Saddle Pad Issue

[Dani]

I ride with a 1inch Diamond wool pad beneath my saddle. Nothing special, no holes, no contour, no risers, or any other things. I’ve been using it since December and bought it brand new.

The last 2 trails I’ve gone on I’ve had it slip forward. The first ride (last Wednesday) it happened on we got to the halfway point (13ish miles total) and I fixed it and it didn’t happen again. However, today I went just over 10 miles and it kept slipping forward and I would have to dismount every 10 to 20 minutes to fix it because the back of my saddle was no longer over the pad.

Sometimes, I’ll admit, I’m a horrible tack owner and have not yet cleaned the pad at all. I did go ahead and brush all the hair off and cleaned it as per the company’s website this evening in case that was the problem. Could a build-up of shedding winter hair cause this? Took the opportunity to clean all the tack for that horse actually… I did also Showsheen her butt and I’m wondering if the wind caused some of the spray to get on to her back as well… Can’t say that much would have ended up on her back as a result, but a strong possibility.

It’s only been an issue on my past 2 trails, not on any schooling rides. My trails are very fast paced, schooling not so much, and I don’t lunge her with tack on; if the tack is on her, I’m in it. Saddle is a custom build for my mare and her shape hasn’t changed in any unexpected ways since having the saddle built, we accounted for her building topline in the meantime. I did check the fit again and it was fine. One thing in particular that I did notice is that even with the pad slipping, the saddle did not budge.

TL;DR - Has anyone had the issue of a saddle pad slipping forward? My pad is a plain Diamond Wool pad, has not been cleaned or brushed since purchased in December (horse is shedding winter coat), and saddle fits the horse.

[cloudy18]

Have you tried a different pad to see if you get the same results? I had the opposite of the pad going backwards, but my saddle also was all over the place. It was because of too narrow a fit. I think I’d first see if the same thing happens with a different pad.

[Dani]

Haven’t tried a different pad yet, haven’t had the chance to ride again. I did clean the wool pad yesterday though. I would have ridden today, but my mare got in to another horses feed and has a sensitivity to corn and acts like she’s had crack for the next day or two. So lunging for today because I didn’t have the energy to deal with her cracked up self :lol:

I will try the clean pad and a different pad to see if that makes a difference.

[beau159]

In my opinion, if you had a saddle FITTED to a horse’s back, then a 1 inch pad is way too thick.

If you’re saddle fits well, 1/2 inch is all you need.

Also, I am not a fan of a pad that has no contour. Your horse’s back isn’t flat as a table – so neither should your pad.

[Dani]

This is the pad that was recommended by the maker and after a few miles of riding the wool has molded to her back. The pad is no longer flat as a table, it’s exactly the shape of her back.

[AKB]

I use a Fleeceworks sheepskin pad and a Professional Choice neoprene girth. No more slipping!

[Dani]

Ran by the maker today and he confirmed my suspicions, shedding winter coat + lack of cleaning = pad slides forward.

[Kitari]

I just saw this.

I bought a diamond wool pad and I love it. It isn’t contoured either, but it conforms exceptionally well to Scarlet’s back. I also have the 1" size, but my saddle was a little bit big and this pad helped immensely, nice even marks, no soreness, etc.

The sliding had me too and the only thing I could think of would be winter hair. Since Scarlet didn’t really grow a winter coat I have not run into that problem. I have found the pad to be nice and grippy on its own, and disinclined to move once it’s moulded.

You’ve talked to the maker, so after a good cleaning I’d see what you get with another longer ride.

[Dani]

Still haven’t had a chance to ride, weather has been awful and I don’t have a trailer to haul to an indoor. I’ll post an update when I get a chance.