Lifting a thorn pad off the withers...

[TwiggyL]

I have a thorn pad for short term use, while I search for the perfect saddle/bring my pony back into work after rehab & rest.

I was wondering how best to keep the pad from pressing down on the withers?

I have been looking at Stephens gel-eze pads and am keen on them; it’d be nice to find something which minimizes the risk of wither pressure/back soreness that I can also use under a treed saddle, eventually.

Any recommendations appreciated!

 

[The-Bookworm]

If you have withers then you sound like you need a treeless pad with the spinal clearance.

 

[Nudibranch]

I don't think a gel-eze pad would give enough clearance. I'd be looking at one of the proper treeless pads. However something which would also work under a treed saddle wouldn't be suitable for a Thorn pad imo.
Equitex are popular; I like Haf although they're not as readily available. A Suber pad would also do the job.

 

[sbloom]

I think any pad with inserts that are smaller than the saddle panel are a bad idea. Shetland pads are for flat witherless horses so there is no real way to get them to sit around a wither, you could try a Mattes pad (good channel on them, thick top quality sheepskin) with shims inserted all the way through to give clearance, a Prolite would do a similar job but the foam really doesn't absorb shock etc as much as they imply. Could you not get a used saddle that will work for now, if you buy well you can sometimes even make money on them when you need to sell?

 

[Fransurrey]

Christ Lammefelle treeless pad. I used one under my Thorn.