Riser pads and sore backs

I just learned how to check if a horse has a sore back. I checked my mare and oh boy was she sore. It was this one tiny little spot right where the edge of my riser pad sits.

This is the kind I have:
http://www.equestriancollections.com...upcode=ER00842

So I think that it's likely that the riser pad is causing the problem. So once she's feeling better I'm going to try riding without the pad and check her back again. If it's still sore I guess the saddle is the next thing to look at. I'm getting her a new one anyway as soon as I get my money saved up. Or maybe I can get my mom to pay for the difference as a Christmas present.

But anyway, if I still happen to need a riser pad with my new saddle should I try a lollipop pad? Or should I see if I can find a saddler to build up the back of my saddle. That might be a little hard because I don't think there are any professional saddlers near me.

What do you guys think?

Another thing I should add is that we just moved to the indoor arena where the footing is deeper and very shock absorbent.

I've had good luck with Skito pads to fix minor saddle fit issues. Your saddle needs to be wide enough to accommodate some extra pad, so the shims don't cause pinching. Skito shims are tapered, so you avoid pressure ridges and what-not. The foam is very cushiony too! They will custom build your pad based off photos of your horse with the saddle on (no pad) and without the saddle. The shims are removable and exchangeable, so you can adjust the pad as your horse gains muscle or if you get a new saddle. I'd highly recommend a Skito Correction pad!

That said, the pad can only do so much. The saddle should fit relatively well first, with shims filling in for lack of muscle or smooshed down flocking. If you change the balance of the saddle too much, you can end up putting extra pressure on other area's of the horse's back, creating more soreness in different areas.

Check the fit of your saddle. If your horse has lost/gained fitness, her back may have changed. Your saddle may also need to be restuffed, which will rise the back of the saddle. Check with any leather repair stores in your area - you'd be surprised what they can do! It's worth investing in a new or repaired saddle so you can continue to ride and train and get the most from your horse.

I had the same problem with my riser pad hurting the back of my boy. I had a saddle fitter come and look and she said I need a saddle with real wool flocking ( mine had foam) that way for $65 any saddle fitter can fill the saddle in with wool where it needs to be so it sits just right on the horses back. The nice thing about a real wool flocked saddle too is that once your horses back changes the flocking can be moved or soem taken out to readjust for the new muscles.
JMO. Hope things get better for your mare soon.

If there's one thing I would get rid of, it would be riser pads. They do more harm than good.
Go read "The Horse's Pain Free Back and Saddle Fit Book" it's stuffed with amazing information.