Western Pad Help

[brigidsdaughter]

We have an adorable Halflinger mare at the therapy barn that we like to sometimes use a western saddle on.  The problem is that she is pretty short backed, and many western pads are too long

Comments

[hidefrommyself]

second this!!

[major_ren]

My trainer uses the cut barrel pads for his kid's saddles and the always seemed shorter than the square ones the rest of us use, but still big enough for the saddle. http://www.statelinetack.com/item/triple-e-neon-barrel-pad/SLT721603/ Something like this.

[chiere]

Thirded!

Haffies are pretty wide, and the bars of a Western saddle spread the weight better than an English saddle, so bulk in a Western pad isn't really needed if you have a good saddle fit.

Take a piece of white cloth big enough to cover her back, (don't bathe her first,) and put the saddle on her. Then ride her until she gets a little sweaty underneath. See if the dirt and sweat is uniform and matches the bars, or if there are dry places. If it's all wet and dirty, all you need is a Navajo blanket, if that. If it's got small dry or clean places, just get a thicker pad, no need to be fancy. If there's lots of dry, you need another saddle.

[skye_ds]

I agree with and use all of the above - barrel pads, navajo blankets, and I only have one other suggestion - Arabian pads (made for the short back round skirted Arabian western saddles).

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