What does a wither Relief Pad do?

Wither pads help lift the saddle off the horse’s wither to prevent injury or bruising. Wither relief saddle pads also help balance the saddle.

What is the purpose of a cut back saddle pad?

Soft and supple, the saddle pad offers extra support to the saddle and also keeps your horse’s back relaxed and comfortable. Cut-back design of the saddle enhances the utility as it helps to reduce the wither pressure for a smooth, comfortable experience for both, the rider and the horse.

How do you pad a high withered horse?

The best western saddle pad for high-withered horses is typically a cut-back western cushion. This foam has openings, either an entire slit, or a hole, designed to provide wither point relief. This allows the withers additional movement and to come through without putting in extra padding.

What size gullet do I need for a Quarter Horse?

Semi-Quarter horse bars usually have a 6 1/4″ gullet, and Quarter Horse Bars usually have a 6 1/2″ to 6 3/4″ gullet. Designed to fit the average horse, one of these two widths will fit approximately 80% of horses comfortably. Full-Quarter horse bars usually have a 7″ gullet.

What is a cutback English saddle?

The cutback saddle is an English saddle specifically designed for the saddle seat rider and with gaited horses. The cutback saddle’s benefit is the freedom of movement it provides to higher withered gaited horses. The cutback saddle received its name from the cut back at the pommel.

Do Saddlebreds have high withers?

High withers are more prominent in thoroughbreds, saddlebreds, and warmbloods, but can show up in other breeds as well. Abnormally high withers can actually improve your horse’s performance because of its increased ability to lengthen its stride.

What does a horse with high withers look like?

High Withers The bump where its shoulder blades meet between the neck and the back is taller than average, causing a sharp angle from the tip of its withers to its shoulders. A high-withered horse also has a slightly narrower back compared to a horse with normal withers.

Can you use a western saddle pad with an English saddle?

No. You’d have better luck putting a western pad under an English saddle. Due to the design differences between the two saddles, the English pad would be too small. Most English pads would not fit properly under a Western saddle, nor would they provide the right amount of padding.

What makes a perfect saddle pad for a horse?

The PERFECT Saddle Pad™ features: The horse’s spine is completely free, with the fully open and vented spine channel. Completely open wither freedom cutaway takes pressure off the spine, where other pads create pressure. Pockets under the pad allow for fitting shims to dial in a multitude of saddle fit issues.

What kind of saddle pads does Dover saddlery use?

Dover Saddlery’s selection of saddle pads includes styles, colors and designs from all the leading brands, such as Mattes, ThinLine®, Cashel®, Rider’s International, Equine Couture™, EcoGold®, Ogilvy, Wilkers and more. Finding your ideal saddle pads for schooling and showing is easy—pick out your favorites today!

Why do you need a half pad on a horse?

Half pads, which are shaped to fit only under the panels of the saddle but not under the rider’s legs, can provide impact protection, moisture wicking or improve saddle fit. A half pad is most often combined with a regular saddle pad or with a super-thin baby pad that doesn’t offer cushioning, but instead helps keep the half pad clean.

What kind of fleece do you use for saddle pads?

Shaped saddle pads, typically made of white, easy-care fleece, are cut to outline the shape of a particular type of saddle, such as close contact for jumping, all-purpose for both jumping and flatwork, and for dressage.