What type of saddle pad is best?

[minskeep]

I got my new saddle but it is a little wide for my horse right now. Shes only 4 so I believe she will still grow into it. The saddle fits ok but it sits a litle lower than I like. The pomel isnt touching her withers but I can only get about 2 fingers width in between. I have a simple pad right now, its not really thick but not really thin. Nothing special. I am thinking of getting a better pad so the saddle wont sit so low. What is the best type of pad? I plan to barrel race in a couple years and I will probably do a lot of trail riding until then. So I need something that can hold up but wont make her too hot. I have been looking at the Biofit pad and contourflex pad by classic equine. My fiance has a pad similar to these but its just a simple felt pad. I tried it on my horse with the new saddle and it raised the saddle up quite a bit.

What are your thoughts?

[Buckpoco]

I've heard wondeful things about Thinline. We use Skito, Clinton Anderson's pads, fleece and gel...all depending upon what saddle we are using. We love all of these.

[WashingtonBay]

If you are looking for thickness, and to help ease imperfections in fit, a felt pad at least 1" thick is the place to start. It's the most forgiving and dispersing of pressure points.

If that's not enough, then you'll have to go from there, maybe take some pics so we can see.

[BlaiseGlaze]

I really love felt pads. They are cushiony and suck the sweat away from the horse.

[mare]

Felt pads are pretty nice for the above reasons. Sometimes simple really is better.

[minskeep]

Good advice. I am really considering the Biofit felt pad. Its thick and it has extra padding for the area behind the shoulders. Star isn't mutton withered but shes not high withered so I think it should fill the void just enough so there isnt a gap there when the saddle is on.

[Dakota Sunrise]

Although they're not real thick, I love the SMX Air Ride orthosport barrel racing pads. It's the only thing I'll use on my gelding. He has high wither and a very lean topline and it's very hard to find a saddle that fits him. But the orthosport pad I have really helped improve the fit of my saddle and I haven't had any problems since getting it for him.:)

This is it, I have the red one: http://www.profchoice.com/htmldocs/prd/western/prd/arxbs.html
I think you could find it for sale cheaper though. I don't think mine was that much.

[Julie Slater]

Here's some ideas about inexpensive padding for your horse.

I ride all day at a Feedyard, so padding is pretty important to me.
Right now I'm using a felt pad, two memory foam pads and a blanket.

http://slaterhorsetraining.com/training/tack.html