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  Extreme Veteran
Posts: 461
 
Location: Illinois | I just got this mare on Friday and I rode her for the first time last night. We did a pretty good workout and she is really out of shape so she was sweating pretty good. My saddle seemed to fit her really well, no gap in the back and not rubbing on her withers. When I got done riding and unsaddled I saw these huge dry spots. I have seen conflicting info about dry spots. Some say that big ones aren't bad and others say there should be no dry spots.. just looking for a little more clarification. Do you think these are ok?
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Miracle in the Making
Posts: 4013
| i was raised dry spots are a sign of a poor fitting saddle..
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 Famous for Not Complaining
Posts: 8848
  
Location: Broxton, Ga | What type of pad did you use........... |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 461
Location: Illinois | I use a 3/4 inch CE 100% wool felt pad |
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 Playing the Waiting Game
Posts: 2304
| ShortyHorse11 - 2014-10-22 8:28 AM I use a 3/4 inch CE 100% wool felt pad
sounds like a pretty thin pad... may want to put a little more padding. |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 461
Location: Illinois | Really? I was thinking that was pretty thick, thought that was the standard thickness for most pads.. is there one you recommend? And if the saddle is to narrow wouldn't a thicker pad just worsen the problem? |
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 Jr. Detective
Location: Beggs, OK | Don't go saddle shopping until she gets fit. A 3/4" pad is not too thin, try a different pad and keep working her. Her back will change once she loses some fat and muscles up. The big dry spots are not as much of an issue as small pressure point spots. |
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 Cinnamon Honey One
Posts: 6549
Location: between here and there | Feel underneath the saddle without a pad and not cinched up. Is it really tight where the dry spots are?? Can you move your hand under that area without pushing the saddle back or not able to get your hand thru there at all?? That's the way I would check it first before making any decisions. A 3/4" pad is the most I would use on any saddle unless the saddle is really a bad fit and you don't have another option. |
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Regular
Posts: 73
| When it comes to fitting saddles and pads I have been taught that there are many things to consider. For starters less is sometimes more. No one wants to wear a thick sock with a shoe that is tight. Secondly, if there has been past damage to that area where white spots have started that is because there is damage to the hair follicle so assume that the sweat gland has also had some damage that would result in lil to no sweat in that same area. Next you must always remember that thru breeding we have created confirmation that will not fit every saddle so not always will U have picture perfect sweat patterns. Ultimately U don't want irregular sweat patterns but if u must have them then u certainly don't want hair to be roughed up at all and U don't want it to appear to be swollen. Ultimately u want a square fitting saddle one that has no rocking no sliding or at least as lil as possible. And the biggest factor is U should always have a happy horse if there unhappy and ur saddle is a possible issue it's probably more an issue than U think. I personally think the sweat marks are typical for most horses and saddles. If it's a new horse I would take it a day at a time don't jump to conclusions because U could have somethingn different happen over the next few weeks wih ur saddle and her sweat pattern, her attitude, the way she works, etc. good luck ! |
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 Extreme Veteran
Posts: 559
| Would love to know too! This has been stressing me out .. Lol I have about the same dry spots you do .. I use a 7/8 inch 5 star pad. |
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Made in the USA
Posts: 1234
Location: Cecil, Pa | IF the saddle is not pitching and creating pressure try to add padding to that area such as building up that area ride in it see if the dry spots are gone. Pads can only do so much Saddle fitting is key but you can add to the pad to make it fit properly :) |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 461
Location: Illinois | Thanks for all the help guys especially socalbarrelracer. That is all great info and I think it's a good idea to keep riding her and see what happens. |
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I just read the headlines
Posts: 4483
| I don't think that sweat patter is typical at all. In the 40 years I have been riding I have never had that sweat pattern show up until I got my current horse and sure enough it was an ill fitting saddle. I worked with Wimpyb on here and purchased a saddle that fits him well. |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 461
Location: Illinois | wimpyb - 2014-10-22 7:43 PM
Feel underneath the saddle without a pad and not cinched up. Is it really tight where the dry spots are?? Can you move your hand under that area without pushing the saddle back or not able to get your hand thru there at all?? That's the way I would check it first before making any decisions. A 3/4" pad is the most I would use on any saddle unless the saddle is really a bad fit and you don't have another option.
I will have to do that, I haven't felt for that yet. I rode her again last night and the same dry spots showed up and we worked hard so it wasn't just lack of sweat. The hair isnt ruffled or anything and she doesn't seem to be acting like it is hurting her. I will run down tonight and just throw the saddle on her and see about getting my hand under there. Thanks! |
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Playing the Waiting Game
Posts: 2304
| I agree with as she loses weight the saddle will fit differently too... I wouldn't be in a big rush to buy a new saddle because of this. |
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Location: not settling | not trying to promote anything- but this videos might explain a few things for you! I know he is explaining with a rope saddle but still extremely interesting.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I8WIzECtXw0
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2T_n1USNWJ0
Edited by jayb 2014-10-23 4:39 PM
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 1162
Location: White Mountains of AZ | I have heard of the saddle shims. I personally have never used them, but I have heard of barrel racers using them and their horses perform just fine. |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 461
Location: Illinois | The only people I have ever heard of using shims are people who ride in Crown Cs. Personally it doesn't make sense to me to buy a to big saddle just to put shims under it.. why not just buy one that is the right size? JMO
Edited by ShortyHorse11 2014-10-24 8:26 AM
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