Wither pad recommendations

[sidesaddlegirl]

I bought a new saddle and had the saddler check it and he said that it was a good fit but that it just needed lifting off Hattie's withers a bit. He can't reflock it as it's a close contact saddle with felt panels but he folded up a tea towel and I test rode it in that and it made the saddle more balanced.

He said to look for a wither pad but the rest of my saddle doesn't need padding up.

I found these ones:
http://www.totally-tack.co.uk/acatalog/Numnahs_and_saddlecloths.html (at the bottom of the page)

http://www.thesaddlery.co.uk/product_info.php?products_id=732

But then was wondering if the Stephens ones are any good?
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/FRONT-RISER-PAD-GELEE-FISH-STEPHENS-GEL-EZE-NEW-IN-BOX_W0QQitemZ160287796531

The only this about the Stephens one is if it pads up the rest of my saddle which I don't need. Are they really non slip too?

 

[Birker2020]

I would just warn you that using a riser pad long term can cause other problems. My wintec didn't fit my previous horse as he was very high withered and the pommel came down to low on his withers. If I put a narrower gullet in the saddle the saddle then came off his withers but then caused pressure in other places as he was a medium fit. I bought a front riser pad which brought the front of the saddle off the withers beautifully, but a few months later I had to have the chiro out to a horse with a sore back. The chiro said it was because the weight had been transferred to the back of the saddle.

Just a point worth remembering. Personally I'd sell the saddle and by something that fits your horse 100% that a qualified saddle fitter has fitted to your horse, and if there is any doubt that your horse will not remain in teh same shape (few do I would imagine) then I would seriously consider getting one that can be reflocked. Just MHO but worth considering neverheless.

 

[Coffee_Bean]

Prolite wither pad.

 

[sidesaddlegirl]

Thanks guys for the input- I was leaning towards the prolite

Unfortunately, the close contact saddle was one of only two saddles out of the MANY I have tried that didn't slide forward on Hattie (the other being a £950 Albion dressage) causing her to buck me off. I've had master saddlers out but unfortunately, money is tight at the moment and I can't afford a custom saddle for her weird conformation.
It's not ideal but the wither pad is the best I can do at the moment until I luck out and find a REALLY cheap Albion SLK.

The saddler that came out is a master saddler and he said that it's not too bad a fit but that my saddle needs a tiny bit of lifting. I'll keep having him check my saddles though to make sure things are staying ok.

 

[almorton]

ditto applecart!