Saddle Pad Fitting Guide For A High-Withered Horse

At Best Ever Pads, we know equestrians often have a hard time properly fitting a saddle to high-withered horses. Horses with high withers typically have narrow shoulders, which can cause a saddle to pinch the withers and limit the horse’s freedom of movement. Using a saddle pad that is too thick can cause the saddle to move or rub as the horse begins to work through different motions. Whether your horses naturally have high withers, or their withers have become more pronounced as they age, it is important to choose the right saddle pads.

When Should You Use Correctly Fitting Saddle Pads for High-Withered Horses?

It is important to note that a saddle pad is used to help improve the fit of a saddle. However, the wrong pad can cause unwanted pressure along your horse’s spine, which can lead to sore muscles and joint pain.

When You Should Use a Corrective Saddle Pad

Be sure to use a corrective saddle pad when:

• Your saddle isn’t fitting correctly
• Your horse is experiencing a sore back
• Or your horse is acting out due to an ill-fitting saddle

Saddle pads for high-withered horses are designed to provide additional support and cushioning. The pads are typically built to help the saddle sit evenly along the horse’s spine. With the help of the pad, the saddle shouldn’t tilt to one side or sit with the cantle tipping into the air. Finally, the right saddle pad can help your horse to perform at its best by creating balance between you, the saddle and your horse’s back. For high-intensity rides, such as barrel racing, it is especially important that your saddle fits correctly without limiting your horse’s movements.

What Should You Look for in Saddle Pads for High-Withered Horses?

Fitting a saddle to a high-withered horse can be a challenge due to the sharp angle from the point of its withers to its shoulders. This sharp angle can often create an unwanted pocket of air between the saddle and the horse. The right saddle pad can be used to create a cushion between the saddle and the area behind the shoulders. In addition to providing a cushion, the pad will offer extra support, which is especially important when using a Western saddle that has a rigid tree. Finally, saddle pads for high-withered horses will often have additional inserts that create space in the gullet area, without breaking down on the withers.

At Best Ever Pads, we have the perfect pads for high-withered horses, including:

• The Kush Collection 1.25” Thickness Pad
• The BHS Series with a 3/8” Closed Cell Foam Insert
• The Cadillac Series with a 3/8” Closed-Cell Foam Insert
• The Fleesar Series with a Fleece Lined Bottom

Shop for your new pad today. If you still aren’t sure, use our Saddle Fitting Guide.