I bought a couple of AP saddle pads before deciding to stick to dressage riding. Aside from looking dorky, is there any harm to using the AP pads under a dressage saddle for schooling? The saddle fits fully over the pads, and the pads are long enough that the flaps aren’t hanging down past the pad or anything. I usually use some type of half pad as well.
Apologies if this is a silly question, just curious if anything bad will happen if I use these pads with a dressage saddle.
If they fit the saddle and don’t shift when you ride, it doesn’t matter how they look.
I use them with my shorter-flapped dressage saddle.
Me too. I have short legs and the last thing I need is six inches of pad under the saddle flap keeping me from putting my leg/spur actually on the horse
Awesome, thanks everyone! I figured it was probably okay, but with horse stuff you never know! 
I actually more worry about the length than the drop. I find that due to the shape of the panels on many dressage saddles and that AP pads tend to be shorter the AP pad is too short. I am uncomfortable with having the trim (especially the rope trim) under the back edge of the saddle as I am concerned with pressure points. But then I have a grey/white pinto that rubs and gets backsore at the drop of a hat.
For the drop I worry less since I have ridden on really hot days with just a sheepskin half pad with no issues.
I actually just started doing this too. I have a bunch of cute AP pads I never use anymore and a small horse with a short flap saddle so I thought might as well try. I agree with the above poster that the spine length needs to be adequate so the edge isn’t under the saddle leading to a pressure point, but I actually think the limited drop is nice for hot summer weather.
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