How do you know how thick of a saddle pad you need? I currently have a pad that needs replacing - it is a 1/2" wool felt Toklat pad, but it doesn’t seem thick enough for my new saddle (squishes down, not a lot of support). I was talking to the people I got the saddle from and they thought I’d need at least a 3/4" pad - but how do you know?! I do have a SaddleRight pad on order (have one for my english saddles and love it) so I’m hoping that will work. But again, how do you know? And without buying and trying pads of every thickness, what are you supposed to do? If the SR pad doesn’t work out, I think I’ll try a 5 Star because I’ve heard good things about them.
There are major differences in quality between mfgrs, and I go with 5 Star pads as a result.
I’ve been told to use 5/8" for a riding saddle, and 7/8 or 1" for a roping saddle.
Different thickness will affect how your saddle fits, however, so that should be a consideration as well.
Just don’t use a gel pad.
I choose a saddle pad based on the fit of the saddle to be honest. I have some that are 1/2" all the way up to 1.5".
I have a 5 Star, went with the 3/4" and love it, but the next one I order will be a 7/8" I think.
I just keep trying different thicknesses until I find the best fit for that saddle on that horse. Which is why I have a towering stack o’ saddle pads in my tack shed. 
[QUOTE=Jaegersgirl;7323148]
I have a 5 Star, went with the 3/4" and love it, but the next one I order will be a 7/8" I think.[/QUOTE]
Why?
