OK folks, I need a western pad with significant contour...

[Abbie.S]

I have a client whose QH gelding has a very interesting back shape. He’s long, very angular and steep withers, significant curve to his topline, and built a little downhill. Not much muscle to speak of: he came from an interesting (read: unfortunate) situation, and has been slowly gaining weight all summer.

The good news, the lady is older and petite (I think she just turned 70) and this horse has won the jackpot with her. He is 12, basically green broke but an absolute teddy bear, naturally very calm and sweet and will spend the rest of his life being fed carrots and going for hacks down the road and in the fields with this woman. No hard work in this boy’s future except for what I am doing with him to teach him what he needs to know to keep her safe.

We have a saddle for him that fits well enough for what she will be doing with him, but finding a pad that is contoured enough has been a challenge. We can’t find anything local to buy in person, and the one she has has no contour and I can already tell will rub his withers raw if used for too long. I’ve been Googling contoured western pads but not coming up with anything that looks like it will be enough. When I say this horse has withers, I mean he has some serious withers, and I don’t expect him to ever build up a significant topline with this owner. He just needs to be comfortable packing her around.

Anyone have some really well-contoured western pads they would recommend? Money is not an issue for the owner, but reasonably priced is always a bonus.

[Bluey]

Would a cut back, built-up pad work?

http://www.statelinetack.com/item/mustang-navajo-cutback-built-up-saddle-pad/E000362%20DVPO/?srccode=GPSLT&gclid=CLz4hK3E4s4CFYGHaQodtMQD8g&kwid=productads-adid^53091238428-device^c-plaid^109130628828-sku^249992-adType^PLA

They have other models that have more shape to the pad and still built-up in front:

http://www.foxequine.com/western.htm

Look at the price, but maybe it is 10x better:

http://ca.cavallo-inc.com/Western-Saddle-Pads

Those are a regular pad, with extra padding in the shoulder area, so as to make up for that dip by the withers and cut back to clear that shark withers.

[Dani]

I use a contoured pad by classic equine that has extra padding on either side of the wither for my mare, a high withered appaloosa. It turned a saddle that didn’t quite fit her properly to one that was a decent fit. It looks nice, cleans easily, and is holding up really nicely for our high activity. Link posted below.

https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B004KDAJRM/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o06_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

[HorseInaTARDIS]

If money is not an issue, I would highly recommend a 5 Star pad. They are made of wool and will conform to the horse’s back. They have a bigger contour than most pads but may not be as big as what you are looking for, that’s okay because it will form to match the horse’s back.

There are also Diamond Wool Pads that are cheaper. I would recommend a thicker one if it will fit with the saddle because then he will have more cushion. These pads will follow the shape of the horse’s back and prevent any soreness. Just make sure that the saddle isn’t putting pressure on the top of the withers if he has such tall withers.

[beau159]

[QUOTE=Abbie.S;8818137]

Anyone have some really well-contoured western pads they would recommend? Money is not an issue for the owner, but reasonably priced is always a bonus.[/QUOTE]

I second the suggestion to look into 5 Stars pads. You can get them contoured and also with a wither cut-outs. If her saddle fits well, you can also simply use a 1/2" thickness which is very reasonable in price, as the pad will last a really long time.

[csaper58]

www.toklat.com/Products/BP/43-5750

The Toklat pads have the highest contour I have seen. It comes in a variety of materials, and some can be shimmed.

www.ridingwarehouse.com has the best selection and prices. They have the western contoured woolback 30x30 at $98.95 Click on western, then click on tack, then click on the saddle pad. Then search brands for Toklat. then click search.

It should shoe you lots of high withered pads.

[stb]

Another vote for 5star pads. They do custom orders too.

[Draftmare]

[QUOTE=HorseInaTARDIS;8819286]
If money is not an issue, I would highly recommend a 5 Star pad. They are made of wool and will conform to the horse’s back. They have a bigger contour than most pads but may not be as big as what you are looking for, that’s okay because it will form to match the horse’s back. [/QUOTE]

I was going to recommend 5 Star as well. They have quite a bit of contour to them. KnA Farms on Facebook is currently offering a 20% off sale for 5 Star until tomorrow.

[Draftmare]

Oops, sale goes through Monday.

[Abbie.S]

Just checked back on this thread, thanks everyone! I’ve instructed my client to check out 5 Star pads…my only concern going forward is that I know this horse will not develop enough muscle to fill in behind the withers. May have to experiment with a pad with some extra cushion in the front to help balance the saddle a bit better.

[Draftmare]

They do make pads like this: http://www.chicksaddlery.com/page/CDS/PROD/1030/FWP575?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=google%2Bdata%2Bfeed&gclid=Cj0KEQjw6am-BRCTk4WZhLfd4-oBEiQA3ydA3nCT3Jt4J7vWAnaDfrWxZ-z4woiIZyxrP8Iooc21aIYaAnE58P8HAQ

If you need more support in the wither area.

[Pocket_Pony]

I personally would not recommend 5Star pads. I’ve tried them a few times and just don’t like them. The wither cutout is not in the right place and I don’t find the contour to be in the right place or high enough, either.

I have a Toklat that I got from Riding Warehouse. So far it is better than any other western pad I’ve tried and you can also get one that is shimmable. My friend had a Ricotti pad that she really liked. It will help fill in the space around the withers, but again the wither relief part doesn’t seem that high.

[beau159]

[QUOTE=Abbie.S;8827756]
Just checked back on this thread, thanks everyone! I’ve instructed my client to check out 5 Star pads…my only concern going forward is that I know this horse will not develop enough muscle to fill in behind the withers. May have to experiment with a pad with some extra cushion in the front to help balance the saddle a bit better.[/QUOTE]

Another option is to use a shim, like this from Classic Equine. Sometimes that works in certain cases.

[gjp]

[QUOTE=beau159;8832090]
Another option is to use a shim, like this from Classic Equine. Sometimes that works in certain cases.[/QUOTE]

Try the Tacky Too swayback pad. My horse isn’t really swaybacked that much, but he dips below the withers.