Saddle/Pad fit question - no shock pad?

enigma · 07-11-2007, 09:42 AM

I know next to nothing about western tack and fitting. I DO know that the horn goes in the front. *G*

My daughter got the complete package for her birthday - new horse, new saddle, new blanket, new bit.....you get the idea. Anyway, I've had her working this horse in the round pen, just walk-trot for now, so they get used to each other. I've been helping her with the tacking and untacking since she can't reach.

So now for the questions.

The horse is a little long in the back. My English all-purpose fits fine, and he seems comfortable. Daughter's western saddle seems to fit fairly well across the withers, no excessive pressure. But, with no rider in it, it's not in contact with his back in the rear at all. One of the issues the vet saw when he came out for the "post-purchase exam" was a tendency for the horse to park out when he was standing at rest, and said that could be due to the previous owners bouncing on his back instead of moving with him at the higher gaits. If I were going English and had the same picture, I'd shove a lollipop pad under, and just go with it. What do you do with a Western rig? I expect this horse to be packing my kiddo all over the west on trails and such, but I want him to be comfortable doing it!

DoBeSassy · 07-11-2007, 10:13 AM

What? No pictures? We like pictures. What kind of saddle pad are you using right now?

beth55051 · 07-11-2007, 10:25 AM

Make sure the saddle isn't sitting down too low on the horses withers first and that it does fit him properly. If it fits properly it shouldn't pop up in back.

The saddle should sit evenly from front to back and have consistent contact with the horses back along the entire length of the bars of the saddle. A good way to check fit is to put a dishtowel (or other white sheet) underneath your pad/saddle and longe/ride the horse for a while and then check for even dirt/sweat marks from front to back where the bars contact the horse.

After that on a horse we used to have that needed a "riser" we either used a navajo folded back over itself on top of another pad or used a built up pad backwards on the horse so the built up part was in the back.

Just make sure that whatever you use distributes the pressure evenly across the bars of the saddle. An english lollipop is the right idea but not wide enough for a western saddle.

championhorse · 07-11-2007, 10:52 AM

I agree with beth. If your saddle is sticking up in the back, check the front and make sure its not actually touching the withers, if its sitting low enough to be on the horses withers, you are putting preasure on the spine, and it is not fitting well at all.

If it is coming up in the back its not fitting well.

WYJumper · 07-11-2007, 12:58 PM

I agree Beth on the saddle fit and also you might want to think about trying a chiropractor for his back. I don't know if he is having any other issues with it but people bouncing on it will defiantly put it out, might help the saddle fit too.

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07-11-2007, 09:42 AM
enigma Long Yearling Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Colorado Posts: 1,266	Saddle/Pad fit question - no shock pad? I know next to nothing about western tack and fitting. I DO know that the horn goes in the front. G My daughter got the complete package for her birthday - new horse, new saddle, new blanket, new bit.....you get the idea. Anyway, I've had her working this horse in the round pen, just walk-trot for now, so they get used to each other. I've been helping her with the tacking and untacking since she can't reach. So now for the questions. The horse is a little long in the back. My English all-purpose fits fine, and he seems comfortable. Daughter's western saddle seems to fit fairly well across the withers, no excessive pressure. But, with no rider in it, it's not in contact with his back in the rear at all. One of the issues the vet saw when he came out for the "post-purchase exam" was a tendency for the horse to park out when he was standing at rest, and said that could be due to the previous owners bouncing on his back instead of moving with him at the higher gaits. If I were going English and had the same picture, I'd shove a lollipop pad under, and just go with it. What do you do with a Western rig? I expect this horse to be packing my kiddo all over the west on trails and such, but I want him to be comfortable doing it! __________________ There is something about the outside of a horse that is good for the inside of a man. ~ Winston Churchill

07-11-2007, 10:13 AM
DoBeSassy Kid Safe Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Texas Posts: 5,538	What? No pictures? We like pictures. What kind of saddle pad are you using right now?

07-11-2007, 10:25 AM
beth55051 Bombproof Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: East Central Minnesota Posts: 7,977	Make sure the saddle isn't sitting down too low on the horses withers first and that it does fit him properly. If it fits properly it shouldn't pop up in back. The saddle should sit evenly from front to back and have consistent contact with the horses back along the entire length of the bars of the saddle. A good way to check fit is to put a dishtowel (or other white sheet) underneath your pad/saddle and longe/ride the horse for a while and then check for even dirt/sweat marks from front to back where the bars contact the horse. After that on a horse we used to have that needed a "riser" we either used a navajo folded back over itself on top of another pad or used a built up pad backwards on the horse so the built up part was in the back. Just make sure that whatever you use distributes the pressure evenly across the bars of the saddle. An english lollipop is the right idea but not wide enough for a western saddle. __________________ *Until one has loved an animal, part of their soul remains unawakened.*

07-11-2007, 10:52 AM
championhorse Long Yearling Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 1,374	I agree with beth. If your saddle is sticking up in the back, check the front and make sure its not actually touching the withers, if its sitting low enough to be on the horses withers, you are putting preasure on the spine, and it is not fitting well at all. If it is coming up in the back its not fitting well. __________________ Rev 19:11 I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. The armies of heaven were following him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen, white and clean. 15 Out of his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations.

07-11-2007, 12:58 PM
WYJumper Product Reviews & Conf. Clinic Moderator Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Least Populated State Posts: 1,342	I agree Beth on the saddle fit and also you might want to think about trying a chiropractor for his back. I don't know if he is having any other issues with it but people bouncing on it will defiantly put it out, might help the saddle fit too. __________________ Steph