saddle pads should fit

Move the saddle back and forth a few times to find the ‘sweet spot’. The Cadillac Series saddle pad adds a 3/8″ closed-cell foam insert throughout the bars of the saddle. Pictured here is a mare, Gracie, whose owner sent me pictures to assess saddle fit for her. dry spots, rolling, soreness), Please upload a side picture of your horse saddled and unsaddled. muscle behind the shoulder blade, and the need for a shoulder bridge pad. Typically, smaller horse saddle pads measure 20 x 20 inches. If you have long legs, you may need a larger seat size so your knees do not hang off the front of the fenders. Over all, a felt pad is often a very good and possibly one of the best choices for a saddle pad. Saddle Pads And Saddle Fit. It is important to note that a saddle pad is used to help improve the fit of a saddle. When all else fails, you may need a different saddle with a better fit. Your saddle fits just right if it sits level on your horse’s back and the bars of the tree do not pinch. A correctly fitting saddle is essential for horse and rider comfort and for optimum performance. Resist the urge to add more saddle pads - this is like adding more socks to a shoe that is too tight! Holly has this to say regarding fit, “For me, the most important thing to consider is comfort. The shoulder bridge pad fills in this “hollow” area, allowing the saddle bars to make better contact with the horse. When You Should Use a Corrective Saddle Pad . I also dislike the super thick pads. This is true for polo ponies, dressage horses, western pleasure horses, you name it. Some pads will be designed to compensate for slight saddle fit problems or to provide more wither or spine clearance. Girth the saddle, mount and recheck the fit. A wider tree may be needed; flex trees can also work well with this conformation. Synthetic pads have the highest profit margin for makers. So what saddle pads should be used, then? Early saddle pads or blankets were only used to keep the saddle clean, protecting it from sweat and dirt. Saddle pads that mimic the shape of … While that How the saddle should fit on your horse: Australian saddles do sit differently on a horse than Western or English saddles, and a different fitment approach is required. For the rider, the saddle should allow approximately 4” between the swell of the saddle and the front of your body, and your seat should fit to the base of the cantle but not push against the back. For smaller ponies, get a saddle that fits first, then use the saddle size as your guide for deciding the pad size. Saddle Pad Fitting Guide If you’re not sure which horse saddle pad is right for your horse, let Best Ever Pads help walk you through the steps and show you how. A tree angle being too wide or tree width too narrow is the most common saddle fit error. Thick or thin. Cleaning the dirt or sweat out of a saddle pad or blanket will be much easier than cleaning the fleece on the underside of a western saddle. Straightness: saddle should not be skewed to one side when viewed from back. When the saddle … With all types of saddles (yes western) and all types of saddle pads. Proper Saddle Placement: Proper saddle placement in the front for riding and to check the saddle length: You want the front of the tree bar right behind the shoulder blade for the rest of the saddle tree bars shape to fit a horse correctly. However, the wrong pad can cause unwanted pressure along your horse’s spine, which can lead to sore muscles and joint pain. I like the nesting spoons description. Before you try to fit a Western saddle, place a saddle pad on the horse's back. The saddle should be level. The Most Effective Saddle-Fit Pad Ever Made. First of all, the symptoms I have listed can have other causes. Your saddle is too narrow if the front of the saddle sits high. We’ll show you which saddle pads will help maximize you and your horse’s comfort and performance. Symptoms: girthiness/cinchiness, grinding teeth, tossing head, irregularity in front, hollow back, inverted neck, sacrum out of alignment, white hairs. We would suggest our 1" Fleesar Saddle Pad or 1.25" Kush Wool Saddle Pad, We would suggest our 1" Kush Wool Saddle Pad, We would suggest our 3/4" BHS Fleece Saddle Pad, We would suggest either our 3/4" BHS Fleece Saddle Pad, 1.25" Kush Wool Saddle Pad, 1" Fleesar, 1" OG Wool Saddle Pad with a Navajo, or a 1" Kush Wool Saddle Pad with a Navajo, 2445 Paradise Lane, Los Osos, CA 93402Phone: 805-528-8009Text: 805-234-5836. This mimics your horse’s spine trying to lift as you ask him to move forward. If you feel you could use a little additional cushion we would suggest our, If your horse is more round back we would suggest our, If your horse has average withers we would suggest our, If your horse requires a little extra support, or has a slender thoroughbred build we would suggest our. Got the western pad for a hard to fit horse and have used it with 2 different saddles that had 2 different fit problems (one would move to the right a caldwell and the other was a martin saddle that was wider in the gullet was able to solve problem with each saddle on same horse. inch saddle pads. In