Posted 2015-03-17 8:25 PM Subject: saddle pad rubbing? advice?
Not Afraid to Work
Posts: 4717
Try and keep this short. My gelding has a almost near bald spot at the lower part of his bacK right before his hips. I originally chalked it up to his winter blanket but now I'm thinking it may be from his saddle pad. I've been riding him all winter and he's has the same tack for 5 years. he's recently gotten pretty touchy there.
I'm at a loss on why this would start now. He was 7 when I broke him out, 12 now so his body shouldn't have changed too dramatically. I do a lot of dressage work on him through the winter, no patterns.
Any advice, similar stories would be appreciated. Chiro is scheduled in 2 weeks.
Posted 2015-03-17 8:51 PM Subject: RE: saddle pad rubbing? advice?
Regular
Posts: 85
I have a mare that does this. Only in the winter. I got a big over sized fleese pad to use that hits her past the rub spots. It's a friction burn. Mine only gets the spots with her longer winter hair. I also spray those spots with show sheen before I ride.
Posted 2015-03-17 9:09 PM Subject: RE: saddle pad rubbing? advice?
Sock eating dog owner
Posts: 4557 Location: Where the pavement ends and the West begins Utah
Put a navajo under your pad and move the pad up over the withers more. I find those fake fleece type pads will rub the hair right off a horse so I always use a blanket underneath and don't have a problem. When the blankets get dirty I throw them in the washer. this keeps my horse backs from getting sore and always have a clean blanket against them.
Posted 2015-03-17 9:26 PM Subject: RE: saddle pad rubbing? advice?
Not Afraid to Work
Posts: 4717
cow pie - 2015-03-17 9:09 PM
Put a navajo under your pad and move the pad up over the withers more. I find those fake fleece type pads will rub the hair right off a horse so I always use a blanket underneath and don't have a problem. When the blankets get dirty I throw them in the washer. this keeps my horse backs from getting sore and always have a clean blanket against them.
I've thought about this many times, my only concern is my gelding has a really sloping shoulder and my saddle sits behind it. I can position on the wither but it slides back there anyway.
Posted 2015-03-18 11:49 AM Subject: RE: saddle pad rubbing? advice?
Not Afraid to Work
Posts: 4717
CYA Ranch - 2015-03-18 8:29 AM
What are you using for a pad?
I use three different pads but it honestly seems to be worse with my CSI. I think thats because its the thickest? Not sure just my theory. I think the rubbing started from the blanket - friction burn as another poster stated and now my saddle pad is making it worse.
Posted 2015-03-18 4:26 PM Subject: RE: saddle pad rubbing? advice?
Not Afraid to Work
Posts: 4717
cow pie - 2015-03-18 4:10 PM
You can switch to a cut out at the wither pad and still be able to move it more forward.
I'll try that. Im gonna give him some time without riding since that is making it worse and hopefully I can take his darn clothes off here soon. I have a 5 star I dont ride in very often and I could try that.
Posted 2015-03-19 8:57 AM Subject: RE: saddle pad rubbing? advice?
Not Afraid to Work
Posts: 4717
skye - 2015-03-18 10:36 PM
It may be saddle fit. The saddle may be bridging and rubbing. There backs change as they get older.
The only reason im not sure that is it, is this has happened before. This happened the first year I got him also. but then hasnt happened again in 4 years until now. Same saddle and pad for the past 3-4 years, same saddle since the beginning.
Any recommendations that I could put on this rub? He used to get them on his shoulders also from his blanket and I used a shoulder guard the past 2 winters and hasnt had a rub there since. I did buy him a full body one yesterday to help. I dont know if I should leave it be or is there something that could soothe it. My gelding has super sensitive skin and ive heard MTG can burn the skin so ive avoided that.
Posted 2015-03-19 3:47 PM Subject: RE: saddle pad rubbing? advice?
Elite Veteran
Posts: 929
put laser sheen or word champion pepi on just the part that's being rubbed. My mare gets this in the winter only from her long hair. And then when you are done riding use the MTG.
saddle pad rubbing? advice?
