Presently using a Cashel Dressage Wedge Cushion that is thicker at the back…gradually tapers to the front. I love that it is light and all one piece. I don’t like that it’s not spine free and it can get rigid in the cold. Any suggestions? Does adding shims to the shimmable half pads cause pressure spots? My saddle is an Arena dressage saddle…I’ve also thought about getting the yellow Wintec inserts that you can put in the panels to raise it a bit in the rear. Any comments on those ? Thanks !!!
my mare is just slightly uphill, and i use an attractive saddlepad, then a good quality half pad, usually the Lemieux one- with wither relief contour, then under the cantle i use this riser
Get the proper shims that go into the panels. You’ll screw up the overall fitting of the saddle less than using any foam pad or shimmable pad and will maintain air flow through the gullet.
I am breaking in new flocking to my young horse and the saddle fitter wanted me to use a riser pad for six weeks before doing an adjustment to see how the flocking would pack down. I am using an Acavallo air release riser pad and I love it. (I started with a Thinline shim pad, and hated it). I love that the Acavallo gives me more of a feel of soft back muscles rather than the hardness I feel from some of these shim pads.
Cowgirl…can you send me a link to the Acavallo half pad you use and like ?
Agree that you should try an Acavallo. They have their standard jelly pad with a slight rear riser.
Acavallo Gel Risers : Horse Health, The finest Equestrian products in the UK. I have the clear Respira Air riser pads (I bought front and rear and a flat one so that I can keep the saddle balanced with my horse’s muscle changes–he is only 3.5 years old).
