In many cases we create a pressure measurement with the help of a horseback model to archieve a perfect fit and padding. Air Ride Wool Pad CXHDQ-33. To provide comfort and protection for your horse’s back, the saddle pad’s closeness and fit are important components that should be considered. Air Ride Felt Pad CXHDFQ-33 . 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. Sit in the same size of a variety of different styles and brands of saddles and you'll find significant differences in the fit. These saddles greatly reduce the tendency of some saddles to slide or roll. A cut back saddle pad is a pad that actually has a section cut way for the withers to provide relief. 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. Ensure the saddle does not block the horse’s front shoulder or extend beyond the last rib in their ribcage. When the saddle is sitting … Contour. It is important to note that a saddle pad is used to help improve the fit of a saddle. Let’s do an experiment - Put the spine of a saddle pad over your outstretched leg and tug down on it. Any less and you risk sliding over your pad on uneven terrain. Login; Menu. Some saddle pads even have cutouts for the wither area. If you have long legs, you may need a larger seat size so your knees do not hang off the front of the fenders. Solve every saddle fit issue with comfort. A contour saddle pad is designed for the horse that has the slight dip in their back or those with more prominent withers. Because the neoprene is sticky, it is less likely to slip or bunch. Subscribe to get special offers, free giveaways, and once-in-a-lifetime deals. There are chemicals in the horse's sweat that breaks down genuine fleece and if not cared for properly, will cause the fleece to break down and become unstable. You might find that a 14 1/2-inch Circle Y barrel racing saddle fits well, but that you need a 15-inch in a Dale … 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. Ideal Fit - The front and back of this saddle is level, distributing the rider’s weight evenly over the horse’s back. The front part of the contour will relieve pressure from the withers. Skip to content. The goal in saddle fitting is to have the greatest amount of contact between the bar of the tree and the horse. Horse Tack … The seat in this saddle is nice and level. It’s best that you take a step back and take a close look at your horse while he is saddled to determine fit. However, the wrong pad can cause unwanted pressure along your horse’s spine, which can lead to sore muscles and joint pain. inch saddle pads. A built up saddle pad is useful for a horse with high or prominent withers. I’ve always been told that if you have to choose, show more pad in the front so that as it naturally wants to slide back, you still have adequate support up front for your horse. Click here to learn more! The three most useful are foam topped pads (ie Thinline), Sheepskin pads, and shim pads. The front of your saddle should be positioned behind your horse’s shoulder blade, allowing him freedom of movement. Best Ever Pads can show you how with our saddle pad fitting guide. A slightly larger seat is better than too small. When they are inserted into the pad, they enhance the shock resistance giving the horse a more comfortable fit. In addition, make sure the angle of the saddle matches … Thick or thin. For me, I like to see about three inches on both the front and back side of my saddle. This often fixes problems such as 4 corners of the saddle tree putting pressure on the horse, rather than the pressure spread across the tree bars. This way of fitting the rider is specific to our saddles. 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. With the saddle on without any pad, you should be able to assess the bars. It’s best that you take a step back and take a close look at your horse while he is saddled to determine fit. Not sure what to get for your horse? 1 – The NHS range of Smart and Air Pads. It is built up along the center, raising the saddle up off the withers. Any more and you're forced to deal with an unweildy saddle pad. While that. The photos to the right show a good fitting pad vs an oversized pad. (Often when the rider is on a horse with riser pads the saddle is still uphill). We will happily provide a free phone consult with one of our saddle pad fitters to help you access saddle fit and saddle pad fit both before and after buying a CSI Saddle Pad. 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. If it fits well, you don’t need a thick pad or more than one pad because it will make the saddle too tight for your horse and very uncomfortable. Ideal Fit - The front and back of this saddle is level, distributing the rider’s weight evenly over the horse’s back. The open shim pocket makes the best correction western saddle pad for comfort and fit. In general, you should have 4" between the front of your body and the swell of the saddle. A swayback saddle pad is a pad that has a gradual increase in thickness towards the center of the pad. Resist the urge to add more saddle pads - this is like adding more socks to a shoe that is too tight! The next issue is saddle fit. Move the saddle back and forth a few times to find the ‘sweet spot’. These pads do tend to wear faster than other types. I like saddle pads that have a contoured top, these fit nicely into your saddle’s gullet. "The bars of the tree should lay completely flat on the back without any rocking," says Oliver. Symptoms: girthiness/cinchiness, grinding teeth, tossing head, irregularity in front, hollow back, inverted neck, sacrum out of alignment, white