What is the advantage of a halp pad?

I only use a half pad with my eventing saddle as its quite hard, so i use it (as advised by my saddler) to add more padding so its more comfortable for my horses. I use it inbetween the numnah and the saddle.

A lot of dressage riders use them because they look good, personally i dont see the point if they arent there to serve a purpose apart from aestetically (sp)
 
I agree
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A lot of Pro riders use them as they tend to have one saddle for many horses. Then they became "fashionable". If you have a saddle that has been specifically fitted to your horse you shouldn't have to use one as they can alter the saddle fit and make the saddle too tight.
 
i use on currently as my horse has a new saddle which is a smidge too wide , purposefully to allow him to muscle into it , so i use it to improve the fit a little , i think some of them are so thick that on a properly fitting saddle they would actually be a bad thing?
 
My horse can suffer from skin issues - a sheepskin half pad is naturally anti-bacterial and wicks the sweat away better than anything else. I therefore use one on vets advice, and both my saddles are fitted to require one. I use it next to his back (or what would be the point?!) with a saddlecloth over the top, and as I say, both saddles are fitted to take this arrangement.
 
There is a practical use, rather than just following fashion.

Sheepskin can be very beneficial when next to the horse's skin as it absorbs sweat naturally and minimise rubs. A half pad obviously gives a protection layer on the back but has no bulk under the saddle flap so keeping the close contact.

Mind you, the fashion for a half pad on top of a cloth numnah does make me smile. The usual excuse is "I want to keep the sheepskin clean" but. if brushed out after every ride, they probably need washing less often than cloth.
 
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