Pads have their place - but, in my view, if the basic lines of the saddle
doesn't fit there is no way any pad can relieve the pressure points. Back
20 years ago, the ski boot indurstry made this realization. In the mid
70's it was one shell fits all and they used "flow pads" to accommodate for
different shaped foots. It didn't work. If there was a pressure point
then the flow would leave and there would still be a pressure point. If
you put on extra socks, the pain was a dull throb in a larger area instead
of a sharp pain in a small area but the pain was still there.
The same is true with saddles - if there is a pressure point from a ill
fitting saddle, then a pad won't solve the problem.
Misty's saddle tree fits well. I do use a foam pad (equalizler) to provide
a little more cushion, but not to make an ill fitting saddle fit.
Truman
----------------- Origional Post ---------------------
>Yes, your horse's back changes both seasonally, and with fittness and age.
> That's why pads. In reality, if all saddles were perfectly fit all the time
>and horses never sweat, you wouldn't need a pad. But horses do sweat
>(ruining leather, etc.) and their backs do change and hardly any saddle is
>absolutely perfect for any horse. I believe less is better, but the longer I
>ride, the more important it is. If you are a backpacker, it's okay to get a
>backpack from K-Mart for the short hauls, but if your goal is to hike the
>appalachian trail, you'd better start getting serious about fit and comfort.
> Unfortunately, horses can't talk and tell us what pads and saddles feel
>good, but we can learn to read them through their reactions, both
>physiological and mental. The horseperson who is serious about fit and pads
>will keep a close eye on what is happening and base changes in equipment on
>the reactions the horse shows. There are so many "therapudic" pads on the
>market. I have tried few (my saddles fit quite well) so my theory is to keep
>it simple. I am sure some of these therpudic pads are very good for solving
>some problems, but don't let them be a crutch or the absolute solution. Good
>common horse sense is the best answer.
>
>Teddy Lancaster/Running Bear Farm
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The race is not always to the swift, but to those that keep running.
Truman and Mystic "The Horse from HELL" Storm
prevatt@lds.loral.com - Sarasota, Florida
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