SADDLE HALF PADS.... YES... NO... MAYBE... WHO REALLY CARES???
Your horse does for starters!! And so does your saddle fitter.
Some people will say a saddle that fits well doesn’t need a pad.. we’ve all heard it before, a thin saddle cloth is all you need.
As a saddle fitter I really don’t care one way or the other if a rider wants to use a pad under their saddle. There are times I recommend not using a pad for a couple of different reasons but most of the time, it’s riders choice. Sometimes horses need them, sometimes the rider just wants to use a pad 🤷♀️
If you choose to use a pad on your horses that is the correct style and size for your saddle, there are a couple of very important things to consider. Two of the main ones when it comes to using pads are…
1 - Tell your saddle fitter you want to use a pad AND have that pad at your fitting. The pad has to be taken into account when fitting your saddle.
2 - The thickness of the pad is extremely important! Whatever thickness pad your saddle is fitted with needs to be the same as what you compete and train in. This is vitally important!!!
A slightly thicker or thinner pad WILL change how your saddle fits and most likely how your horse works and their comfort.
Imagine walking around in your boots all day at the stables in thin socks. Super comfy, no blisters, no sore feet 👌 Now imagine heading to a show and putting your ‘comfortable’ thick socks on. Suddenly your super comfy boots are tight and hurting your feet 😖 Same goes for your horse if you add or use a different thickness pad on competition day.
Tight saddle = tight back = decline in performance
The three pictures below show how the balance of the saddle can change with different thickness pads and as such the entire fit of the saddle. What appears to be a tiny change can have a huge affect, both on the horse and rider.
To help you get your eye in, I’ve included pictures with coloured lines and dots to compare.
The yellow dot is a large round piece of chalk which has been allowed to roll and stop at the balance point.
If you’re struggling to see the difference looking at the seat, look to the white dot which is on the same hole of the stirrup leather in each photo. You’ll see the balance point change dramatically compared to the placement of the stirrup leather / white dot.
The pads used for this example all Thinline pads.. same saddle, same saddle cloth and same pony. Its not the brand of pad that make the difference, its the thickness (Thinline are a personal favourite of mine and I may have more than a few in my tack room...)
The first photo (white pad) is 4.8mm thick Thinline
The second photo (black pad) is 6.4mm Thinline +
The third photo is thicker again - cotton Thinline Trifecta (the equivalent of adding a second saddle cloth under the white pad)
So, using a pad or not, it’s totally up to the rider, but the saddle must be fitted with that particular pad!!
This is why I have 2 of almost everything. My family think I have a problem, I look at it as home and competition wear 🤭
If you’ve got any concerns about how your saddle fits and would like to book an appointment, drop me an email at info@mequestrian.com.au (remember I’m based in the Swan Valley Western Australia..., as much as I would love a working holiday, the travel fee to the eastern states would be a killer 😜)
Happy riding,