Saddle fit, saddle pads, and shape changing

[yellowbritches]

About 18 months ago I got a custom made County saddle. After some dilberation, we opted to go “generic” in the tree size versus getting it custom for my horse (it was mostly a custom need for me). At the time I was riding multiple horses and my horse really could have stranded a MN tree, but we opted for medium. It was a fine solution, he was comfortable with sheepskin half pads and it worked well.

I am THRILLED I didn’t go with a MN tree now, as because we are no longer galloping and our mutual level of stress is drastically reduced, he has bulked up, in weight and topline, and now fills out his medium tree nicely. I have still been using the same pads with no complaints, though there are a couple that I don’t love the way the sit now. Still, he doesn’t care.

Last week, in prep for the show that didn’t happen, I borrowed a contour pad and gave it a test drive, since it would be a completely different pad set up. I LOVED the way it fit with the saddle and he was very happy. It was just a good old Wilkers. Nothing fancy and definitely not as thick and plush as his myriad of sheepskin.

So, I guess my two questions really are 1) can a horse really change THAT much (he’s 10!) too go from a little too wide of a saddle with plush pads to a almost perfect fit with a fairly thin pad? I know youngsters can and do change that much, but I’m having a hard time wrapping my mind around a mature horse making that big of a change. And 2) what do people use for every day riding if they have a nicely fitting saddle with just a good old fleecy contour pad? They are thicker than just a quilt, but obviously not as thick as a Mattes, etc. I’m tempted to sell all my sheepskin and invest heavily in Wilkers right now!

[soloudinhere]

My horse is 7 and he popped up 2 tree sizes in 2 1/2 months when he came to me and was put into work. He gained weight but more than that he gained topline.

He goes in his saddle and a regular square pad, nothing else. I have a thinline if he’s seeming particularly sensitive and because he’s roly-poly, a noslip for underneath. That’s all. The fancy pads don’t do much other than change the fit of the saddle or, in the case of a really sensitive horse, prevent rubbing. Otherwise a properly fitted saddle will have no problems with just a plain pad.

[yellowbritches]

I use sheepskin because he has terribly sensitive skin. But, again, I think we’re not having the issues we’ve had in the past because our stress level is at a much better place.

[cswoodlandfairy]

My horse is 15 and changed drastically in the last two years. Sadly I bought a custom saddle two years ago and had to sell it as it became too narrow and eventually his body shape change placed me in the back seat of the saddle making me fight the saddle to get into two point. I got a new saddle in July (well used new saddle) that has a flex tree and actually has additional paneling just behind his shoulder where it dips (typical TB with big withers). That be said I ride in a thin pad, mostly baby pads now (before I couldn’t they would slip right out from the saddle) and his Ogilvy pad. I have no use for bulkier pads anymore.

[Renn_aissance]

Yes he sure can- up to and including at age 18 when you figure he’s too old to learn new tricks. Glad that it seems a pad solves the issue for you vs. a new saddle!

[Sunflower]

As a horse builds topline, it certainly can go up in tree width in saddles, needing wider tree. Sounds like a positive change. Toplines can change at any time, at any age. I love Art2ride videos and their descriptions with clear explanations of changing toplines and topline development. http://www.art2ride.com/2014/10/

I have an OTTB, who goes in a half lined sheepskin pad, that has been fitted with the saddle ( and used each time the saddle fit is re-checked periodically by the saddle fitter). The fitter recommended using a half lined pad to support the horse’s back as topline is built. My horse loves the sheepskin pads and I am in the process of getting more ( so I can swap off as they need cleaning periodically). But each horse and its saddle is a different story!

[asterix]

Yep. They can change. His job is so different now. I had to abandon saddles that worked for my big man when he was eventing when he transitioned to 19 and 1st/2nd level dressage. It’s a different shape.
I do love shimmable pads for changing backs. I’ve got toklat matrix 3 pads in coolback and woolback now…I can stick my saddle fitter’s yoga mat shims in them, or not…

[billiebob]

I have another one who changed shape as he matured–sprouted up an entire inch between 7 and 8. When I moved him out to the ranch 18 months ago (age 10) his saddle fit with a regular pad and a thin sheepskin (Roma). Now, with his new exercise regimen of hillwork, working cattle, hillwork, more focused dressage, hillwork, jumping, and hillwork he’s gotten more withery with a huge-for-him hindquarter. I’m currently on the hunt for a thicker half pad.

If I were in your shoes, I’d probably go with a regular pad + Thinline. Or maybe a cotton quilted shimmable pad, no sheepskin.

[jaybird660]

Yes a horse can change its topline and size quite a bit with work and a saddle that finally fits. Many saddles can be widened a size by a qualified person with a tree press so keep that in mind if the overall fit is good but starts to seem a bit too narrow.

[Firebug]

[QUOTE=Sunflower;7809033]

I have an OTTB, who goes in a half lined sheepskin pad, that has been fitted with the saddle ( and used each time the saddle fit is re-checked periodically by the saddle fitter). The fitter recommended using a half lined pad to support the horse’s back as topline is built. My horse loves the sheepskin pads and I am in the process of getting more ( so I can swap off as they need cleaning periodically). But each horse and its saddle is a different story![/QUOTE]

Do you have a link to the pad you use? Thanks

[yellowbritches]

[QUOTE=billiebob;7809126]
I have another one who changed shape as he matured–sprouted up an entire inch between 7 and 8. When I moved him out to the ranch 18 months ago (age 10) his saddle fit with a regular pad and a thin sheepskin (Roma). Now, with his new exercise regimen of hillwork, working cattle, hillwork, more focused dressage, hillwork, jumping, and hillwork he’s gotten more withery with a huge-for-him hindquarter. I’m currently on the hunt for a thicker half pad.

If I were in your shoes, I’d probably go with a regular pad + Thinline. Or maybe a cotton quilted shimmable pad, no sheepskin.[/QUOTE]
yeah, that’s the combo I think might try tomorrow and see what he thinks. I’m very happy with how he looks! Amazing what the better part of a year of dressage and hacking can do! And also not being in a stressful environment!