Wanting advice on a rear riser pad. current saddle is snug in the shoulder so I don’t want to add much bulk in that area. Looking a Avacallo gel w/rear riser. I have had a mattes pad in the past but I think that would add too much bulk. Any suggestions? Anyone have a Avacallo?
If the saddle is snug I would worry about causing more pressure on the front if you use any type of rear riser. That being said you can buy some foam from Michaels or wherever can cut a wedge shape out of it, then you add no bulk at all to the shoulders.
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I use an Acavallo pad and love it. Mine is not a correction type but the honeycomb gel. They do not compress and make firm spots like most memory foam type pads. I’ve used Thinline, sheepskin, Ogilvy etc with no noticeable difference but the Acavallo made my older horse happy. I need my saddle done again so until I get that done this has made an appreciable difference.
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I sell the Acavallo pads and use a gel under the saddle pad and memory foam under the saddle. I really like the difference it has made. My saddle fits well so it was more for shock absorption rather than correction. The gel with riser is a good option since the front will be very thin
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Roma makes an inexpensive rear riser pad that may work. Not “pretty” but worked for me to school in and I had a Wilkers pad with rear riser to show in.
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btswass, Thanks for that info. My saddle fits fine its just sits level which seems to set me back a little too much so I am trying to get a riser but I don’t want bulk at the shoulder so sounds like this would be a good option.
I saw a YouTube video once by a saddle fitter that back risers will put more pressure on the shoulders/withers and front of saddle. Cant remember the exact explanation but something to the affect of build front to back if you need to bring up the back. Probably not what you want to hear, sorry. Ill try to find the video and post it it I do.
Found it! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ijkpYcBsxn4 At 8:45 he starts to talk about it.
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prolite is very good, they make a two pocket/4 shim and now a 3 pocket/6 shim pad. Its a good temporary solution. This way you can modify front or back. If you don’t use any extra shims it serves as a nice thinline like shock absorber- no bulk.
If the saddle is balanced, then you shouldn’t need a riser. If you are looking to get yourself more forward and the front is already snug, you risk soreness and discomfort in the shoulder/wither area. It might be a stirrup bar issue and you can play with that by putting a little rubber band or tube at the very front which can change slightly, the placement of your irons which can affect your balance. Mind you, this is all conjecture since I have no other info.
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A saddle that sits level doesn’t put the rider siting back, unless the saddle doesn’t fit the rider and puts him in a chair seat.
Your description of “snug” on the shoulder makes me think it’s actually a little too narrow. Even if it fits just right, like a glove, raising the rear is going to make it not fit, cause soreness, and a whole world of problems you don’t want.
Are you sure the saddle is slid back far enough?