many cases we create a pressure measurement with the help of a horseback model to archieve a perfect fit and padding. Smaller riders should generally try the 30 sq. The tree angle must be the same as the angle of the horse's shoulder at a point 2 to 3 inches behind the rear edge of the shoulder blade. With six fitting pockets, this unique pad offers more shimming options than any other pad and outperforms the antiqued 4 pocket pads in every aspect. I like saddle pads that have a contoured top, these fit nicely into your saddle’s gullet. A slightly larger seat is better than too small. Rated 5.00 out of 5 $ 179.95 Select options; Six Point Saddle Pad – Cotton Half Pad. inch saddle pads. These pads do tend to wear faster than other types. With all types of saddles (yes western) and all types of saddle pads. First we’ll cover a tree that is too wide for a horse and then about the tree that is too narrow for a horse. Login . Thick or thin. A wider tree may be needed. Rod Nikkel, a Western saddle tree maker for over 20 years, explains the essentials of how to check your Western saddle for fit. What are some results you can have with the use of a 5 Star 100% PURE wool Flex fit saddle pad?It will eliminate pressure along the top of horse's wither.Allows your horse to move more freely.Eliminates potential sore shoulders, hocks, backs.Allows horse to perform better.Eliminates readjusting saddle (will not have to stop and re adjust saddle and pad to free up the withers).Results in a happier and more … The pictures t me also show a saddle more forward than it should be. The BHS Series saddle pad adds a 3/8″ closed-cell foam insert to help distribute saddle pressure. liv(at)proequinegrooms.com. The length of the dressage pad corresponds to the length of the saddle flap. Long legs on a rider may require a larger seat size, to keep your legs from extending past the front of the fenders or pushing against the back of the swell of the saddle. If my mare isn’t comfortable, she won’t be performing her best, which I’m sure is the same for everyone. Your saddle pad should fit up and away from your horse’s spine and withers. Saddle position. Gullet width: 3-4 fingers so as not to interfere with spinal processes, dorsal ligament system, and nerve endings along the back. They can provide a number of solutions including balancing a saddle along the topline, balancing the saddle laterally, minimizing acut… Check to see that the pommel, gullet or fork clears the withers by at least a couple of finger widths. The opening relieves pressure on the spine and can improve the fit of a saddle on some horses. Ideal Fit - The front and back of this saddle is level, distributing the rider’s weight evenly over the horse’s back. Some saddle pads even have cutouts for the wither area. The longer you ride, the thinner the pad will be. ... Secondly, regardless of discipline, a saddle pad can serve to protect your saddle’s leather, even if the saddle is a perfect fit. Most importantly: wider is NOT always better. If you wouldn't wear that stuff for underpants or socks why put it on the animal! This action of lifting the back creates a round, strong top line on your horse and allows for maximum comfort under the saddle. This is determined by doing a wither tracing at this point and matching it to the angle of the tree of the saddle. A pad that has fleece bottom and navajo or canvas top and 3/4" fo loosely woven synthetic felt won't give the same kind of firm support than the 3/4" firm felt pad. However, often the force and pressure can actually be increased by the use of a saddle pad that is too thick. Place the saddle on the horse’s back and slide it back to about two fingers width behind the shoulder blade. Six Point Saddle Pad – Sheepskin Half Pad. All the time. She is a perfect example of a horse with asymmetric shoulders. Best Western Saddle Pads Purchasing Guide Fit and Placement. Smaller riders should generally try the 30 sq. This is why I stress CONTOURED SADDLE PADS - give those withers some extra room! Professional Equine Grooms For smaller ponies, get a saddle that fits first, then use the saddle size as your guide for deciding the pad size. A wider tree may be needed; flex trees can also work well with this conformation. If you can fit a whole hand or more flat against the cantle, the saddle is too big. Saddle Pad Science. We’ll ask you about conformation issues, types of riding you will use your saddle pad for, pronounced withers and more. The saddle pad shouldn’t impair the fit of the saddle. If the saddle doesn’t fit the horse properly, back problems can result. And remember— not only should you check a saddle that you’re considering for purchase, you should check the way your saddle fits at least twice a year. Check to see that the front of the saddle panels/fenders are behind the shoulder … Shims can be used with any saddle pad. Resist the urge to add more saddle pads - this is like adding more socks to a shoe that is too tight! Stand behind the horse and look through the gullet, or the hollow space over the horse’s spine, and make sure you can see all the way to the horse’s mane. On the Romex wire put black