I don't like care for those stiff, padded blankets either for that very reason--they slip and slide on my horse too. My favorite saddle blanket is the Toklat Coolback--it is soft and fleecy but conforms to the horses back. And it's machine washable. My sister uses a gel pad that is pliable as well but I haven't tried one yet. Also, it would be a good idea to have a saddler measure your horse and saddle to see if the saddle is even a good fit.

 

I'd check if the saddle width suits the horse before you think about spending money on a new pad. Sliding back, and to one side, are common signs the saddle's not wide enough for some reason, and that's pretty common with a youngster because they can sometimes change shape over very short periods of time. Especially in spring and early summer.

 

I agree with @unclearthur .

 

Well my horse is 10 years old so he done growing. He is really barrel shaped but my friend has a saddle that he uses on a Belgian cross and im going to see if it will fit him. Im am a western rider btw. Not sure if that matters tho. And if any of you have recommendations on hackamore me let me know.

 

I also said to check the saddle fit. My saddle fits my horse perfectly according to the saddler so that stiff blanket was the problem.

My horse rides great in a mechanical hackamore but it's not for everyone. He was never finished in bit and his former owner usually rode him with just a halter so the hack works really well.

 

Pads are known to walk when saddle fit is wrong for the animal....makes no difference whether English, Western or what specific style...
Pads walk when saddle not fit.

At 10 years of age and you working with the animal in training...
My mind immediately goes to muscle changing, muscling building and shape of the animal changing = saddle fit is now wrong.
Loss or gain of weight, same with muscle will change a fit of saddle.
The other piece of a clue is, " I’ve noticed that when he sweats there is dry spots at the gullet area but only sometimes not every time."....
Saddle fit is off...

Do you overly tighten the cinch to keep the saddle from moving?
Cinch should only need snugged on a well-fit saddle...
In fact a well-fit saddle, I've seen people get off after a long animated ride and the cinch was hanging 2" below the belly..but the saddle never moved... Why? Because the saddle fit and hugged the body correctly.
Saddle fit is off...
🐴.... jmo...

 

I still don't see the point in getting a larger size saddle just to accomodate a certain type of saddle pad.

Again the best advice is to have your saddle measured to see if it's the right size for your horse--then go from there.

My saddle stays on even if the cinch is loose after a long ride. He has no soreness, no white spots, rides perfectly in saddle with a Coolback pad--why does everyone want to ignore the facts??

 

Im not trying to accommodate a certain pad. My question was, is it okay to ride in just a saddle blanket no pad? I do not ride my horse yet, as i said, im am looking ahead. This saddle is slightly too small in the gullet but I don’t cinch it down tight or ride and he doesn’t seem to be bothered. The only time i’ve had dry spots was when i did cinch it down when i used the thicker pad. I said i could borrow a friends wider gullet saddle and use it with what ever pad it needs. He needs a saddle with a very wide gullet but I can’t get that for him at the moment but i can try others and see what fits him best. If none of them fit i will get him fitted. If the saddle starts to cause issues ill staop using any saddle for now. I have many options of saddle to try but i only own two myself and both have a slightly too narrow gullet area. I do plan on getting him fotted no matter what but after he’s built up muscle and i am riding him. I don’t see the point in spending money on something that im going to have to sell for less or get rid of in just a few weeks. Right now he is doing fine with either saddle i have but before i start riding im am going to get a wider saddle either from a friend or a new/used one. He’s a fat paint so he is very barrel shaped so he most likely needs full quarter horse bars which is what the saddles were sold to me as.
ONCE AGAIN… All im asking is “Can i ride in just a saddle blanket when i start riding if that’s what i need?”

 

Only if the saddle fits. If a saddle fits the way it should then the only reason for even a blanket or thin pad is to keep the saddle clean.

Lose the attitude. You asked a question and not only are you being given answers but you're being given reasons. Use it as a learning experience.

This was your question after a long drawn out explanation

What should i do? Should i use the padded pad when i do start riding or look into another saddle? Of course i do not want him in pain for my pleasure.

Vs

ONCE AGAIN… All im asking is “Can i ride in just a saddle blanket when i start riding if that’s what i need?”

 

To clarify: You use a saddle blanket AND a pad?

You probably don't need both.

 

No i was using the pad but it caused the saddle to slip. I am now using the blanket but i wanted to know if i can keep using it when i start riding? He is in training that is why im not riding. Okay i get that the questions are different im sorry for that. I don’t want to seem rude or arrogant. Im sorry if it came off that way. Im just irritated cause im being told completely different things irl (like “a saddle is a saddle” and “he can deal with it). Im sorry for the attitude, i hate people that say things like that, I shouldn’t have. Thanks for the advice on everything tho. I think im gonna try out this saddle from a friend with the pad and if that doesn’t work out then i’ll see if i can find someone local to come take a look or have the vet look. What i got from this is that if the saddle fits the blanket by itself is fine but is doesn’t fit correctly then i need the thicker pad. I’ve been told (just yesterday) that im very passionate about my animals but i don’t show it in a very kind way. Someone (most likely a family member) will suggest something and i come off rude while telling why it’s wrong. It’s a bad habit but im working on it. I let it happen on here too, sorry, again.

 

So the way I was taught is...
If a saddle fits you only need a thin blanket to keep the saddle bottom clean.
If the saddle not fit then sometimes a pad can change the fit better for the animal...
But when a saddle not fit right, the comfort of the animal is already sketchy cause someplace it binds, someplace it wiggles from loose and someplace it digs or constricts/restricts...and more not good.
The answer is get a saddle that fits.

Now when you get to riding for hours at a time then the reasons for using a pad not a blanket is different and the saddle is adjusted for that particular thickness pad so comfortable fit is maintained.
This is not only true in western saddle but in English as well....good fit is good fit.

No saddle that really fits needs a cinch/girth if you get a leg up...the well fitting saddle fits like it was glued on.
I've seen cinches hanging loose at rides finish and the saddle not moved a inch with a good rider who sits quiet.
Same as English... I dismounted and went to loosen to find my girth was doing nada, nothing but be seen it was so loose.
Saddles that fit... less is more in what is placed underneath.

Does that help?

And as for people and their "kind" comment of passionate but not showing it...
The fact you inquire to learn says a lot about you and wanting to do it right for your animals comfort...sounds like a good thing to me.
Many though are not open to being enlightened or exposure to a different way...their loss and so it is for their animal.
Enjoy your time with your youngster.
🐴...