hairs. It should be breathable, so I don`t recommend buying saddle pads … Treeless Saddle Pad Treeless Saddle Pads with support, shock absorption and ability to shim. The normal or straight saddle pad can be used on horses with normal a normal wither definition. The wider the saddletree, the lower the front of the saddle will sit. Professional's Choice Orthosport Saddle Pads are specifically designed for strong-shouldered and prominent-withered horses and have a 1/2 inch breathable core, plus a second layer of padding in the dished out areas behind the shoulders and along the spine. We don’t encourage one saddle for a horse, they change just like us! After delivery, the saddle should ideally be evaluated and controlled while the horse is in motion. Professionals Choice Quest Comfort-Fit SMx H.D. It should be breathable, so I don`t recommend buying saddle pads that are made out of synthetic materials. I currently have to saddle pads, one is a felt lined with breathable holes along the spine that is about 3/4 inch thick, it has the neoprene material sandwiched between the felt. This is determined by doing a wither tracing at this point and matching it to the angle of the tree of the saddle. These are some of the most important tips: EQUESTRIAN ACTIVITIES TO DO IN QUARANTINE, Improve Your Jumping Skills: SHOW JUMPING TIPS, Fun Activities You Can Do With Horses in Halloween, Criticism in Equestrian World and How to Deal With It, 5 Reasons Why Your Horse Needs Leg Protection, Fitness and Health Benefits of Horseback Riding. At some future date her findings on Western saddles will be available. 1. 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. Think of it like choosing the sports wear for yourself. fit for the horse. An ill-fitting saddle is not something to put on your horse, but the wool pad does alleviate pressure points some saddles may cause. 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. If you’re unable to purchase a saddle that fits your horse, consider consulting a saddle fitter and using shims to correct the fit. To give you the most effective advice, you should be prepared to take some digital photos and email them to us at csisaddlepads@gmail.com. He wants the saddle skirt to fit close to the horse's back. The cells are tightly woven together, making it resist absorbing moisture. Felt has the ability to draw sweat from the horse and while doing this; it transfers the heat and dissipates it in the felt. The padding of the saddle proceeds within our production before delivery to obtain a optimal results. All the time. We discourage oversized seats to keep you forward and over the horse's balance point, but still be comfortable and properly aligned for the type of riding you do. Some pads will be designed to compensate for slight saddle fit problems or to provide more wither or spine clearance. This is determined by doing a wither tracing at this point and matching it to the angle of the tree of the saddle. No pad in the world, no matter how expensive or high-tech, is going to help that. The fleece is often either a synthetic fleece or actual wool or sheep fleece. Most importantly: wider is NOT always better. So what are the most important criteria for choosing the right one? 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. They can provide a number of solutions including balancing a saddle along the topline, balancing the saddle laterally, minimizing acut… One advantage of these pads is the sticky affect. Your horse may have changed shape for some reason (injury, time off, time of year). Air Ride Felt Pad CXHDFE … A correctly fitting saddle is essential for horse and rider comfort and for optimum performance. 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. Although the airflow is very good, the foam does not have the same wick effect of felt pads. The 14 essential point for correct saddle fit are these:: Saddle Tree Angle. A tree angle being too wide or tree width too narrow is the most common saddle fit error. These are placed where contact between the bars of the saddle and the horse should occur. Ultimately saddle fit will protect your horse’s back the most. With a published saddle seat size, choosing the right size saddle would seem to be pretty straightforward. One of the most common saddle pads is the pad made with a fleece bottom. The 14 essential point for correct saddle fit are these:: Saddle Tree Angle. Traditionally, English saddles were used without a pad or 'numnah '. Keep in mind there is no standardization in the industry for tree sizing-measurements differ between tree makers, saddle makers, and saddle styles. I spoke with Jodie Mesko of 5 Star Saddle Pads about how to choose the appropriate saddle pad to fit the horse, saddle, and job being accomplished. Straightness: saddle should not be skewed to one side when viewed from back. 