electric tape on the ends, mark left/right & front/back on the ends. Your knee will have a lot of resistance, and won’t be able to bend so far. The saddle should fit the horse without any need for padding underneath it. Because proper saddle fit is so crucial, consider contacting a professional saddle fitter for assistance after using these guidelines, or at the very least, get a second opinion from your horse’s trainer or a knowledgeable friend. As a result it can cause focal pressure on the withers. I brought the shoulder relief grit about 2 years ago loved it. Start by placing the saddle gently on the horse’s back, slightly forward on the withers. If the saddle is not level, you can try adjusting it by using shims, sliding it forward or back to raise or lower the front, or trying different rigging positions. Traditionally, English saddles were used without a pad or 'numnah '. While sitting in the saddle, check the … Now try and bend your knee and move it up a bit. Saddle pads that mimic the shape of withers are the most comfortable for your horse! If your horse has big shoulder muscles and a small hollow spot we would suggest our Prodigy saddle pad (coming soon! A properly fitted girth sits approximately five inches behind the horse’s elbow. ¾" to 1" compressed wool is also a great component for shock absorption. This is how a saddle that does fit can then not fit as the horse gains or loses fitness. Skip to content. Click here to learn more! That same pad will be too much pad for a western saddle that fits "just right" or on a horse that is very flat backed and round (prone to saddle slipping). Because the neoprene is sticky, it is less likely to slip or bunch. If you and your horse are consistently having a sore back or galling issues, you probably need to try different saddles rather than try to correct the problem with a different pad or blanket. Ideally you should pick the good quality 100% cotton saddle pads. Don’t just consider the front and back of the saddle, also look at the seat itself. In fact, no other saddle pad is created like the Six Point Saddle Pad. Before beginning your evaluation of the saddle’s fit, make sure that the horse is standing square on a flat surface. If the saddles don't fit they can push pads out the back. Trying a Saddle for Fit. Rated 5.00 out of 5 $ 179.95 Select options; Six Point Saddle Pad – Cotton Half Pad. 10. If you can’t fit at least 4 fingers, the saddle is too small. It’s best that you take a step back and take a close look at your horse while he is saddled to determine fit. The CSI Flex-Plate® Saddle Pad was designed to reduce or eliminate all common saddle fit issues including pressure point soreness. Ken McNabb demonstrates the proper way to place on a saddle pad and saddle on a horse. Can you afford to have several good saddle pads, or should you work with a half pad so you can use it on top of a thin saddle pad? 4. When Should You Use Correctly Fitting Saddle Pads for High-Withered Horses? Search … Search . If the horse has lost weight but will regain it, or the horse is expected to put on muscle quickly, then the slightly wide saddle with a thick pad is a beneficial option. Horse’s backs aren’t perfectly flat and they all have withers (some more prominent than others). Balance: the center of your saddle should be parallel to the floor. All the time. Even the good saddle pads with good padding, well-fitting, and advanced features can’t do the job if the sale tree doesn’t fit the horseback perfectly. We get asked all the time about using pads to help a saddle fit better. The three most useful are foam topped pads (ie Thinline), Sheepskin pads, and shim pads. The seat in this saddle is nice and level. 1. Login; Menu. Withers clearance: 1-2 fingers all around the muscle at the pommel – not just over the withers! Mustang Correct-Fit Saddle Pad The Mustang Correct-Fit Saddle Pad is a contoured two-toned orthopedic grade felt saddle pad with Poron XRD and memory foam build-up is specifically designed to relieve shoulder strain and pressure. However if the front … It is not always possible to get this perfect "textbook fitment" shown here. Six Point Saddle Pad – Sheepskin Half Pad. An ill-fitting saddle is not something to put on your horse, but the wool pad does alleviate pressure points some saddles may cause. But if your horse is exhibiting them the saddle is worth looking at. Saddle fit is the most important foundation for any setup. You may also want to switch to a thinner pad if possible. A thick pad should only be a temporary "fix." You should be able to fit 4 fingers on the cantle, the raised portion of the back of the saddle, behind your seat. Also, do not use a saddle pad or cloth. I look for a contoured shape pad that will mold to my horse’s back, as well as provide an adequate amount of support around the … Rated 5.00 out of 5 $ 149.95 Select options; Six Point Saddle Pad – Cotton Half Pad w/ Wither Freedom™ Rated 5.00 out of 5 $ 159.95 Select options; Additional Liners – Shoulder Relief Cinch – Western. All rights reserved. Saddle pads are not intended to correct major saddle fit problems. The OG Collection. Best Ever Pads can show