How To: Cadillac Wool Fleece Saddle Pad Fitting

By Sonja Eschenburg

With customers from all over the country, many who order pads online as opposed to buying them in person, it is the job of Best Ever employees to help these horse owners design and order a saddle pad that correctly fits their horse’s back. Obviously every horse is a little different and requires a different fit, but with their guidance and 30 years of experience as horsemen, Best Ever employees are able to tell their customers what works best for them and the company.

Every horse is built different, but no matter their structure, it is important to always make sure your saddle and pad fit their backs correctly. Ryan White, one of the owners of Best Ever Saddle Pads, is here today to give a few need-to-know pointers when it comes to finding the right pad.

Today Ryan is saddling up Candyman. Candyman is no stranger to the camera seeing as he has been to multiple Wrangler National Finals Rodeos (WNFR) and also won heel horse of the year for the American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA). This horse has definitely been there and done that, having seen his fair share of arenas and running countless steers.

As a now 25 year old horse, Candyman’s body has finally started to catch up with his age. Although he hasn’t been saddled in years, his back is a perfect demonstration of how to properly saddle a horse with extremely high withers and a more narrow, bony back.

The saddle pad that Best Ever Pads designed for this kind of back is the Cadillac pad. It can be ordered in varying thicknesses, however today Ryan is using a ¾ inch pad with notable extra build up in the front. It is designed basically exactly the same as the BHS pad where it really provides support for the bars of the saddle, but its extra layers in the front really support the withers and upper shoulder area. This basically acts as a filler. Overall the extra build up gives more clearance in the gullet area, helps get everything leveled out, and alleviates any potential pressure sports.

After throwing on a correctly fitting saddle tighten the cinch just enough to see that this pad also doesn’t push down on the withers of the horse, allows plenty of space in between the gullet to run your hand, or at least three fingers, through, and is big enough to still have extra inches of room both in front of and behind the saddle.

To shop the Cadillac collection, click here.