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Post by spirithawk06 on Jul 15, 2016 18:25:48 GMT
I currently have a wool saddle blanket for Star. It's too thin and way too big on him. I also have some issues with saddle fit with it. Asked someone to check out the saddle fit and was advised to get a thicker pad, something with more padding around the withers because of the way he's built. He's got a higher wither than my quarter horses but nothing insanely high. What are your opinions on a cut-back saddle pad? There's a cut back built up pad at a local ag store or I can order online. The guy recommended that I get a classic equine biofit, and Greg's fussing at me for being a penny pincher, but I can't bring myself to pay that much, especially not if I can find something that will work just as good for him for cheaper. We don't ride all the time and the longest I've ever ridden him was 5 hours in a parade with my mom's felt saddle pad that's 1 inch thick, much thicker than the blanket I have. There were no dry spots and no signs of soreness by the end of the ride. He moved better too than the previous parade with the blanket and a saddle with thinner fleece. I'm preferably looking for something with blue in it with a nice pattern to it. There's just so much to look at. This was with Mom's saddle pad. Sorry for the blurry picture. A friend of mine snapped it on the parade route. Thanks in advance!
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Post by carshon on Jul 15, 2016 19:11:58 GMT
When Steve was alive I rode him in a Professionals Choice Bio Fit. It has extra padding behind the shoulders and was cut out over the withers. He was not a high withered horse but had HUGE mounded/muscular shoulders (Halter Bred Horse) that caused the saddle to slid off of his shoulders and rest behind the wither. The saddle worked out well for us and allowed us to ride up and down steep hills without the saddle sliding forward into his shoulder blades
Unfortunately with a lot of these specialty pads they don't come in many colors. I also purchased shims that I used with a regular wool pad - but they were a lot of extra work
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Post by horselover4life on Jul 15, 2016 19:16:10 GMT
I have a built-up cut-back pad I use on our high withered Appendix horse. Makes all the difference in the world for his comfort and my peace of mind knowing there is now clearance.
So, here is my pad and this is where I got it from. I also see no reason to spend hundreds on a pad if you can avoid it. www.chicksaddlery.com/page/CDS/PROD/1030/PCB655
Some of my friends have those expensive pads...costing several hundred. I don't see the need, truly don't.
Happy shopping.
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Post by spirithawk06 on Jul 15, 2016 19:47:15 GMT
So Carshon, do you think Star would need one with the cut out?
Horselover4life, I feel the same. I'm finding several pads with similar specifications to the super fancy ones for much cheaper. If I were riding competitively, I could see the need for it, but I prefer to ride bareback unless we're going out on trails. Poking around in the pasture, I usually just use a bridle and go bareback. I do want him to be comfortable, but I just don't see the need to spend several hundred dollars on a pad that might get used a couple of times a month.
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Post by spirithawk06 on Jul 15, 2016 19:48:02 GMT
Double posting but horselover4life, I was considering that type of pad and I like those colors (the price isn't bad either!) Thanks! I just don't know which one I like more!
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Post by carshon on Jul 15, 2016 20:37:14 GMT
Spirit- I don't think he is in need of the cut out - he does not really seem to have a shark fin wither. Unless your blanket works down and is tight across the wither I see no need for a cut out. He is a good looking horse and I am glad you are trying to make him more comfy. Just a side note here - I have purchased many a pad on ebay- and many from a vendor called Mr Saddle and the last wool pad I got from them is wonderful! And I think I paid less than $70 and it has held up under some pretty sweaty trail rides.
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Post by spirithawk06 on Jul 15, 2016 20:46:40 GMT
He's an awesome horse. Not going for the cut out really opens up choices. I found one site, Murdoch's that has some really cheap prices. A pad I keep seeing for 50-70 elsewhere is 28 with shipping. Mom's felt pad didn't leave dry spots like my blanket did after a 5 hour parade ride with only about a 10 minute break out of the saddle. He wasn't sore afterwards either. He does have a higher wither than Roselyn's roly poly horse and my other quarter horse, so to me, he's high withered, but I can see where he isn't high withered compared to other horses. www.murdochs.com/shop/mustang-sierra-herculon-saddle-pad/
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Post by horselover4life on Jul 15, 2016 22:16:45 GMT
Nice prices but beware of what the handling/administration and shipping charges could be.... Not all do that but some hide fees till you nearly hit the "SEND" button...then it isn't a savings.
I wonder if you looked for a contour cut pad if it would give you more room at the wither you are concerned about without doing a cut-back built-up pad probably not needed...
I have regular pads from that place I linked that are just pads...cost now between $19.99 and $24.99 plus shipping, not expensive. Heavy duty wear leathers, thick cushioning and good fleece underside. One of those pads is what my son shows in it is that nicely made.