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. My Account. Unlike English saddle pads, which are one-size-fits-all, Western saddle pads vary in skirt size. Shims can be used with any saddle pad. MATERIALS . Great for full wither relief. Login . Extra padding may be built into the pad, or the design may include pockets for inserts. Don’t just consider the front and back of the saddle, also look at the seat itself. Rated 5.00 out of 5 $ 179.95 Select options; Six Point Saddle Pad – Cotton Half Pad. Place the prospective saddle on your horse’s back without a saddle pad or blanket. The wool fleece has a bit more cushion than synthetic fleece but it does not usually have the longevity of synthetic fleece and often becomes matted and compacted quicker. Our shims are made of shock absorbing pressure distributing ThinLine foam. The gel inserts are heavy and will cause the pad to be heavier and are usually expensive items because of the process to insert the gel sections into the pads. Because of this WOW™ named itself, being the one word everyone said when they rode on it. It also provides a very nice cushion to help resist impact. Your saddle pad should fit up and away from your horse’s spine and withers. International orders receive additional discount at checkout. To learn more about tree angle click: HERE My Account. The front of your saddle should be positioned behind your horse’s shoulder blade, allowing him freedom of movement. These are helpful in relieving the pressure a pad may have when resting on the withers. During a long trail ride, check periodically. 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. That might be creating more of a problem. Early saddle pads or blankets were only used to keep the saddle clean, protecting it from sweat and dirt. The padding of the saddle proceeds within our production before delivery to obtain a optimal results. And, according to B.C.’s Meredith Dean, of Trading Post Feed and Tack, thicker isn’t necessarily better either. Neoprene bottom pads are water resistant and are quite easy to maintain and keep new looking. My Account. Your saddle is too narrow if the front of the saddle sits high. Search … Search . Ultimately saddle fit will protect your horse’s back the most. $177.95 $156.99. Proper saddle placement Bars of the tree should settle behind the horse’s scapula. The three most useful are foam topped pads (ie Thinline), Sheepskin pads, and shim pads. When You Should Use a Corrective Saddle Pad . Get the details right. As a general guidline, we've found that it's best to add an additional 2"-3" to the length of your saddle. Some half pads have shim pockets to allow you to add front or back lift which will help re balance your saddle. $215.94 $179.99. Try Our free quiz and  see what color matches your horse the best! The wider the saddletree, the lower the front of the saddle will sit. The foam often molds to the back of the horse for better contact. Shims can be used with any saddle pad. The waffle bottom allows the material to breath which helps cool the horse during the long trail rides. The straight saddle pad is for the round or mutton wither horse or horse with a flat back. ¾" to 1" compressed wool is also a great component for shock absorption. Over all, a felt pad is often a very good and possibly one of the best choices for a saddle pad. There are so many saddle pad models out there.. And even as an experienced rider I am sometimes questioning myself: does this saddle pad really fit my 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 … These are some of the most important tips: Saddle Pad should be large enough to cover the Saddle area to protect the back from unnecessary tension. Your horse may sweat during work, and your girth may need tightening after several hours in the saddle. The median size for a western saddle pad is 30 inches by 30 inches when stretched out. Saddle pads are not intended to correct major saddle fit problems. The OG Collection. 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. This is important as a saddle will travel back/ forward to settle into this sweet spot. Saddle Fitting Shims Saddle fitting shims for English and Western saddle pads. In the saddle fit world often a rid . A saddle pad should not be used to permanently correct poor saddle fit. A saddle pad should be used as a temporary aid until your saddle fitter can help with the adjustment. All our saddle pads are 100% made of high-quality breathable cotton. Her new book discusses findings with English style saddle fit and what to look for with pad materials. “A lot of people think their saddle doesn’t fit, so they put on a thick pad. When You Should Use a Corrective Saddle Pad . The right saddle pad should provide closeness to your horse, offer shock absorbency and weight distribution, and absorb excess moisture while retaining airflow. Think of it like choosing the sports wear for yourself. 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. The fleece saddle pad is usually the least expensive saddle pad. If the pad is a felt type pad, the inserts are usually buried within the felt. Exceeding expectations each and every order, Proudly family owned and operated since 1986, Pay over time with our new monthly payment options, Thousands of new and used saddles to choose from, Circle Y & Tucker Saddle Sale or $ Discount + FREE SHIPPING WITH CODE. Before you try to fit a Western saddle, place a saddle pad on the horse's back. An ill-fitting saddle is not something to put on your horse, but the wool pad does alleviate pressure points some saddles may cause. Find a pad that helps to hold it securely in place, even when your horse is working. Rated 5.00 out of 5 $ 179.95 Select options; Six Point Saddle Pad – Cotton Half Pad. Ideally you should pick the good quality 100% cotton saddle pads. It is often between layers of the pad. We will happily provide a free phone consult with one of our saddle pad fitters to help you access saddle fit and saddle pad fit both before and after buying a CSI Saddle Pad. However, closed cell foam is not as breathable as other options. Half pads are a good way to alter the fit of the saddle. ¾" to 1" compressed wool is also a great component for shock absorption. Closed cell foam is denser than open cell foam, allowing it to keep its shape better while still allowing a cushioning effect.