Saddle Pad Fitting Question!

Question

I have an all purpose saddle and i regularly use a all purpose saddle pad with sometimes a sheepskin half pad. After a lesson one day my horse sweat alot so i took the saddle pads off, and my coach noticed that there wasn't sweat marks where they should have (saddle isn't fitting properly) which was just below the withers on both sides. she said if i found the right kind of saddle pad it would fix the problem. She recommended a thin line saddle pad. does anyone have any experience with this? any recondmations would be awesome! thank-you!

Answer 1

I use a thin line pad just for a little extra padding for my horse. However, chaning pads will not fix saddle fit issues. You have to fix the saddle. Many times you can get your saddle reflocked by a saddler to customize its fit to your horse. The saddler can professionally evaluate whether reflocking can fix the issues or if you need to replace your saddle.

Answer 2

When they are not sweating on the withers that usually has no link to the saddle pad. if your saddle really doesnt fit your horse than try a different saddle. You might not be working him enough to make him sweat there.

I have found that two 1in pads work the best. Not the fancy new gel pads, just some good old fashion cotton or felt pads.

Hope this helps you out!

Answer 3

Ok so here are a few suggestions

-Have your saddle re-flocked. It cost about $100 but is worth it in the end. When saddles get warn and used alot the stuffing (or flocking) in the pannels shift and move changing the fit of your saddle. Jave a saddle fitter re-stuff it and this should help your problem.

-try a pad witha slight raise in the front. peferably a sheepskin one. Only a slight raise so it adds more pressure in your problem spot.

hope that helps