Temporarily raise front of saddle?

[FabioandFreddy]

I'm sure i've read somewhere that as a (very) temporary fix you can use a folded towel or similar to raise the front of a saddle. Can anyone explain how to do this - i.e. how long/wide should the towel be folded and if anything else like a fleece bandage folded would work better? And is it better to put between the saddle and saddlepad or under the saddlepad?

Long story short i have the saddler coming out on Tuesday to sort as Fab's lost some weight and also a bit of muscle from being off when he had cellulitis. I've put a sheepskin half pad on with his saddlepad for a temporary measure but his dressage saddle is tipping me forward as it definitely needs adjusting. I have a lesson tonight so thought this option may work for a one time only measure!

 

[soulfull]

I've done this a few times to help with muscle loss too
I use a thicker type tea towel folded in half and half again(so it's on the shorter side) place it directly on the back but lift it up into the gullet so it doesn't put pressure on withers
Hope that helps

 

[PorkChop]

I personally wouldn't use a towel. Can you pick up a cheapie polystyrene riser or borrow one?

 

[soulfull]

I personally wouldn't use a towel. Can you pick up a cheapie polystyrene riser or borrow one?

There is nothing wrong with using a towel. I was shown how to use it by a master saddle fitter well actually 2 of them. One very old school and a much younger one lol

 

[PorkChop]

There is nothing wrong with using a towel. I was shown how to use it by a master saddle fitter well actually 2 of them. One very old school and a much younger one lol

Fair enough, I have never been shown how to!

 

[soulfull]

Fair enough, I have never been shown how to!

That also fair enough . I'm very lucky. I spent 3 years going around helping a master saddler fit all over the country.

I think that's why this forum is so great

 

[Love]

I used an equigel pad folded lengthways which worked well - just a thought incase you had one lying around

 

[littleshetland]

Oven gloves. The bits that you put you hands in sit either side of the wither and the connecting fabric holds them together. Works very well.

 

[sbloom]

Concertina a towel in decreasing depths so it makes steps, all edges together at the front, tapering off underneath to the middle of the saddle. Anything thick simply folded in half will leave a thick edge under the saddle which makes a pressure point and can make a saddle unstable. Correction pads with shim pockets, I only use and recommend Mattes, are very useful to have in the tack room for occasions like this and are nice sheepskin pads for the rest of the time.

 

[autumn7]

Sbloom - is there a reason that you only recommend Mattes correction pads/shims please?

 

[FabioandFreddy]

Thanks for the replies.

Sbloom - another would like to know why you'd only use the Mattes. I think i will get a pad with shims as with 2 horses it will more than likely come in handy at some point so will go off recommendation. I know a lot of people use the Prolite ones, do you not rate these?

Also with the concertinaing a towel, i take it a hand towel would be ample big enough for this?

 

[cremedemonthe]

Wither pads as they are known are old school, we used to use knitted wool wither pads when I trained but others have said if done correctly you can use a towel or similar

 

[FabioandFreddy]

Like this?

 

[Dizzle]

Concertina a towel in decreasing depths so it makes steps, all edges together at the front, tapering off underneath to the middle of the saddle. Anything thick simply folded in half will leave a thick edge under the saddle which makes a pressure point and can make a saddle unstable. .

I used a long towel so the ends hung well below the saddle. Looked awful but was a short fix for a few days and all I had to hand!

 

[oldie48]

My new horse is lacking condition and with work should muscle up over his back. I'm therefore, quite reluctant to have him fitted for a new saddle but am using one pro-tem which is a reasonable fit but needs raising at the front a bit. I'm using a prolite pad and it seems fine for now.

 

[FabioandFreddy]

Thanks - the towel worked a treat and confirmed the saddle definitely needs raising at the front so will get it sorted next week. But as a temporary fix at least i was in a better position in the saddle for my lesson.