Hey...check out Stateline Tack. www.statelinetack.com/item/mustang-economy-herculon-saddle-pad/E016037/ Good price and free shipping...let me see if I can get my coupon to transfer to you...oops..you need to spend $99 for free shipping! So this pad, www.statelinetack.com/item/mustang-economy-herculon-saddle-pad/E016037/ is $19.99 available in 2 colors. It ships at a weight of 4 pounds and possibly sales tax...
Have you looked at Amazon? So many places offer free shipping and no sales tax...
Sorry, I love to shop and spend others money!!
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Post by spirithawk06 on Jul 15, 2016 22:20:41 GMT
My problem right now is too many choices and the ones I love the pattern on are 34x36. My blanket is a 36 and looks ridiculous on Star. I was just looking at some contour pads. I don't mind the help at all! I'm open to options!
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Post by spirithawk06 on Jul 15, 2016 22:32:49 GMT
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Post by horselover4life on Jul 15, 2016 23:37:37 GMT
Second pad is pretty but I do not like the edge being so hard looking....looks like vinyl. I would be concerned of it interfering, rubbing her shoulder and looks deep enough it might interfere with your cinching.
The other pad you showed is really pretty... And really large. 36" x 34" is more than average sized. I have a 16" square double skirted saddle and that would stick out everyplace to much.
And yes, it is very hard to choose a pad with the beautiful designs. I try to do practical and pretty. Something that can hide some dirt. shhh....
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Post by spirithawk06 on Jul 17, 2016 0:11:57 GMT
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Post by horselady on Jul 17, 2016 0:23:43 GMT
that looks like a good choice as it has a higher wither contour.. and the thickness is great.. i like the blue one
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Post by spirithawk06 on Jul 17, 2016 0:30:10 GMT
There are two with blue that I'm considering. I've seen real-life pictures of the lobo rustic and it looks horrible, but I like the dogerville pottery or the lasso/sierra. The others either aren't available or I don't care for them. I'm leaning more towards the lasso one.
What do y'all think?
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Post by horselover4life on Jul 17, 2016 3:54:07 GMT
I have the Lasso Sierra and it is very pretty. imo... Nice deep, rich colors that work well with my paint horse, our grey horse and also worked well on our chestnut/sorrel horse. On each a different color became prominent. When my son showed he could wear most any color and be complimentary his outfit to the horses tack too.
I also have a few other pads.... OK, so I'm a hoarder and collector of all things horse!
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Post by spirithawk06 on Jul 17, 2016 14:15:07 GMT
I ordered the lasso sierra. I'm glad to hear it looks good in person and on a sorrel! Blue really pops on Star but the other colors in the lasso sierra look good on him too.
I rounded up the total to 30 and let the extra go to rescue. It wasn't much, but it made me feel less guilty about spending money on myself.
I'm going bathe him today and try to get a ride in. Mom let me keep her saddle pad here until I could get another one since I also ride her horse to keep her tuned up.
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Post by spirithawk06 on Jul 18, 2016 2:19:43 GMT
Star was an absolute snot to catch I today but we had a pretty good ride for not having ridden in a while. My knee is saying screw you. Greg had to come with a chair when it was time to dismount and I had to pull my foot out of the stirrup once I had my right foot stable on the chair because I couldn't unbend my knee.
I'm glad I bought the contoured pad. There was a dry spot right behind this withers where the pad I used left a pocket. He's not moving like he's sore, but we only rode for about 20 minutes or so. My new pad should be in within 2-3 days.
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nhg
Junior Member
Posts: 2,429
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Post by nhg on Jul 18, 2016 3:44:36 GMT
I'm glad you didn't go with the cut out. I had a bad experience with one once and will never use one again. I love the contoured ones. If that's what you ordered bet you'll be glad you did.
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Post by spirithawk06 on Jul 18, 2016 6:56:33 GMT
If you don't mind my asking NHG, what happened? I did order the contour. After seeing the dry spot behind his withers today, I definitely am glad I did. My heavier saddle pushes the pocket out but I rode with my lighter one today and it left dry spots.
Edit: ordered contour not cut out. I don't know where my brain was yesterday.
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Post by horselover4life on Jul 18, 2016 11:14:57 GMT
Spirit.... I can tell you I have seen bad rubs happen if you are not very careful with where the cut-out is positioned. It must not be left "flat" but still slightly tented and watch carefully it not slide back and catch the wither bone at the base when you cinch up. I am not perfect by any means but with a little extra care, which you do anyway, you should have "0" problems with the cut-back.
I use mine on my Duke, who is still under-muscled in that area although we have finally filled him out as much as he seems to gain.. I took him for a 2 1/2 hour trail ride last time we rode and he came back with no problems, not a hair rubbed wrong and full sweat pattern as I was really hoping for. On my sons saddle, if I use that pad on our paint horse his saddle fits better. A little to wide a gullet makes his saddle slightly tilt, that pad and it is solid perfect in fit.
I don't know what nhg had happen...will be interesting to read her post when she answers. I can only learn from someone else bad experience so I not repeat it or get in trouble myself.
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