Bareback saddle pad - thoughts?

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MsDingle

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As some of you may know I have semi rescued a rather out of condition TB cross that needs bringing back into work. Finding a saddle to fit the very high withers and lack of topline plus raoched back will be a nightmare and having one made seems pointless given that she will change shape.

Has anyone tried a bareback saddle pad (with stirrups) and what are the general thoughts?

My concern would be pressure concentrated on one area i.e. the stirrup line up over the back.

Oreo cookies and milk all round!
 
Why don't you do groundwork to build up topline before you start riding. Long reining and lunging getting him working low. Possibly even leading up hills.

My boy was poor, had a roached back and total lack of muscle when we got him and didn't have a problem fitting a saddle, we got a Thorowgood with changeable gullets and fish so when he changes shape we can adjust the saddle.
 
Sorry - forgot to put 'following on from post about building topline and muscle'

This is just a temporary option so that I can see her ridden and assess her work requirement, see if reschooling is required etc and just get her used to someone on her back after her time out of work, without the additional weight of a saddle, was my train of thought..
 
I am thinking about buying one as I ride bareback a lot and am sick of hairy jeans :rolleyes:. My friend has one and she raves about it. She's also a bareback rider and, same as me, got fed up with getting all hairy. She doesn't use the stirrup attachments and neither would I. I would have the same concerns as you in that the pressure from the stirrup line may not be a good idea. My other friend has just bought one and she intends to use the stirrup attachments but as she hasn't yet I can't give you any feedback on them.
 
I have a bareback pad, but tend to use it without stirrups. they do get a horse used to the idea of saddles/girths etc and allow the rider to be a bit more comfortable when riding bareback.

the one I have has two rings (one either side) for attaching stirrups to, so I'm not sure there would be any pressure on the horses back - especially since, if she's poor, you wouldn't be riding for more than 15 to 20 mins at a time.
 
I use a Best Friend bareback pad because it has a bit of lift for the wither. I'd avoid the rigid flat ones (like the Parelli bareback pads). I never use stirrups with a bareback pad because I think it's dangerous, the pads aren't stable enough to stay put if you get your weight thrown down into one stirrup. Also you are right about the pressure issue. There are some lovely bareback pads on EBay, go have a look, but the Best Friend is a nice economical option.
No stirrups - an opportunity to develop your independent seat.
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thanks for the name - I have just looked them up online, look like a good option for the withers. Had not considered the danger issue with the slipping round if weight thrown off balance, very good point.

I don't think I am a good enough rider to go without stirrups on a horse I have not ridden, so I a might leave that to the experts! I have seen her ridden bareback though and she was absolutely fine.

Hmm decisions.

Alternatively - best saddle for high withered, no topline and roach back please!
 
Both my wife and I use a Best friend pad without stirrups, gives a bit more of a feel for the horse, I also use a treeless saddle, but thats just my prefrence.
 
I'm currently horse-less, but the last mare I had was a TB with a very poor topline and an old injury to her withers which would flare up quite easily. We tried numerous saddles, and also tried one of these bareback pads, and to be honest I didn't find it great. The one thing we did invest in that was absolutely amazing was a treeless endurance saddle which was sheepskin backed. Comfiest thing I've ever sat on, and was the only thing we tried that didn't cause her problems.
 
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