Thorn saddle pads?

[BlackISH]

I know Thorn saddle pads are quite a good option for small ponies and children to ride in but does anyone use them on larger horses (15hh+) or with adult riders?

I have a 15.1hh ISH - he’s being brought back into work so whatever saddle I get fitted now isn’t going to fit him in 4-6 months due to change in shape/topline and muscle. I’ve had saddle fitters in the past who have fitted I’ll-fitting saddles to my previous horse which absolutely ruined him and I’ve lost lots of money when selling these saddles on as well.

I’m seriously considering getting a thorn saddle pad instead of another saddle but was just wondering what people’s experiences with them on larger horses are like? Also any recommendations for non-slip numnah or pads to go underneath?

Thanks

 

[Polos Mum]

Following this as I'd be interested in this too for breaking my 15hh whole change 25 times before he'll be ready for a proper saddle.

 

[Elf On A Shelf]

For bigger horsed and thus adults I would look for a half tree racing exercise saddle. They have a little more structure for the stirrup bars which spreads the weight better. But the majority of the saddle is totally flexible with no tree.

 

[Hipo]

My adult daughter has always had one for her Exmoor and does everything in it. We haven’t found a conventional saddle that will fit her very wide flat back.

 

[dorsetladette]

Alot of native ponies are shown in them. I've seen several D's out competing in them. I would say you need a very good balanced seat. I had one for my small D for desensitisation work. He is very flat backed and broad. I didn't think the flaps were long enough/seat wide enough for his frame to be honest.

 

[Gloi]

You need something with a flat back, like a round native, for them to work

 

[Hallo2012]

i rode my very wide sec B in one for about ten days between saddles and it was HORRENDOUS! he is very good and i am very balanced but i just felt so unsupported and theres not a chance id get on anything big in one.

 

[Elf On A Shelf]

i rode my very wide sec B in one for about ten days between saddles and it was HORRENDOUS! he is very good and i am very balanced but i just felt so unsupported and theres not a chance id get on anything big in one.

Ah but your used to dressage saddles with lots of stuff around you! If you rode in it every day for a month you would get the hang of it.

They are very much an aquired taste. I get on with them fine because I have never ridden in a saddle that has lumps and bumps to hold you in. I have spent my life on pony pads, next to nothing show saddles and racehorse exercise saddles.

For a bigger horse I would defos go for an exercise saddle over a pad. The pads are designed for flat, witherless ponies. The exercise saddles are designed for shark finned thoroughbreds.

 

[gallopingby]

I wouldn’t touch them on anything above a very small children’s pony ridden by a lightweight child. One of my large breeds was ridden in one before l bought him as he had outgrown his saddle. It took 18 months and lots of work to get him back to full fitness and happy to be ridden in a ’proper’ saddle. They obviously work for some people but also can put pressure on the back, there are plenty better solutions about.

 

[Hallo2012]

Ah but your used to dressage saddles with lots of stuff around you! If you rode in it every day for a month you would get the hang of it.

They are very much an aquired taste. I get on with them fine because I have never ridden in a saddle that has lumps and bumps to hold you in. I have spent my life on pony pads, next to nothing show saddles and racehorse exercise saddles.

For a bigger horse I would defos go for an exercise saddle over a pad. The pads are designed for flat, witherless ponies. The exercise saddles are designed for shark finned thoroughbreds.

i actually rode for a showing yard for years so rode in flat show saddles every week and still found it awful.

i dressage in a show saddle now and the pad was still utterly horrific by comparison and in no way a viable option.

so i am used to flat saddles thanks and would still never recommend a thorn pad for anyone other than tiny tots.