[Daniellemurphy74]

What is the purpose of a half pad, is it to help with hard to fit horses? I didn't even know they existed until recently. Does a saddle blanket go over them? The picture I attached is the one I was considering.

 

[SketchyHorse]

Yep pretty much You typically use a half pad when you've got a saddle that is almost right, but just a little too wide. They shouldn't be a long term fix or solution. Some half pads, like the Thinline half pad, have been specifically made for shock absorption. They're usually fairly thin to not alter the fit of the saddle.

They go over the regular saddle pad, or can be used by themselves. If you don't have a need for a half pad it doesn't make much sense to buy one. They'll make a well fitting saddle too tight.

 

[ApuetsoT]

They help with some degree of saddle fit. That one you show has a wither cut out to accommodate a large wither.

They go on top of the saddle pad.

 

[horselovinguy]

That is a wither relief pad....

This pad has a specific purpose of relieving pressure on a wither bone and surrounding area that may be injured...
Sores, broken skin from a saddle fitting to close or from some type of injury to that area, the horse needs riding but must heal that location this pad can help offer some solution to the healing issues...
:runninghorse2:...

 

[ApuetsoT]

Half pads are not just for too wide saddle. The can be shimmed to help with asymmetric problems or fill in pockets where muscle is lacking. The one pictured does not have this capacity, but you can buy ones with it.

 

[horselovinguy]

That is a wither relief pad....

This pad has a specific purpose of relieving pressure on a wither bone and surrounding area that may be injured...
Sores, broken skin from a saddle fitting to close or from some type of injury to that area, the horse needs riding but must heal that location this pad can help offer some solution to the healing issues...
:runninghorse2:...

When using a pad like this because of injury the pad goes underneath your saddle pad.
The purpose of the wither relief pad is to give clearance of the injured area from the rubbing, touching of a saddle pad on delicate skin.

 

[unclearthur]

When using a pad like this because of injury the pad goes underneath your saddle pad.
The purpose of the wither relief pad is to give clearance of the injured area from the rubbing, touching of a saddle pad on delicate skin.

From its shape that pad has to be specifically for a racing saddle, I'd have thought. If you look closely at it, nothing else would fit that far forward, and you often come across TBs with extreme wither profiles that are easily rubbed, especially by turnout rugs.

Although half-pads do have their uses, especially the shimmed or padded varieties, I'm afraid most are used because with the sheepskin rolls front and back 'it looks cool'. As a father I'm afraid I speak from experience!

 

[SteadyOn]

Often half pads are put on with a "baby pad" underneath, which is just a minimal, very thin square pad that's big enough to cover the area a normal (not "half") saddle pad would. I agree that half pads seem to be overused right now because they're trendy -- BUT there is a legitimate reason for them other than correcting saddle fit. By having a little more pad thickness where it actually counts and just the baby pad under the flaps, you don't add extra bulk under the rider's leg, so it can help with a closer contact feel. The baby pad basically just keeps the saddle and half pad clean, in this case, and offers some minimal protection from the the flap potentially rubbing the horse.

 

[Hunter the Jumper]

I am trying to fit English tack to my TB I was given a few months ago. I purchased a square pad but was quite surprised at how this it seemed. I don?t have a whole lot of experience. It was suggested to me I get a half pad to use as some extra padding. Is that an appropriate use?

 

[QtrBel]

What SteadyOn said. We have those that fill in, those that aid in saddle fit and the type that is simply to pad where the saddle sits but not add bulk under the leg.

Hunter the Jumper - it all depends on how your saddle fits. I like a thin pad under a saddle but the saddle itself does have padding. Each of my English saddles have a fitted pad underneath. I prefer a half pad, my son likes the ones that extend down under the flaps. Both I put a thin square pad under to keep everything clean. Easier to wash the square and I don't have to remove white fitted pad as often. We are in a warm area so keeping as much of that sweat from getting through to the leather helps. One of the students at the barn rides with just the squares and she is cleaning her saddle after every ride or she has salt marks on it. Another rides with multiple pads as the horse is sway backed. There is a square, a filler and then either a full or half pad depending on the saddle/purpose.

 

[horselovinguy]

I am trying to fit English tack to my TB I was given a few months ago. I purchased a square pad but was quite surprised at how this it seemed. I don?t have a whole lot of experience. It was suggested to me I get a half pad to use as some extra padding. Is that an appropriate use?

I am thinking you meant how thin the square pad material is...a typo.

Like anything else, there is a real intended use for certain "pads" and what instead becomes a fad and how that fad can change the real use of a product.
This is true with many things "horse"... the true use of a product, why it was designed or intended to be used can be changed or dictated by fad.

So, I am thinking you bought something along the lines of what I would call a baby pad which is a single layer thin "pad". Something like this... https://www.statelinetack.com/item/baby-pads-3-pack/SLT901790/
If so, these were designed to be used alone as a underlayment. Either under a expensive pad to keep it clean or actually under a well fitting saddle that technically if the saddle fits correctly no "pad" needs to be used at all.
A saddle pad though can come in many different thicknesses to accommodate the fit of saddle and horse to better achieve better protection of the horses back on a not so good fit.
Pads such as....
https://www.statelinetack.com/item/roma-ecole-star-quilt-pad/SLT900888/
https://www.statelinetack.com/item/all-purpose-wither-relief-fleece-pad/SLT901304/
https://www.statelinetack.com/item/quilted-square-english-saddle-pad/E018115/
https://www.statelinetack.com/item/toklat-super-quilt-general-purpose-pad/E011993/
https://www.statelinetack.com/item/medallion-close-contact-liftback-saddle-pad/E012480/
Each pad is slightly different in construction and materials used and actually has a specific purpose to why it would be chosen.
Fitting and purchasing tack of all kinds is no different than purchasing a pair of shoes for other sports.
You don't run a marathon in ballet shoes, nor play tennis in baseball cleats.
You do ballet in ballet slippers, play tennis in a tennis shoe and baseball in cleats so you have the best support to reduce chances of injury.
Today, many truly don't know there is a difference or why. Items are bought without knowing why it is advantageous to the horse or rider or a detriment...
Today fad has a lot to do with why something is bought or used...keeping up with the others.
That is not always in the horses best interest....
Eh...I am old-school horse-educated. Improved is not always what it seems and then sometimes new & improved is fantastic...the difference is you need to know what it is you want the item to truly accomplish and why.
This is true with everything from the training methods and fads with those following this person or that...
Using this bit made by this company or that, riding helmets, saddle pads of this type or that, the list is endless and misses few items.
Before letting someone separate you from your hard-earned $, make sure you understand what it is you first off need, then search for the product that fills that need specific.

A very thin pad is really only intended to keep your saddle underside or expensive pad cleaner.
Adding a half-pad to that....what kind of half pad is it and what does it do to the fit of that particular saddle for every item you put between horse and saddle reduces feel, sensitivity and communication.
Make sure what it is you want and need to accomplish is what this pad or any pad will do...make this be job specific.

Sorry,I went off ranting not aimed at you hunter. :redface:
It just slipped out at the wrong time..

:runninghorse2:....

 

[Yogiwick]

There are times when "more cushion" is appropriate use (say an older horse with a sensitive back etc) but keep in mind that the pad effects the fit, so not only will the saddle need to fit the horses back but it needs to fit the horses back with the other pads on it. Which is why they are most often used to change the fit. Buying one for the sake of buying one isn't the best.

They should go under but no one does that lol.