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Horse Behavior and Training

Saddle pad vs. Blanket only

By:

Killian's Red

Date:

2014-Feb-23 at 11:39AM

I have a coming of 5yo Paint that is leaving for training in a week. Going thru his tack ( cleaning and organizing ) i have been curious what other Western riders use. Honestly, his saddle pad is new/stiff and makes things seem more bulky. It's a Circle Y barrel pad, so it's not overly bulky on ots own. He also has several wool blankets, that I was using more for show and color but have considered JUST using them. It would be like making his saddle more close contact... His saddle does fit nicely either way.

What do YOU do? Is a pad TRULY necessary if the saddle fits? I should mention he doesn't have the best back muscle tone since he's just being started under saddle and a slightly high wither. I do also have a small wither pad that could be incorporated with the wool blanket to protect him.

vicci - UK (North Wales) 2014-Feb-23 at 11:12PM

Saddle fitting is such a tricky thing! I'd be interested to hear others views as I guess we are all different. Personally I feel that whatever is the most comfortable for the horse and is the best fit is the right solution - no matter what 'convention' says.

Amberpony - California, USA 2014-Feb-25 at 07:42AM

If you are taking your horse for training, I would think that would be the person to ask.

Rudi - Pratteln, Switzerland 2014-Feb-25 at 11:25AM

I have no experience with Western saddles. The English type of saddle can be put without blanket. Personally I usually prefer a blanket because it is absorbing the sweat. When I put the first saddle in a young horse I usually leave it away the first couple of times because it sometimes causes an additional discomfort when it gets displaced, especially during bucking.
Rudi

Killian's Red 2014-Mar-27 at 04:47PM

Update - His trainer has been using just the wool blanket, because his saddle does fit him well. She's been riding him twice a day, each time 20 minutes or so. Tonight - 3/27, I ride him for the first time since heading off. I've backed him before as we were both "feeling our way thru it". His trainer tells me, he's MUCH smarter than she anticipated and he's catching on VERY quickly. When I went to observe her on 3/23, she showed me that he is being taught ( and getting it ) to neck rein. He's sensitive to leg pressure, but not spooky sensitive. He comes home on Sunday and then its just hours and hours and hours of time in the saddle. Can't wait!

lnroyce 2014-Mar-29 at 01:39AM

I just purchased two well padded cloths to go under swinging fender saddles as I was told whilst having a young horse fitted that with swinging fenders you need more padding between the horse's back and the saddle. It makes sense but notwithstanding that advice I have used a large, patterned cotton type rug on my older horse with the same saddle for years with no problems. Additionally my young horse is wide and flat and the saddle tends to slip more with the thicker pads so I just have to be a bit careful and am considering going back to the standard cloth for her. Every horse is different I guess.