I have a thoroughbred mare who is mostly retired from competition (jumpers) and now mainly just hangs out stuffing her face during the week and trail rides on the weekend. I bought a synthetic western saddle that seems to fit her pretty well (and is more comfortable for long trail rides than my jumping saddle) but I’m unsure of what the best pad for her may be. I’m a life long English rider who has dabbled in the western world occasionally when they needed more flag carriers at parades and rodeos but that’s about it so I feel pretty out of my element picking the right pad for her. In looking at them I feel like a cut out, cut back, or contoured are the best options for the high withered types but am looking for any advice I can get please!
Personally, I prefer a contoured pad on everything. (A horse’s back is not flat like a table.). I also prefer the wither cut out.
Your best bet is to use a quality wool pad. Wool is comfortable for a horse. I myself like 5 Star pads the best, but I can understand that some people may not want to spend that kind of money on a pad when the horse is only used occasionally. Diamond makes a comparable, but cheaper, pad as an alternative comparison to the 5 Star.
Of course, always “tent” the pad before you tighten your cinch so the pad is not pressing down on the withers.
5 Star does make what they call a Flex Fit pad where they don’t connect the two pieces in front. Looks like this: I’ve never had or needed one, but it’s an option.
I use a Cooper’s Ridge pad on my WB/TB mare with TB-type withers. Pricey, but works great!
