Pad and Girth worth it?

Question

I am really looking into buying this girth and pad.
http://www.horse.com/products/gift-0__sku-WIJ88.html
http://www.horse.com/products/gift-0__sku-WGJ88.html

Because my horses saddle slips all the time. I cant go on trail rides, ride him hard or anything without it trying to slip over to one side. I tried this nice wool pad on him, I put a blanket over the black pad and yet when he got sweaty... STILL the saddle would slip. Though it makes sense... Wool likes to move around when your horse sweats. So i looked into these, they look very nice and i think im going to order them. Although do you think they will slip alot still? and if so what pad do you suggest getting. I have a show coming up and I cant use the wool. Last time i did western pleasure in the middle of the lope, it went completely to one side. My boy went to a trot and just followed the pony in front. But i need something before this show in october, and time to practice it.

Please informative answers.

The pad is around 40 $$ and the girth is around 20 $$

The pad is around 40 $$ and the girth is around 20 $$

Answer 1

i own my own saddle and tack store in norco, ca. my first question to you would be what kind of horse do you have and what kind of saddle do you use? is it a full or semi-quarter tree? if you are not sure measure the gullet width in the front of the saddle below the pomel, generally its the distance between the front conchos. personally it sounds to me like the saddle you are using is to narrow for your horse. the first clue is the slidding! it doesnt matter what kind of pad you get if the saddle is to tight it cant rest down around the withers & shoulders like its supposed to it kind of just perches up to high and thats why it slides. look for your sweat pattern after you ride if you have an even sweat pattern with no dry spots especially around the withers and shoulders your ok, but if you have dry spots then too much pressure is being applied to that spot and that is where the pinching and sliding will come in. and if your saddle is already slidding double padding will usually make it worse. your horseses sweating should not make the saddle slide no matter what kind of pad or cinch you are using as i said before a saddle that slips is usually the sign that the saddle is too narrow for your horse, especially if your horse is a well built, or stocky horse. if you have any questions feel free to contact me via e-mail or call all tacked up @ [phone] ask for andrea

Answer 2

I've heard good things about these... and I do have the cinch in green. I use the cinch with a neoprene pad on my barrel racers to help keep my saddle in place around the tight turns, and so far so good!

I have heard alot of people against neoprene pads because they trap heat and can cause sores, but I use neoprene saddle pads on all my horses and have never had a single problem.

Just always be sure your cinch is tight to prevent slipping. You should walk your horse around some and then retighten your cinch. Also you might consider adding a breast collar to your saddle. This will help hold the saddle in place. Though I belive breastcollars are frowned upon in western pleasure. So I'd just make sure to double check your cinch and use the neoprene pad and cinch to add extra security!

Good Luck at your show!

Answer 3

I always pad both saddle and girth. Anything to help minimize sores and galls.

Make sure your saddle FITS your horse. A poorly fitted saddle will slip - or cause galls - neither one is acceptable.

And, remember, a lot of horses will "blow" as in take in a big breath of air - just before you cinch the saddle down. It's a good idea to ride your mount a little bit first, dismount and adjust the girth.

Finally, if your saddle continues to slip, consider a breast collar and/or britchen to help keep it in place while trailing. I used to ride a nice quarter-mule who had a perfectly flat back. She wore breast collar and britchen as a rule just to keep her saddle in place. Good mule though - I miss her. She died at +/-50

Answer 4

Have you considered using a flank girth on your saddle, and a breast collar ? Both of these measures will help prevent the slippage you are describing in your question. Neoprene is rather slippery when it gets sweaty, but it may be necessary for you to use it if your horse is prone to galls or sores. I use a neoprene, stretch elastic girth on my mare ( I do dressage on her, and she is like most QH's in that she has no withers to speak of) and that works well. Do you remember to tighten your girth just before you enter the ring? That will also help prevent slippage. Since I don't have a photo of your horse, it's hard to tell what else to suggest that might help. Good luck.

Answer 5

i say go for it. i use neoprene saddle pads and cinch. another saddle pad worth trying is the wonpad. the only downfall is that it doesn't allow horse's back to "breathe". i have also seen people cut out a square of that stuff that you put under rugs to keep them from moving around. just put that under normal saddle pad.they also give great support as they come in 1/2" and 1" size thickness. if still slips a little, add a breastcollar and a rear cinch

pic-http://www.pards.com/store/graphics/00000001/03-WONPAD-L.jpg
http://www.wonpad.com/

Answer 6

My horse is alergic to neoprene so I wouldn't buy them. But if your saddle slips that might be a sign that it doesn't fit well have a trainer or saddle rep examine him to see if it fits right. Borrow a different saddle and see if the pad still slips before you buy a replacement

Answer 7

If I were you, I'd buy the girth, and instead of the pad, get a breastplate. They work wonders. I have my morgan (no withers at all!) in a neoprene girth and a breastplate. Because of the cost, I'd skip the pad.

Answer 8

!!!! all saddles are supposed to have a girth and numner! ( sadle pad) other wise if you sit on you horse you would just fall off!!!.
anywho even tho the question is strange try a breastplate.Also make sure your saddle fits. When buying a breast plate make sure it is not to small as this could restric your horse's movement