What are your thoughts on riser and prolite pads??

Scaty_Bird

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Question in the title really.

I am very much of the opinion that the saddle fitting is paramount but I am just thinking of using one as a temporary measure until the saddle fitter can get out to see me. It will probably be two weeks max that I would be using one.

What are your thoughts? Experiences?

Thanks!
: o )
 

Bowen4Horses

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hmmm, i think there's a time and a place for them. they can certainly help in some situations (it can be better to use a pad rather than change the flocking in some temporary situations).

my only advice is, make sure you don't get ones with definite 'edges'... think about how long saddle fitters spend trying to make the flocking even/unlumpy etc... yet so many people whack a riser pad/ill fitting numnah in and cause pressure points that way instead... so, make sure the edges aren't pressing into the horse... does that make sense?

depending on the nature of the problem (whilst waiting for the saddle fitter) it can also be useful to use a nuumed (or similar) sheepskin numnah.

xx
 

Emily91

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A correctly fitting saddle is essential. Sometimes risers and prolites are often misused and cause more harm than good. However if used correctlythey can work, and if its going to stop as much damage being done while you wait for the saddle fitter it could be useful. I would say go for a gel pad type thing rather than a riser as riser tend to just shift the pressure to a different area if your not careful. Also i would say be careful if using one with a saddle that doesnt fit because its too narrow, adding one may cause it to become even tighter and add more pressure.
 

Scaty_Bird

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Thanks both, will think about my options. It's only two weeks so I could not ride and just do groundwork with him.

The saddle fits correctly but where he's lost weight the saddle is now sitting too low on his withers so thinking a riser may just cause more pressure on either side??
 

PonyIAmNotFood

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As a general rule, I don't like them but in this case if he's lost weight then the saddle may now be slightly too wide which would make it sit low. In this case a thicker pad or gel pad would do as a short term solution until it's sorted I would imagine if the rest of the fit is still ok :)
 

treacle_beastie

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my saddler came out to check the fit of my saddle which is now too wide as she lost weight and rather than altering the flocking fitted a prolite riser instead which I have been using for a couple of months now and has worked wonders - she has built up some muscle and the saddle fits now. The alternative would be to buy a new saddle but she fluctuates weight too much and I would end up needing 2 saddles!
 

teddyt

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Most pads just move the pressure from one place to another. Probably better to not ride for 2 weeks until your fitter has seen your saddle.
 

Spinal Tap

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I was always told that a saddle should fit with a thin numnah, but horses often change shape seasonally & if a saddle fits perfectly coming out of winter, there's a good chance it will be tight at the end of summer and vice versa. My approach these days is to get the saddle fitted to my horse when she's likely to be at her widest, then put something like a sheepskin half pad or prolite under the saddle if/when she drops condition. Different pads do have different thicknesses and some can be shimmed, I have a whole load of different ones (had a treeless saddle once ;)) so I use the one which is most suitable given the situation. I do have the saddle checked regularly by my saddler but I'm confident enough these days to tweak the pads myself in between his visits :)
 

kezimac

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my saddler told me the only pad the master saddle society recommends is a prolite pad - not the riser ones but the normal ones and that it does not affect the way the saddle fits. he didnt need to have it when he fitted my saddle to new horse, it removes pressure points
 

coss

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i think there is a time and a place. my mare has a very dippy back due to age, my saddler came out and was suprised at how well the saddle actually fitted - main problem was it was bridging though and that changes with how fit she is and age is only going to make it worse... so she ordered a prolite pad that has the pads in the middle - this means i can pad the middle where she is dippy and the saddle no longer bridges, and uneveness is covered by the prolite rather than changing the saddle every few weeks...
 

missyme10

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Prolite front risers have a good use if used correctly, and if correct do not put pressure elsewhere.

The purpose of a front riser is to fill the gap between your horse and the saddle where the saddle is slightly to wide.

The pad as a whole is not thick, but thickens towards the front, at the points area of the saddle, thus providing the necessary excess padding to rise the saddle up from the withers to the correct height.

I have a pony who fequently changes weight and shape due to issues not related to her back, I'd have to have a saddle fitter out every month if I was to go with the theory of it should always fit, not to mention several saddles.

The prolite front riser is my solution as reccomended by a saddle fitter to my problems.
I adjust accordingly to her weight.

They should never used where a saddle is too narrow though, will obviously reduce the width therefore causing more pressure.

They are a good solution for a horse that has had long time off through illness until they build themselves back up, or those with fluctuating weight, its what they are designed for.

I live in the real world, 1k saddles reflocked every few months, and changes of saddles just aren't possible, lucky if you're rich and can :D:D:D:D
 
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