Lots of times people don't NEED a half pad. It does add a bit of padding and more shock absorption, but they use it because someone told them to, or because they like how it looks. My half pad has inserts that I can put in and take out, and it's great to tweak the fit of the saddle or add more padding in a certain place. If your saddle fits properly I don't see any point really to putting another extra layer in there.
I see saddles that are too far forward ALL the time, lol. Poor horses:P
ditto on halfpads. i have one w/ wither relief i got for very cheap that actually helps my horses back a LOT, and it looks nice too haha. but i also have another one that looks gross because it's cheap but actually helps my saddle fit. then i have one horse that fits my saddle perfectly that i could go without any pad at all. anyways. yeah. it's a lot of fashion.
threedaydreams had a good post about saddle fit last year, i think.
i too am aghast at the amt of ppl who fit their saddles so far forward. ugh. you should have plenty of space behind the shoulderblade when the leg is picked up and stretched back. i don't normally go to that effort, but i do try to fit several inches behind the shoulderblade & panels.
This is how mine is on my horse. But for all I know its not right either. One of her standing and one of me riding. With my 'beloved' half pad. Oh, and i think my saddle is still a bit forward.
A well fitting saddle will fit in just THAT spot on your horse's back. If you put it forward on the withers and slide it back it will have a natural resting place. Ideally a couple fingers width behind the shoulder but that also depends on the saddle and the horses' conformation.
If your saddle fits well you shouldn't need a half pad. When I ride in my english saddles, many times I ride with only a halfpad just to keep the bottom of my saddle clean. I used to ride my pony with a huge wither relief half pad, but that was to make the saddle fit. If I had kept her I would've purchased a saddle to fit her without use of a bulky pad, but as she was just temporarily mine we made due. Using shims or bulky pads to make a saddle fit should never be long term.
Think of an oversized shoe. You can add extra socks to your feet to make the shoe fit your foot, but it's never going to be comfortable on your feet for wearing long term. You have to get a new shoe that actually fits your foot in order to be comfortable in the long term.
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I see saddles that are too far forward ALL the time, lol. Poor horses:P
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but i also have another one that looks gross because it's cheap but actually helps my saddle fit. then i have one horse that fits my saddle perfectly that i could go without any pad at all.
anyways. yeah. it's a lot of fashion.
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i too am aghast at the amt of ppl who fit their saddles so far forward. ugh. you should have plenty of space behind the shoulderblade when the leg is picked up and stretched back. i don't normally go to that effort, but i do try to fit several inches behind the shoulderblade & panels.
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Also, IMO, both seriously overgirth. Though it seems like all english riders over tighten.
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If your saddle fits well you shouldn't need a half pad. When I ride in my english saddles, many times I ride with only a halfpad just to keep the bottom of my saddle clean. I used to ride my pony with a huge wither relief half pad, but that was to make the saddle fit. If I had kept her I would've purchased a saddle to fit her without use of a bulky pad, but as she was just temporarily mine we made due. Using shims or bulky pads to make a saddle fit should never be long term.
Think of an oversized shoe. You can add extra socks to your feet to make the shoe fit your foot, but it's never going to be comfortable on your feet for wearing long term. You have to get a new shoe that actually fits your foot in order to be comfortable in the long term.
Reply
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