this day.
Today, the Invictus brand no longer exists. But its technological legacy lives on: LAO has picked up the torch to keep meeting the needs of riders looking for a high-performance horse half-pad.
Invictus, the half-pad that revolutionised horse comfort
Invictus was born with a clear ambition: to revolutionise horse comfort and protection during exercise. The brand made its name with an ultra-thin, high-performance half-pad, built for the demands of sport.
Unlike conventional half-pads, which are often bulky, Invictus was built around a reduced thickness (1.5cm) while still delivering exceptional shock absorption — the core promise of any good horse half-pad.
Designed for horses under intense workloads, this half-pad was particularly sought after in demanding disciplines such as showjumping and eventing.
It also appealed to riders keen to protect their horse's back from the repeated strain of training and competition, or when the horse had a slightly underdeveloped topline.
The Invictus half-pad proved its worth on horses suffering from chronic back or muscle tension — a use case now found in its successor, LAO.
The Invictus brand ceased trading following the death of its creator. But passionate saddle fitters found a way to carry the innovation forward.
D3O® Technology, at the Heart of the Horse Half-Pad
The true heart of the Invictus half-pad lay in its patented technology, D3O®. This intelligent material, originally developed for impact sports like motorcycling and skiing, stands out for its unique ability to absorb shock. At rest, D3O® stays soft and flexible; on impact, its molecules instantly reorganise to absorb and disperse shock energy and effectively protect the horse's back.
For equestrian use, this innovation significantly reduces pressure on the horse's back while maintaining good contact with the rider — a valuable balance for preventing back pain and optimising sporting performance.
Compared with the traditional foams or gels used in other half-pads, D3O® offers two decisive advantages:
- Superior shock absorption, with reduced thickness.
- Increased durability, even under intensive use.
This technology has been tested and approved by both saddle fitters and professional riders, who report a noticeable improvement in their horses' comfort.
LAO: The D3O® Half-Pad That Carries On and Refines the Invictus Legacy
With Invictus gone, riders attached to this unique half-pad could have found themselves without a solution. LAO was born to take on and refine this concept, carrying D3O® innovation forward in the service of equine welfare.
By incorporating D3O® technology into its own products, LAO has gone even further on ergonomics and design efficiency.
For example:
- The LAO D3O® half-pad's cut was designed using back measurements from a hundred horses, to ensure it fits as many conformations as possible.
- Field feedback helped refine this cut and ensure better pressure distribution under the saddle.
- LAO also makes a point of offering a durable, easy-to-care-for product.
If you're looking for a D3O® half-pad today that can effectively protect your horse's back while optimising its performance, the LAO half-pad is the solution to turn to.
Where to Find the Invictus Half-Pad's Legacy Today
To discover the new generation of D3O® half-pads and benefit from the know-how inherited from Invictus:
- Discover the D3O® half-pad by LAO
- Find out who we are, and learn more about our commitment to horse welfare
- Discover our network of LAO D3O® half-pad retailers
Protect your horse's back while improving its performance with this innovation that has become essential.
FAQ — Invictus Half-Pad and D3O® Technology
How does a horse half-pad work?
A horse half-pad sits between the saddle pad and the saddle. It absorbs shocks caused by the rider's weight and movements, distributes pressure exerted by the saddle evenly across the back, and thereby limits pressure points responsible for back pain, muscle tension, and movement restrictions.
What is D3O® technology and why use it on a horse half-pad?
D3O® is a non-Newtonian polymer: soft at rest, it instantly absorbs and disperses shock energy as soon as it's impacted, before returning to its flexible state. Originally used in sports protective equipment (motorcycling, skiing), it allows equestrian half-pads to offer significantly better protection than traditional foams or gels, with much less bulk.
Where can I buy an Invictus half-pad today?
The Invictus half-pad is no longer manufactured: the brand ceased trading after the death of its creator, and no new stock remains. Some can still be found second-hand, but since D3O®'s effective lifespan is 5 years, an older Invictus pad may have lost some of its absorption properties. The LAO D3O® half-pad, designed by saddle fitters, now uses the same D3O® technology to provide equivalent protection.
Is the LAO half-pad a good equivalent to the Invictus?
Yes — LAO uses the same D3O® technology as Invictus and absorbs and disperses shock and saddle pressure in the same way. It goes even further, with an anatomically designed withers-clearance cut, a spine channel, and a withers clearance area, developed by saddle fitters based on measurements taken from over 100 horses, to fit as many conformations as possible.
