Saddle pads for wither dip/dropped back

[NikkiS]

Mare has been out of work for 3+ years and has developed a dropped back/muscle loss around her withers. Saddle fitter agreed her saddle STILL fits well enough, but I need to give her some additional comfort in the wither area. There is a noticeable gap where her muscle has atrophied.

Saddle fitter recommends a Corrector pad…haha! I prefer to eat dinner, so I need other recommendations. Currently have her going in a 1" Diamond Wool contoured pad. Tried a friend’s Classic Equine Biofit and it looked great, but she warned me they fall apart. Something about the two layers constantly separating…having to glue them back together…etc. Eh…doesn’t sound like a very good buy to me. Recs? Under $150? TIA!

[NoSuchPerson]

Diamond Wool makes a pad with 3 pockets on each side for shims. It’s about $130.

Professional’s Choice makes a pad called an OrthoSport Barrel Saddle Pad that has extra padding behind the shoulder and running up to the wither area. I’ve got one, I don’t love it, but if you need a pad to fill up that area, it’s effective. I searched around online when I bought it and found a discontinued (ugly) pattern/color for less than $100.

If you’re looking for a short-term fix, you can always make your own with scissors, a couple of cheap thin felt liner pads, and velcro/gorilla glue.

[NikkiS]

I will look into the diamond pad. I actually used to own the Prof Choice pad for another horse I used to own. Hated that thing. So dang slippery. lol. I’m really liking your idea of the DIY shim pad. I’m thinking I could gorilla glue some Velcro squares onto the pad and homemade shim and can take it on and off!

[NikkiS]

Just took a look at that diamond pad. I am not really a fan of the design. It’s straight with no contour (however, it does have a cutback wither…), but I also don’t like that it’s all one piece. I prefer the pads that have independent sides with the leather down the spine.

[pAin_t_Misbehavin]

Diamond wool makes one like that - contour with leather down the spine. I have it and one horse loves it. He’s older with a dropped back and I get nice even sweat marks using it with my flex-tree saddle.

Younger horse, like yours, has been out of work and the saddle that used to fit now bridges. Sadly he doesn’t do wool. So I got one of those fake fleece pads and a 1/4 inch felt pad that I’ve cut into strips. I don’t even use glue or velcro. I just put the felt strips between the pad and the saddle and they stay put fine. Maybe because I left them the original width and cut strips to fill in where I saw clean spots on the underside of the pad.

[NikkiS]

Does the diamond wool contoured one you have include the shims? If that’s the one, would you mind posting a link? B/c if that’s the case, I would love to pick one up. I really do like the diamond pad I am currently using. My husband will be thrilled to inherit it. LOL.

[NikkiS]

Nevermind, I think I found it! Is yours like this? http://www.diamondwoolpads.com/products/details/3

[Bluey]

We used to buy cheap foam rubber eggcrate sheets in the Walmart bed or crafts division and cut, with an electric kitchen knife, shims to fit any shape we wanted.
Then stick them between the regular felt pad and sheepskin bottom and they lasted for long time.

They also make “built-up” saddle blankets that work fine for older horses with that conformation, that are not going to build much more muscle there:

http://www.statelinetack.com/item/mustang-navajo-cutback-built-up-saddle-pad/E000362/

While looking for that link, I also found the pads for sale, self-standing, that you can stick between the saddle and pad:

http://www.valleyvet.com/ct_detail.html?pgguid=2e87bf59-7b6a-11d5-a192-00b0d0204ae5&gas=western%20saddle%20pads

Some like these also are made of simple felt in different thickness.
Have not seen those before, wondering how well that would work for you, one more option out there.

[Mtn_trails]

I have one of those pads you mention Bluey; the one that fits between the regular pad and the saddle. Works great for my horse and was a lot cheaper than buying a new pad.

[Bluey]

[QUOTE=Mtn trails;8018515]
I have one of those pads you mention Bluey; the one that fits between the regular pad and the saddle. Works great for my horse and was a lot cheaper than buying a new pad.[/QUOTE]

Good to know, thank you for the information.

[cloudy18]

I have the Diamond Wool you linked, the contoured one. I recommend it. You could also try a regular swayback pad, but I think you have more flexibility with the shims in the Diamond Wool.

[Showbizz]

[QUOTE=Mtn trails;8018515]
I have one of those pads you mention Bluey; the one that fits between the regular pad and the saddle. Works great for my horse and was a lot cheaper than buying a new pad.[/QUOTE]

I think I love you. I’ve been shopping pads for a very old, low-backed gelding and am so afraid of shelling out $$$ without trying it on him first. Buying this right away!!

[Mitch]

[QUOTE=Mtn trails;8018515]
I have one of those pads you mention Bluey; the one that fits between the regular pad and the saddle. Works great for my horse and was a lot cheaper than buying a new pad.[/QUOTE]

Same here! I concur

[froglander]

I’ve been thinking of trying the shims offered here:

http://www.aboutthehorse.com/secure-web/html/videopadorderform.shtml

I like the idea of the one that says “Used to level a saddle or to compensate for a down hill conformation”

[Snowdenfarm]

I have an About The Horse pad with shim. My horse suddenly started rounding up his back and raising the base of his neck. Nothing else changed. I am a fan.