you how with our saddle pad fitting guide. Extra padding may be built into the pad, or the design may include pockets for inserts. With the saddle that fits well, less is more as far as saddle pads go, and your best bet is to stick with a high quality saddle pad that fits the shape of your horse’s back (if your horse has big withers, your saddle pad should too!). Other common problems that the right pad may help are the horse with prominent withers and/or a horse that is lean, fit or in poor flesh. My Account. The Fleesar saddle pad adds a fleece lining to create an especially soft feel for added comfort. Your saddle pad should fit up and away from your horse’s spine and withers, regardless of the type of saddle (western or English) and thickness of the pad. inch pads while a larger rider should consider 32 sq. A saddle tree may be warped if it pushes pad out the back and to the side. Your saddle pad should fit up and away from your horse’s spine and withers. Some half pads have shim pockets to allow you to add front or back lift which will help re balance your saddle. Copyright 2020 Best Ever Pads | All Rights Reserved. Fit. Choose a pad that has a complimentary contour to I like saddle pads that have a contoured top, these fit nicely into your saddle’s gullet. Home; Build Your Pad. When you’ve finished all the steps to check the saddle fit, put on a girth but consider skipping the use of a saddle pad. It is important to note that a saddle pad is used to help improve the fit of a saddle. However, the wrong pad can cause unwanted pressure along your horse’s spine, which can lead to sore muscles and joint pain. No pad is a substitute for a properly fitted saddle. Place the prospective saddle on your horse’s back without a saddle pad or blanket. You should be able to fit four fingers between the pommel and the horse. If you are a larger rider in a well fit saddle, or a smaller rider in a saddle with a larger-than-needed seat, a 32×32″ saddle will likely be a … Gel pads and foam pads are intended to help or prevent sore backs. We highly recommend using a 24” piece of 12-2 Romex housing wire (has just the right amount of flexibility but holds its shape), FLEXIBLE RULERS ARE NOT ACCURATE they are too flexible and don't hold their shape! The 14 essential point for correct saddle fit are these:: Saddle Tree Angle. When sitting in the saddle your thighs should not touch the back of … RIGHT: Placing your saddle on a too-far-forward pad will concentrate the weight of you and the saddle on your horse’s withers and shoulders, causing your saddle to put excess pressure on the front of his body, affecting movement and comfort. Learn how to measure your saddle for correct saddle pad fit to ensure your horse's comfort. No two horses are alike and saddle pad fit is of utmost importance to the horse. Large muscles behind the scapula can interfere with saddle fit. My Account. The shoulder bridge pad fills in this "hollow" area, allowing the saddle bars to make better contact with the horse. Rib Cage Alignment Changes Through Fitness What Shape Saddle Pad Should I choose? Ensure the saddle does not block the horse’s front shoulder or extend beyond the last rib in their ribcage. To be clear when we talk about how wide a tree is we’re only talking about the front of the bars only. The Proequinegrooms Podcast! Like English pads, relatively universal sizing is possible because the saddle pad is fit to the saddle. After delivery, the saddle should ideally be evaluated and controlled while the horse is in motion. Permission required to share photographs or copy. Large muscles behind the scapula can interfere with saddle fit. The Kush Collection saddle pad is made from 100% high-quality, washed & pressed wool. Login; Menu. All photography Copyright proequinegrooms.com and Liv Gude unless otherwise noted. We’ll show you which saddle pads will help maximize you and your horse’s comfort and performance. This mimics the saddle pad laying on your horse’s spine and wither directly. team roping, barrel racing, trail riding), Please tell us what saddle pad you are using now, Please tell us specifically what problems you are having (i.e. In the saddle fit world often a rider will think that if a saddle is too wide they can just add a pad and it will fill in the difference. Contour. ), If your horse has hollow spots and/or built like a thoroughbred we would suggest either, If your horse has slightly above average to high withers we would suggest our, If your horse had extremely high withers we would suggest our, Please tell us what discipline you do (i.e. In addition, make sure the angle of the saddle matches … Some saddle pads even have cutouts for the wither area. When the saddle’s placed over the pad, the front cinch will be too far back and not situated at his heartgirth where it should be. When the horse is comfortable and fit the shoulder pushes wider the rib cage elevates and the horse fills in in front of the wither and in the back. Below is a video clip on how to use our therapeutic saddle fitting pad the "The Remuda Pad" to help, if not solve, saddle fitting problems. Ultimately saddle fit will protect your horse’s back the most. Login Free Shipping within the USA My Account. This western saddle pad has a contoured wither for maximum comfort! 