Half pads.....

[Piglet]

I have bought an"off the peg" Thorowgood Dressage Saddle and being advised by my saddle fitter that as I need a saddle with dropped panels, which my Thorowgood doesn't have, I would need to use a half pad. I have a Heather Moffett Memory Foam Half Pad but it is too thick and I was wondering if there are any other brands out there which don't have a couple of sheep attached to the back and front.

 

[MuddyMonster]

A friend uses the Shires fleece half pad with her saddle which is much thinner than some. It doesn't look like a sheepskin pad though (you can tell it's cheap & cheerful), which may or may not be a problem for you.

 

[milliepops]

I like sheepskin pads but how about a prolite pad? Alternatively I have one of these https://shop.shiresequestrian.com/p/adjustable-non-slip-saddle-pad
Which is fairly thin without any inserts.

 

[Kat]

Premier equine do a shock absorbing one with no fluff.

 

[coss]

Prolite pads are good.

 

[Equi]

Its probably rude to say...but get a better fitting saddle/saddler who will be honest about fit vs what owner wants.

 

[Shay]

The only time a saddle fitter should advise the use of a half pad is when the flocking is foam and so cannot be adjusted. Otherwise the saddle should be fitted to the horse. Plenty of people do use half pads - I do - but the saddles are fitted to allow for them. If you do have a foam backed saddle then when you have chosen your half pad your saddler should come back to re-fit allowing for the pad. In my view it is not acceptable to tell an owner just to get a half pad.....

 

[Piglet]

Fair point Equi, i have got a made to measure saddle which has been fitted by a trusted and registered saddle fitter which fits my horse perfectly and cost me £1000. It is a VSD style and I prefer Dressage but I needed a saddle to jump in and I couldn't afford a made to measure dressage saddle so I went for the next best thing.

 

[JillA]

My fitter recommended one while I was waiting for her to come and refit, as she isn't often in the UK. Get as good as you can afford, mine is Le Mieux sheepskin (at her suggestion) and works a treat

 

[sbloom]

The only time a saddle fitter should advise the use of a half pad is when the flocking is foam and so cannot be adjusted.

Actually I often advise a sheepskin under a new, very well fitting saddle. Many back people and saddle fitters agree that a slightly thicker pad with more compression allows for soft tissue expansion than either foam or flocking. I agree that the saddle needs fitting to compensate, but we already know that this pad is needed to make up for the lack of dropped panel, so it's highly likely the fit is by definition taking a half pad into account. However they do vary in thickness, ultimately it's often better to use something you have so the fitter can check it, or buy one from them, or have them back out to check it (or send photos, though not sure if all fitters are happy to do that).

OP, I would go for the best quality sheepskin you can afford, and consider having the pad able to take shims. I recommend Mattes above all others, not cheap but you get what you pay for. The HM pad will be lifting the front too much, don't go too think otherwise you're not getting what you need from the pad.

The world isn't perfect, and often a well fitting tree, with not quite the right panel, and a pad to compensate, is a good idea, especially where funds are limited and/or a horse is going to change shape rapidly.

 

[Piglet]

Thank you sbloom for your advice will take on board re the mattes pad with shims?