Total saddle fit pad problems?

[appendix100]

got a TSF pad for horsie. He moves really well, seems very comfortable since I switched to it.
BUT I am starting to see a bald areas on at the back of the withers.

When I intially got the the pad, I had the wither shims in as he is a TB type. Pad/saddle were getting pushed too far back. Pulled the shims, saddle & pad now stay where they belong, but I just notice this the other day, about 2wk after I pulled the shims. The saddle itself has been checked.

They have a great return policy, so I think I am unfortunately going to need to return this unless someone has a fix for me. Anyone have any recommendations on alternative pads?

[Montanas_Girl]

@appendix100

The saddle itself has been checked.

What did the saddle fitter tell you about how this saddle fits (or doesn’t) your horse? I’m confused about your use of shims - either they were needed for saddle fit reasons or not.

Personally, outside of specific situations (lesson horses/riders where the horse/saddle/rider combination changes regularly, young horses changing shape rapidly, etc.) I do not like using pads and shims to make a saddle “work” on a horse it does not fit. I’d rather just buy a saddle that does fit the horse and then use the absolute minimum amount of padding under it. And I say this as someone who owns Arabs, so saddle fit is ALWAYS a challenge on my horses!

[appendix100]

When I bought the horse, he had not been in work for awhile, & had very little topline muscle, pockets behind the withers. He has now filled out considerably. When I bought the TSF pad, I assumed he would need the shims because that is how we had been going, I was incorrect & pulled the shims. When the bald spot started, had fitter come out & recheck the saddle as there had been so much change, currently good, according to him.

[Montanas_Girl]

Gotcha. That makes a lot more sense with the additional details.

So the saddle fitter thinks the fit is good, but he’s still getting rubs/bald spots? Is there a seam in the pad at the spot(s) where it is rubbing? I’d probably return it, too, in your place.

[sheltona01]

If you are talking about the pads with the cut out in the front, get rid of it. They do nothing but cause issues with the horses.