Which Prolite!

[mustardsmum]

I have a Kent and Masters MGU (flat backed wide) saddle, which has recently been fitted to my flat backed, low withered Forester. Unfortunately, it seems to be causing my pony some discomfort - was fine at first but seems to have flattened out since flocking and he is clearly not very comfortable a month on. My saddler advised I use a prolite pad until he can get here in a week or so. So I am going to get a prolite relief pad, but just wondered if anyone can recommend whether the wide prolite would be better? The saddle is 17". My previous prolite I found was very narrow and a medium saddle overhung it at the back, so just wondering if anyone has used the wide prolite pads?

 

[Squeak]

Tbh for the sake of a week I'd probably do ground work or lunging etc instead. You can't guarantee the prolite will help enough, they're fairly expensive for a weeks use, and it's just not worth the risk of causing any damage.

 

[Sossigpoker]

As above, I just wouldn't ride for a week.

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

I have a Kent and Masters MGU (flat backed wide) saddle, which has recently been fitted to my flat backed, low withered Forester. Unfortunately, it seems to be causing my pony some discomfort - was fine at first but seems to have flattened out since flocking and he is clearly not very comfortable a month on. My saddler advised I use a prolite pad until he can get here in a week or so. So I am going to get a prolite relief pad, but just wondered if anyone can recommend whether the wide prolite would be better? The saddle is 17". My previous prolite I found was very narrow and a medium saddle overhung it at the back, so just wondering if anyone has used the wide prolite pads?

I would just not use the saddle in my experience if the saddle has flattened which often happens with new saddles but not in a month that is not acceptable get the fitter back, I wouldn't be adding pads and such after a month are you sure the saddle fits ?

 

[mustardsmum]

Thanks for comments

Yes saddle was a great fit and we know that as he had a saddle which didn’t fit and he was displaying similar issues. Once new saddle was fitted he went beautifully, until this week. Saddler did say the saddle could need adjusting in 12 weeks from first fit, but clearly that has happened more quickly as pony has been working lots. I have complete faith in my saddle fitter but I have a shape shifter pony! Those with foresters will know what I am talking about…. He is also quite sensitive so lets me know if something is amiss. I know some people who would say he’s actually avoiding working being nappy etc, but I feel he’s uncomfortable and so just really looking for advice on pad sizing, as I know how to make him comfortable to be able to work short term until flocking can be adjusted.

I know people who use the same saddle on different ponies all the time and use pads to "fit" their saddle to numberous ponies. If they didn’t, they would have similar issues to what I am seeing in my pony atm. I don't necessarily think this is a good thing for long term use, but for a couple of weeks I don't have a problem using a pad to compensate for a change in shape of my pony. That is the purpose of these pads. And like I said this is to temporarily make him comfortable until the saddle can be adjusted. Spoke to my saddler who suggested returned to the set up we used while we waited for new saddle to arrive - where I had a pad. So I am going to buy the same pad as I borrowed before. My question was re the size of the pads, as I don’t have the pad I originally borrowed from the saddler and just thought I would ask here rather than bother him! Obviously the saddler may not make it within the week and if this is the case I want to keep working pony.

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

The thing is using a pad will make the saddle fit narrower if the saddle is not wide enough you are then making it tighter and risking casing serious muscle damage.

The only way to see is to try a few different options and see if he seems more comfortable, the prolite are quite thick so maybe try one and then try a gel pad which are much thinner and see what happens.

I use shim numnahs and a prolite for one of my horses but he has lost top line so they are there to compensate for that, as he builds more I adjust them so the saddle fits.

 

[sbloom]

It doesn't really make it narrower, even flocking struggles to do that, but narrower means a change in angles. A thicker pad, in most but not all cases, even without a front riser, lifts the front of the saddle more than the back. It CAN cause pressure points if not carefully fitted, especially at the top and rear of the wither, and should never be subsituted where a saddle fits well with a thin pad, as it will make it tip back, and possibly bridge. I'm personally not a big Prolite fan, there are much better options, and I too would suggest groundwork etc in preference to a pad you might only use for a week. I would measure the space your saddle takes up on the numnah and then ask Prolite for measurements if there are none.

 

[mustardsmum]

The thing is using a pad will make the saddle fit narrower if the saddle is not wide enough you are then making it tighter and risking casing serious muscle damage.

The only way to see is to try a few different options and see if he seems more comfortable, the prolite are quite thick so maybe try one and then try a gel pad which are much thinner and see what happens.

I use shim numnahs and a prolite for one of my horses but he has lost top line so they are there to compensate for that, as he builds more I adjust them so the saddle fits.

Again, thanks for your replies. I did not put all the info in about the fit as I was really just looking for advice on the size of the pads, so probably should have put more info in. The saddle seems to have gone low at the front which I am assuming is because we’ve shifted some weight off him. Further conversation with Saddler who has seen photos/video suggested trying a wither pad to start (with one shim) - which is what I will do. Then if pony still not comfortable, putting a prolite half pad on until he can get to me. I am experienced enough to know if he's comfortable and if he's not I wont ride him, but previously it worked for a couple of weeks. He was lunged tonight, so riding will be kept to a minimum for now.

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

Ahh maybe the weight loss has altered the fit I believe prolite do 2 different thickness pads although I've not bought one for years, they are often on ebay maybe have a look be a bit cheaper in case it doesn't work as they are not cheap new, I know they do the shim version as well bit I've not used that one so can't comment on that.

 

[mustardsmum]

Ahh maybe the weight loss has altered the fit I believe prolite do 2 different thickness pads although I've not bought one for years, they are often on ebay maybe have a look be a bit cheaper in case it doesn't work as they are not cheap new, I know they do the shim version as well bit I've not used that one so can't comment on that.

This is what I think has happened. A friend has lent me some of her pads - hopefully I’ll get a date from the saddler asap ……

 

[sbloom]

Probably a combo of the flocking bedding in and weight loss, just be sure that the horse's posture hasn't dropped in front, it can be a vicious cycle.