Western Saddles and English Pads

[PaintedHearts]

A friend of mine got me a nice saddle pad for Christmas. It's the square english type with pockets for trail riding. The underside is lined with fleece. She got a few of us the same pad so when we do events together we all match. They all have english saddles but I have a western endurance saddle. The english saddles have lots of padding on the underside but mine is like a typical western saddle with just a wool lining. Would my saddle and this pad be enough? The pad I use now is a nice thick pad, barrel pad. Should I use an extra pad like a half pad or something? And if I should, can you tell me what is a good one that's not to pricey? And would it go under this pad or on top of it?

This is the pad I got for Christmas.
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff105/dtjoseph95/38651_L_315_vvs.jpg

[luvs2ride1979]

Does it fit under your saddle? Most english pads are pretty short. You want at least 1" of extra pad sticking out front and back.

If it does fit, then I'd probably use another pad or blanket underneath it, like a 30x60 western blanket in all hunter green or something close, or a 1/2" wool felt liner pad. That synthetic fleece under there isn't much cushion at all.

[WashingtonBay]

I'm guessing it's not the right shape or size... have you actually put it on?

And no... not near enough pad for a western. You're right, English, the pad is in the saddle... Western, you need to provide pad.

[cloedoll]

Agreed with luvs2 & WBay. Find out if it fits your saddle first and go from there. xD

[Palogal]

Use a blanket under it, like everyone else said. It's a nice pad though.

[PaintedHearts]

I have not used the pad yet. I think it will work because my saddle has a rounded skirt and it's not real big. Down the spine of the pad is 24 inches. Not sure what my saddle is. :huh: I'll go measure it later.

Here's my saddle
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff105/dtjoseph95/100_1601.jpg

I was thinking something like this pad. Would that be good? Putting it under the green one because it looks a little long and might get in the way of the pockets.
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff105/dtjoseph95/36644_L_001_vvs.jpg

[WashingtonBay]

Try it for overall length with your saddle, and if it looks like it will work, then that pad would be good, if there's a felt core in it and the saddle will still fit OK over all that and not pinch. They make thinner felt only pads that would provide some good cushion and perhaps lay flatter under there if you're not sure.

[AUEquine]

I personally wouldn't use that under a western saddle. But if you're dead set on looking like your friends, you could use your normal pad and then that one on top of it.

[PaintedHearts]

AUEquine, I thought about putting my normal pad under it.

[EnglishGuy]

I wouldn't think an english pad would even fit properly under a western pad. It definetly would not be enough padding alone if it did though. I think you'd be best off using a proper western pad.

[vicklynn]

Nice looking pad, and yes, another pad under it would be the best.

[luvs2ride1979]

The half pad won't work for your western saddle. The contour is wrong and the front fleece pommel roll will either cause a lump/pressure spot under the front of the saddle, or it will stick out in the front oddly.

I would use your normal pad under it, or a thinner one. Like I said, a doubled 30x60 blanket or a felt liner pad.