[RoanUnderSaddle]

Hey all, I have a question in regards to saddle pad fitting. My mare is ... shaped like a flipping pear, ****. She is relatively small in her shoulders, but has a wide sprung ribcage and a broad back. Needless to say, her withers are not very big. There is nothing to tell a pad, "Hold up partner.. Stay where you are." 😂 So, I have an issue with every pad I've owned wanting to slip forward. Her saddle stays put, though. It's nothing for a pad to slip a few inches.

Her current pad is a 3/4 wool SPH, which literally works beautifully on every other horse I've put it on. She even seems to prefer it and has even sweat marks every time. I love it so much...but how can I get it to stay put? I'm not convinced that going thinner will change much, due to her shape, but my sister has been thinking of buying a 1/2in for one of her horses.. Figured I might borrow it.

My question is... With her shape, will this always be a problem? Will I just have to suck it up and adjust it in between Gymkana events and such?

Thank you.

 

[horselovinguy]

Someplace, somewhere I remember reading that a sliding saddle pad is caused from a poor saddle fit...
Now, I think that though was referring to a saddle pad going backward over the butt not forward and up the neck..
I still think it has to do with saddle fit though.
If the saddle truly fit, the pressure would be even and properly distributed and no movement of the pad would occur...

Hang in there for the saddle gurus help....
They will be around...hopefully now I commented it will raise this in the "radar" and get some attention for you.. :wink:
:runninghorse2:.....
jmo...

 

[SilverMaple]

A saddle and/or pad slipping forward is often a sign that the saddle is too wide.

 

[demidog]

Going along with everyone else the saddle may have uneven pressure. That being said I have had similar problems with saddles custom fit to the horse. Try a thicker saddle pad or one with keepers. These are the only ones I have luck with.

 

[charrorider]

Years ago, I had a mare who was shaped exactly like yours. Her problem was the saddle slipping forward, to the point where if we were riding downhill, I would end up sitting at the base of her neck. That was about the time Australian saddles were beginning to be imported. I bought one and used it with a leather crupper. It didn't matter how much I oiled the crupper, or how much petroleum jelly I applied under her tail, she would end up with a sore under her tail, the saddle would slide forward so much. She was a trooper and never complained. But ended up giving up and retiring her. I hope you have better luck.