Western Saddle Pad For High Withers? *PIC*?
I was given this skinny 7yr old QH (maybe cross?) mare, I dont think she has a swayback but she definitely has high withers. What kind of saddle pad would be best for her? Contoured? Built-up? Swayback? Then should it be Felt? Neoprene? Fleece? Include details like direct link to where I can buy it online please!
Supposedly she has always just been thin but I hate seeing ribs on a horse, she’s on senior feed cause she was in with a bunch of elderly horses… Do you think with changing her feed she could gain healthy muscle weight or do you think being thin is just from her genes?
Thanks!
Her Pic: http://www.flickr.com/photos/babywells/3444397167/
Or do you think she doesn’t have high withers and just needs to work on her top-line muscle?
First, she is a pretty little mare! Here are some things you can do:
As for the saddle pad- get a pad that has a wither-relief cut out (it looks like a normal felt pad but with a slot cut out where the withers are. ) this will lift the saddle, but not put any pressure on the withers. Also, make sure your saddle has a semi-QH bar, if it’s westers, or a regular to narrow tree if it is english. If the saddle is too wide it will fall on her withers and cause pain. Wither relife pads come in several different styles, so it doesnt matter which you use, but choose a thick one.
From looking at her picture, I’d say she needs some toning up for sure- her back isn’t actually a sway-back, but one that lacks muscle. Here’s some things you can do:
1- lots of lateral work- should in, shoulder out, haunches in, haunches out, sidepassing, transitions work, etc.- anything to get her round. When a horse rounds, they use their back muscles. Dont expect drastic change, this can tack time.
2- Get her lifting her feet up- over ground poles, small caveletti, etc- we have even placed 2×6″ boards across the entry to our stalls, gateways, and run-in shed entrances to get horses to lift their feet throughout the day. By lifting their feet, especially the rear feet, they will build up stronger back muscles. Even on trail rides, find fallen logs, anything low, to walk over.
As for weight gain, get her teeth checked ASAP! SO many people just feed more to their horses, and are astounded that they dont put weight on, when alot of the time they just cant chew the food well enough to digest it properly and get the most out of it- and essentially a good floating can pack the pounds on quickly. Also, try feeding more roughage (hay and grass), and maybe use a weight building technique like supplements (Fat Cat is the best I’ve found) to add calories without risking colic from too much food. Use double what they tell you to use until you start to see a difference. Also, look at what food you are giving- choose one high in fat and protien, I like Blue Seal feeds, and Blue Seal Demand has always been a winner for us with hard-to-keep horses.
She doesn’t look malnourished, but a good vitamin supplement and maybe a probiotic will help her to absorb more of her food nutrients as well.
Lastly, do several light workouts- no longer than 35-40 minutes of light exercise, walking, trotting, ground poles, about 5-6 times a week. This will buid up her appetite, muscle tone, but not use up too many calories, until she gets to the weight you desire.
And remember that a healthy weight gain is no more than 75-100lbs in a month. It will take time and work. And she may just be petite by nature, especially if she wasn’t fed up when she was growing.
Good luck!
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