Choosing and Do's and Don'ts with Treeless Saddle Pads

[FjordBCRF]

I have been riding in a treeless Bob Marshal now for a little over a month now. My extra wide fjord has been going very well in it, I like it, and I just placed an order with a custom saddle for us! I need the endurance rigging otherwise I would have bought the loner Im using now.

I would like to get a saddle pad ordered soon here too. I am currently using a Skito pad and am figuring that is what I will buy. Can anyone speak to the difference between the regular foam and the laminated foam? The site says the laminate furthers helps weight distribution. Any other brands worth looking into? Types of foam…open cell vs closed cell? Weight wise, I hover right around 135 give or take depending on the day.

Can I use a Back on Track liner underneath? Can I use a show pad OVER the skito?

[GreyDes]

Skito has great customer service. Give them a call and let them know what type of riding you’ll be doing. They’ll be able to make a recommendation based on that and your weight.

[tabula_rashah]

I tried a lot of different pads under my treeless saddles and always come back to Skito being the best. Definitely call them and they will design exactly what you are looking for and be able to steer in you in the right direction for what you and your horse need
I would think a show pad on top would be fine but I would not use anything underneath because it would change the function of the pad (moisture wicking etc) and probably press down on the spine etc because it’s not meant to be used with a treeless saddle

[phantomhorse]

another vote for Skito - they are lovely to work with so give them a call. also agree to using a BOT pad on top of it but not below it.

[Demerara_Stables]

Great thread! Does the Skito help keep the Bob Marshall off the withers? I LOVE my Bob Marshall, but had been using just a thin pad under it and it sits right on everyone’s withers (so I’ve stopped using it ).

[FjordBCRF]

@Demerara_Stables

I LOVE my Bob Marshall, but had been using just a thin pad under it and it sits right on everyone’s withers

It’s my understanding you need to have the specific treeless pads for a treeless saddle otherwise weight distribution (among other things) can be an issue. I don’t have any wither issues with the Bob and Skito pad.

Pardon our sarcoid paste…but here is how it sits on him with the Skito pad, lots of wither clearance:

I think Im pretty set on a Skito. I did see there is a Jen X brand out there too that my endurance friends really like (they have used both Jen X and Skito). Also great people to work with. The Jen X are quite a bit more costly than the Skito so that’s a consideration.

[Demerara_Stables]

Oh I see!! Thank you! There is an older, mostly retired mare at my barn that I would love to get out on the trail more, but I just can’t stand having anything sitting on her withers so I mostly keep her around the farm where I can ride her bareback safely.

Also, your fjord is absolutely adorable

[FjordBCRF]

Thank you! He just finished drinking after an exhausting (not at all) training ride and wanted to make it known he was PARCHED.

[Demerara_Stables]

[GreyDes]

@Demerara_Stables - Yes, you need a specific treeless pad (Skito or similar) with a Bob Marshall. The pad replaces the tree for weight distribution and wither clearance. Bob Marshall also has a peaked pommel option for higher withered horses.