if a saddle fits correctly, do you still use prolite pad/back pad

[clairefeekerry1]

or even thick numnah?? i know some alter saddle fit so that is obviously going to change the fit of a saddle but what about the all in one saddle cloths, or gen protecter pads or even poly pads?

 

[LadyRascasse]

you need to tell your saddler what you are going to use. my saddle is fitted with a sheepskin half pad on saddlers recommendation (thin skinned thoroughbred)

 

[Luci07]

No - I was told by my saddler it would be like putting on really thick socks after you had bought the correct size shoes. I do have a variety of pads/risers etc acquired over the years but this have been when I have needed to get a saddle to fit for a new horse/dramatic shape change.

 

[flyingfeet]

I do, as I found my horse tended to get lumps and bumps (non-serious). Using a sheepskin pad just stops this.

 

[LadyRascasse]

[ QUOTE ]
I do, as I found my horse tended to get lumps and bumps (non-serious). Using a sheepskin pad just stops this.

[/ QUOTE ]

my gelding get this he can't use normal numnahs as he comes up in a rash i use a highwither nuumed one with half sheepskin lining which has stopped this

 

[ester]

I put a prolite under mine, am pretty sure that is why he then had obv white hairs when I clipped him that winter, they have gone now. It just made it too tight behind his shoulders I think.

 

[charlie55]

I have to use thick numnah's as my boy is sensitive and can buck if i dont. But the saddle is fitted with a thick numnah so its fine.

I see so many people having their's fitted with a normal saddlecloth, then stick on a sheepskin half pad the next day because they are in fashion!!! Then wonder why there horses wont move forward when asked.

 

[clairencappelli]

Absolutley anything you use should be fitted with the saddle!.

Altering pads such as prolite should only be used when it isnt possible to fit a saddle normally. However sheepskin type pads must be fitted with the saddle of they can make it pinch as its narrows the saddle dramaticly at the frount so a wider saddle would be needed to accomodate it.

I was always advsied by my trusted saddler only a very thin numnah should be all thats needed to keep the saddle clean.

 

[Hippona]

I use a prolite...the non-altering/raising kind.....just for a bit of extra protection on my high-withered old lad. It has a numnah in-built so no extra faffing and he is definately more comfortable with this than with saddle cloth and sheepskin pad purely because it doesn't alter the fit.

 

[BFG]

Nope my saddle fits perfectly and was made for my horse so there for i can only use a standard cotton saddle cloth. There really isnt any room under my saddle for anything other than my horse.

 

[Kallibear]

Yes, but only if the saddle is fitted with that in mind.

I also use them if the horse loosed weight dramatically. or they have quite severe muscle damage and therefore the saddle is fitted a little wide then padded up until they develope more muscle.

 

[Kenzo]

No but then a pad of your choice is handy to have if they change shape either muscle wise or drop/gain weight but you need to keep a very close eye on it as it raise and narrow the fit slightly and will alter the balance of the saddle and bring it away from the shoulder point a tad.

Its why so many people on competion/dealer yards manange with just a hand full of good quality saddles for so many horses (of very similar shape) by padding up, if it doesnt fit...they make it fit!

not ideal and no doubt a saddler woud tar and feather them but hey ho.

A new saddle is not going to fit like it fitted from the start anyway, so when you have it looked at again in most cases you can get away with using a pad unless you have it re-flocked again but its always best to double check.

 

[mickey]

My saddler fitted my saddle with a polypad the year before last. I have ditched all my polypads (well shelved them) for now as last year he fitted it with a regular saddle cloth. The fit depends on my horse's shape, muscular and fat wise. I would always get my saddler to fit the saddle with the relevant numnah/pad underneath otherwise surely it wont be a good fit?
I try to stay away from front risers etc, as saddler isn't a fan. I would discuss the fitting of sheepskin under your saddle, if required (with your saddler).