1 - TREE ANGLE INCORRECT A tree angle being too wide or tree Not every saddle pad is created the same. The front of your saddle should be positioned behind your horse’s shoulder blade, allowing him freedom of movement. The tree angle must be the same as the angle of the horse's shoulder at a point 2 to 3 inches behind the rear edge of the shoulder blade. You can place a pad anywhere and depending on length of pad and where you put it the saddle could be all over the horses back. Saddle Pad should be large enough to cover the Saddle area to protect the back from unnecessary tension. 3. Copyright 2011-2019 Professional Equine Grooms. In general, you should have 4" between the front of your body and the swell of the saddle. The right saddle pad should provide closeness to your horse, offer shock absorbency and weight distribution, and absorb excess moisture while retaining airflow. If you’re unable to purchase a saddle that fits your horse, consider consulting a saddle fitter and using shims to correct the fit. We will get back to you within 24 hours to make sure we find a saddle pad to fit your needs! The padding of the saddle proceeds within our production before delivery to obtain a optimal results. Your horse must be able to lift into an open space, not a saddle pad squishing him down. If you’re not sure which horse saddle pad is right for your horse, let Best Ever Pads help walk you through the steps and show you how. All-purpose. Flex trees also work well with this conformation. One of the most common issues that I run into in saddle fitting is that the angle of the tree (across several different models, styles and disciplines) is too wide. I wanted to do a quick rundown of the top 5 saddle fitting errors or issues that I run into when consulting on saddle fit. inch pads while a larger rider should consider 32 sq. Your backside should rest at the base of the cantle, but not be pressing against the back of the cantle. The pads we are covering in this article are most focused on protecting a horse’s back and improving saddle fit, which helps narrow the field. Listen Here, Show Notes Here! If you look at the blue lines that overlay her shoulder you will see that one appears larger than the other. b. 1. Most English saddle pads are all-purpose and are suitable for schooling, trail riding, and competition. In this experiment, your knee becomes your horse's spine and withers. 2. Search … Search $ 0.00 Cart. The 14 essential point for correct saddle fit are these:: Saddle Tree Angle. Experimentation will be important to determine what size fits your horse best, but if you are a smaller rider with a well-fit saddle you should first try a 30×30″ saddle pad. Closeness and fit provide the necessary components for comfort and protection of your horse’s back. Sizing the right saddle takes some trial and error. The shoulder bridge pad fills in this “hollow” area, allowing the saddle bars to make better contact with the horse. Even thicker pads should fit closely into the saddle along the spine so that the pommel is still clear of the horse’s back. The pad is mostly to absorb sweat and keep dirt off the bottom of your saddle, and just like your gym socks, should be washed frequently! This is determined by doing a wither tracing at this point and matching it to the angle of the tree of the saddle. Selecting a saddle pad is an important decision that should not be based on look and color patterns alone. a. Be certain to find someone with the appropriate expertise regarding Australian saddles and how they should fit your horse. To determine that the saddle is fairly level, just eyeball it, there is no need to use a level. Typically, smaller horse saddle pads measure 20 x 20 inches. At the very least, the horse won’t be able to work through his back, and he may … To learn more about tree angle click: HERE The back and withers lift so that the hind legs can come under his body and do their job. You will need a saddle fitting tool! Move it so that it is in the accurate position: the front of the saddle should rest on the withers without blocking the shoulder and the back should go no further than the last rib bone. Half pads are a good way to alter the fit of the saddle. There are so many “corrective” pad options available nowadays, and there are a few different types that serve specific purposes very effectively. Large muscles behind the scapula can interfere with saddle fit. Your horse may have changed shape for some reason (injury, time off, time of year). There should be enough space between horse`s wither and the top of the pad, so you can fit fingers of your one hand underneath the wither and thepads top. Our OG Collection saddle pad has been the core of the company since 2002. This is why I stress CONTOURED SADDLE PADS - give those withers some extra room! While in general the saddle pad for an English saddle should be used to protect the saddle, some horses need the extra protection for their back. My Account.

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