With the number of saddle pads on the market, it can be daunting to know which one you need for your horse. We will discuss the importance of selecting a correct saddle pad, possible damage that can be done to the horse, and what a saddle pad should NOT do, along with how to correctly use shims to prevent additional damage to the horse. Many fitters to this day shim the saddle backward, incorrectly shimming the wrong areas and exacerbating saddle fit issues, and increasing the risk of muscle atrophy.
While shimming can be an incredible tool, it must be used with caution, thorough understanding, and acceptance that it is a temporary fix. No saddle fit solution should ever be permanent, and shims, even less so.
