Half Pads for sore back

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MGKIRA

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I've had mare a couple of years now and she's unfortunately had various ailments and injuries - she is now sound and the physio and vets are happy with her after another year of rehab. She has got a sore back which stemmed from her stifles (which she had surgery on and is fully rehabbed).

The vets and physio have said it will take time to resolve but she needs to use herself correctly to strengthen these muscles. Ive got my saddle fitter coming out next week for a routine check and was thinking is it worth trying a half pad underneath. I was planning on buying one and bringing it and if saddle fitter advises against, sending it back.

I've started to have a look around and there's so many available made of various materials. Can anyone recommend a type to best try? I've got a budget of £100 for one but there's just so many out there? Popular ones seem to be memory foam and sheepskin.

Thanks!
 
Saddle fitter here - groundwork and bodywork to get rid of residual soreness. I wouldn't be riding if there's any risk she's still sore, and wait until your fitter comes, so many customer go off and buy pads, goeths even stirrups that are wrong for them, if they'd asked me I could have saved them the money or have them spend it on the right product for them and their particular set up
 
Okay so to clarify.. she has been checked regularly by physio vet and saddler every 3 months .. she is okay by all of them to ride.

I was more interested in everyone’s opinions on different types.

In her rehab I have been doing a lot of ground work, when I say she is sore, the physio has said she’s a bit tense. Sore was possibly the wrong word to use. She is getting better and I am being advised they’re happy for her to be ridden.
 
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Definitely save your money for if and when your saddle fitter recommends something! There was a point last year where all anybody seemed to talk about was the premier equine sheepskin pads as the best thing ever, my saddle fitter caught me before I caved to peer pressure. "Your saddle fits now, if you put a wool pad under it, it will not fit the same" and that was me back in my box, £100+ less poor and grateful.

Now it's equitex everywhere, and Winderen making inroads too, promising the world. Spending your money on your vet, physio and saddle fitter is a much better investment imo.
 
That is kind of why it is useful to have the pad you are potentially going to use at the saddle fitting appointment though, so it can be fitted to accommodate. Unless the saddler is bringing any, mine have always been fitted with room for dead sheep.
 
Don’t ride her until her back is 100% comfortable without a rider on board. If she gets upset, ‘is naughty’, and/or has an accident, you’ll kick yourself. Be patient. No saddle fitter worth their salt would do a saddle fitting with a horse that has a sore back. Sore backs are tense backs, ie not a fair representation of the actual shape of the, therefore not worth fitting a saddle to because the horse will tighten its muscles to protect itself from discomfort, or potential discomfort. If the saddler does come, then only lunge and they'll have to come again to fit when she’s comfortable and you can sit on her knowing she’s happy, therefore you’re both safe.
 
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