Saddle Pad Questions... Clueless! Help!

[Kels]

I tried to search through the forums to find answers to this question but it’s so overwhelming with so many options and the specific needs of each horse. This might sound really stupid because admittedly, I know nothing about saddles and saddle pads as I’ve always just been told what to ride my horses in. (I know, I know. Trying to turn that around now!)

I just got a new TB whose back is pretty locked up. It’s getting better but she’s still a little back sore. I’m riding her in a BdH that my trainer added a little extra padding to (memory foam in the open panels). It seems to fit her pretty well for now but I expect to have to adjust/change as she grows (she’s 4) and as we develop her topline.

My trainer has me riding her in her Equipedic pad. I would like to go ahead and purchase my own pad for her but want to figure out my options and what makes the most sense before I invest in one.

Does anyone have any advice about what to try? I just don’t know enough to make a decision and any education/insight you could offer would be so, so welcomed.

I do have pictures of her and can add them if it would be helpful. THANK YOU!!

[wildlifer]

Honestly? So much of it is marketing.

The best thing you can do is have a saddle whose tree and design fits your horse and you. Give your horse a good topline and strong rear end.

There is no fairy magic in saddle pads, it’s just a marketing niche that’s been discovered and expanded.

I have two horses who each have their own back-related issues, so I do put some foam under there (I chose Ecogold, but there are similar ones) just to even out pressure points in bodies in motion (which it does very well).

My BFF uses an Equipedic pad – because she does 50-mile endurance races and that is a LOT of mileage to be carrying a saddle almost entirely at trot and canter.

But again, there is no magic “fixes all issues” pad. This science nerd believes that you can put any good quality foam under there (if needed when horse has back problems that cannot be addressed by saddle fit or strengthening) and get similar results. Then you warm up the muscles and it all evens out in the wash.

ETA – do remember (material engineering fact) that ALL foams of ALL types degrade over time due to use and environmental conditions in their ability to rebound, etc, so ALL must be replaced to maintain cushion factor.

[jaybird660]

I think a half pad with 4 pockets for shimming is great to have such as a Matte or Thinline Trifecta. Owning TB’s myself, the ability to adjust the saddle’s balance whether due to asymmetry, development changes, etc. with a pad that can be added to or just used without shims is important. It should have a high wither profile. Keep in mind that although it can help a saddle fit better, it can also add pressure such as a pair of heavy wool socks would do in an already good fitting pair of shoes.

[asterix]

I’m also a big fan of shimmable pads. My saddle fitter uses cut up yoga mats to make custom shims. I have a young horse who is developing, and an older horse who is in and out of work – having the ability to stick shims in there is a life saver.

Beyond that I am a big fan of wool backed pads as they do a great job keeping backs dry and cool. Toklat makes a reasonably priced line of pads (matrix?) that are wool backed with pockets for shims.

I agree that a professionally fitted saddle rechecked every 6 months as your horse changes is money much better spent than a fancy pad with a saddle that has not been fitted.

[Bogie]

I have a mattes pad with shims that I use when needed, but most of the time I use just a sheepskin pad and have saddle fit checked every six months.

It amazes me how much you can spend on a saddle pad these days!

[Kitt]

If the saddle fits the horse well, it shouldn’t need anything more than a thin cotton quilt pad. In a perfect world …

However, if your horse’s back is in transition, a good shim pad with a shaped top is invaluable. It saves wear and tear on the saddle’s flocking, and it allows you to make changes immediately to accommodate growing muscle. You can get full or half, with or without fleece, synthetic or felt shims. It does require some knowledge and feel to use correctly, but as others have said, it’s a great help.

Some of the better shim pads (IMO) include Mattes (I like the plain cotton quilt), Skito, Toklat and ThinLine.

[DancingArabian]

If the Equipedic pad is working why not just get one?

[Kels]

Thanks for the replies. I am realizing that I have turned into crazy horse mom after not having owned in the last 10 years and I want everything to be perfect! (Reasons why I’m not having children #s 100 and 561.)

I will check out all of the suggestions I’ve been given and ultimately, after the chiropractor comes out next week and I see how she’s feeling, will get a saddle fitter out (Kitt, thanks for the recommendations in my area, I will call Cordia ASAP).

I just want to make the best investment since I know she will be changing, so shims will help. I do trust my trainer but would like to, for once, be doing my own learning/research instead of just going with things without knowing the “whys.”

[Bogie]

One of the most valuable things you can do is spend time with a saddle fitter so you understand how a saddle should fit and the many ways it might not fit.

I’ve been watching my fitter for the past 15 years fit both my own horses and those of my barn-mates and I have learned a ton. It also helps you understand how to use shimmed pads.

My friends will tell you that I’m very good at telling them their saddles don’t fit . Not sure they always want to hear it but I suppose it’s better than having a horse with a sore back.

People always want to believe their saddle fits and show you a saddle that’s perched like a party hat or sitting on their horse’s withers.

[wildlifer]

Note: there are good saddle fitters and BAD BAD BAD saddle fitters. Ask around.

[Bogie]

[QUOTE=wildlifer;7327843]
Note: there are good saddle fitters and BAD BAD BAD saddle fitters. Ask around. :-D[/QUOTE]

Very, very true.

[Kitt]

Ditto Bogie and wildlifer. A bunch of letters behind a fitter’s name may look impressive, but street cred is usually a better indicator. If a fitter’s reputation is overwhelmingly good (or the opposite), there’s usually good reason.

[Kels]

I think the same could be said for most professions! Thanks so much for the advice!