I’m doing some research on western saddle pads for my mom. We’re looking for one that she can put under a bareback pad to ride about once a week or less. Don’t ask about saddle fit because we don’t have one. (However I’m sure someday I’ll get it and use it under a saddle.) Since it’s going just under a bareback pad I’m looking for one that might reduce some spine pressure and especially wither pressure.
My real question is what is the difference between contoured, cut back, and cut out (have just a hole over the withers instead of being completely cut out from the front) pads? I know what they are but what do you like and why would you get one over the others? Does one give more relief than the others?
First of all, I guess I am unsure on why you want to use a regular saddle pad under a bareback pad? Bareback pads are meant to used alone.
As far as saddle pads, I prefer to have one that is contoured with a wither cut out. I like the contour b/c it follows my horse’s back (no horse’s back is flat like a table!) and I like the wither cut out so that it can’t apply pressure to the withers (I do always “tent” my saddle pads, but the extra cut out is nice too).
Of course, a well-fitting pad compliments a well-fitting saddle.
I think a western-style saddle pad under a bareback pad will be not comfortable and will probably contribute to the bareback pad slipping. I agree with beau159 that most (all?) bareback pads are meant to be used as-is. The only reason I can see for using any saddle pad under a bareback pad is so that you can keep the bareback pad clean, at which point I would only use a thin cotton pad, both because it won’t add so much thickness (bareback pads are already plenty thick) and also because they’re far more washable than western-style pads (also cheaper).
I know all bareback pads are meant to go on as-is. But I’ve never been comfortable just using my bareback pad with nothing underneath. The horse is a QH-TB mix and I’d say she is even more uncomfortable to sit on bareback than my TB. I was just looking for a little more padding and hoping to take some pressure off the withers. My bareback pad is not thick enough to be comfortable. I have ridden with a english square pad underneath and that didn’t quite do the job either. In any case I’d like to learn more about western pads too.
I have a Skito pad I use under my bareback pad. It has a contoured top line and does offer a spine channel and wither relief. My horse is happier with it than not, plus it is more comfortable for me.
[QUOTE=PNW AMTS Dealer;8623431]
I have a Skito pad I use under my bareback pad. It has a contoured top line and does offer a spine channel and wither relief. My horse is happier with it than not, plus it is more comfortable for me.[/QUOTE]
Thanks. I checked out the Skito pads. They’re a little expensive, especially with shipping from the US thrown in. But I’ll look at some that are similar.
First off the bareback pad is better than riding bareback without one. There is a reason saddles haves tees, to distribute pressure. Not thrashing bareback pads or treeless saddles but I don’t think they are beneficial over a treed saddle for long hours of use.
My input on pads alone regardless of what is being used over them, contoured is the best. Cutout over the withers, That pressure has to be put somewhere else, usually behind t h e withers and I’ve seen the marks on horses that have been used long term. The only time I use a cut back or cutout over the withers is if I have something under the withers, another pad or blanket. Usually on a horse that is high withered yet meets the bar angles on my saddle.
This is my horse’s favorite pad:
I’ve tried all sorts of pads and this is by far the one he likes best. I wanted to like the 5 Star pads because everyone speaks so highly of them, but for him they are too thick at the withers. Ditto above about the cutouts - the hole is never in the right place and my horse also doesn’t like them.
[QUOTE=Aces N Eights;8624876]
First off the bareback pad is better than riding bareback without one. There is a reason saddles haves tees, to distribute pressure. Not thrashing bareback pads or treeless saddles but I don’t think they are beneficial over a treed saddle for long hours of use.
My input on pads alone regardless of what is being used over them, contoured is the best. Cutout over the withers, That pressure has to be put somewhere else, usually behind t h e withers and I’ve seen the marks on horses that have been used long term. The only time I use a cut back or cutout over the withers is if I have something under the withers, another pad or blanket. Usually on a horse that is high withered yet meets the bar angles on my saddle.[/QUOTE]
Never thought about the re-disbursement of pressure from the wither cutout. Thanks for the tip.
