There are a lot of different choices when searching for the best Western saddle pad for high withers. Below is a YouTube video wherein a vet answers the question, "what causes swayback in horses? This results in saddle fitting problems, long term soundness issues and, too often, a horse that's consequently not happy under saddle (read: sore, surly and snappish). Hold a piece of carrot low, near the point of shoulder, and ask the horse to lower its head down as far as it comfortably can to get a bite. If your riding partner does not suffer from swayback or any known back problems, protect their back and spine while you can with a seat saver pad. Use Firefox browser. Why Are Some Horses Called Warmbloods? Read more about Saddle Bridging in this article. If the horse is only displaying signs of a sway from lack of correct muscle development, then using the saddle bridging shims will allow the horse to move more comfortably and correctly so that those muscles can be developed and the shims may eventually be removed. One of our popular pads that does this well is the Reinsman Contour Swayback Saddle Pad. Made from the same hi-tech foam as other Cashel Cushion pads, each is designed to be ridden next to the horse or on top of a thin blanket or pad. This is especially crucial for swayback horses, as too much pressure on their already weak ligaments can cause great pain. Christmas Ornaments & Other Items. Square Western Swayback Saddle Pads in two styles: Regular Square (30" x 30"), or Large Square (32" x 32").
Great with the Cashel ¼ felt liners. Swayback or equine lordosis is when the horse's back dips into a smooth curve instead of being straight. A contoured or specially-formed swayback saddle pad is your best bet for a pad that properly fits a horse with a swayback. A swayback does not appear to cause horses any pain. Dealing with a Sway Back Horse, then this will make the horse more comfortable and offer a more permanent solution. We offer corrective saddle pads and shock absorbing shims for swayback horses in every saddle style.
Can swayback be avoided? She says, "The proper saddle pad is also very important for the comfort of the horse. Can you prevent swayback in horses? English Swayback Saddle Pad measures 26" x 23". Help eliminate bridging with the 1" thick foam core in the center and tapers on each end to level the saddle from front to rear and fill in all the voids. Although the condition looks as if it's painful, few horses with lordosis are experiencing pain. READ MORE: How to Clean a Wool Saddle Pad. If you are not completely satisfied with an item, simply return it in its original, unused condition within 30 days of receipt along with a copy of the original invoice or return form (if applicable) and it will be refunded, replaced, or exchanged for you. Needless to say, this happens when the horse's back is not properly cared for.
Swayback horses can experience discomfort when saddled, and when the saddle doesn't fit properly, the rider will feel it too. Fills to 1½" in the Center of the Back. Measure from the center of the saddle to the outermost part of your rigging and, under the seat to the edge of the skirt at the leg. Just about any high end saddle company can get you a curvy tree with the panel configuration you'd need. If working with a partner, have the other person stand on one side of your horse while you stand on the other. If you have a swayback foal, potentially, you may be able to delay the onset of the condition by not overburdening the young horse, ensuring it gets the proper vitamins and nutrients in his diet and avoiding excessive physical exertion. Cashel 30" x 30" Western Swayback Cushion Pad. Shampoos & Conditioners. High Workload and Constant Riding. Cashel Swayback English Cushion Pad.
Exercise: Slice a carrot up in thin pieces–not too large, or you may cause your horse to choke. Swayback as a whole is not too bad of a condition. Does your horse also have high withers? It made me wonder why some horses have curved backs and whether you can do things to prevent it from occurring. Work together to use your linked hands to lift up under the horse's barrel, so that it feels as though you are trying to 'pick up' the horse's belly. All rights reserved. ThinLine has several thicknesses of shims and they may be stacked so riders can remove a layer at a time when the horses back begins to strengthen and lift. Round-Backed Horses. Best Saddle Pad For Swayback Horse. How to Fit a Saddlepad. However, it's ok to ride a swayback as long as the saddle fits the horse correctly. This effect continues over multiple years, and ultimately, the horse's back becomes unnaturally curved.
There are many different shapes and sizes of saddle pads, and the wrong one can make things worse. These pads can also be a good fit for ranch horses and using horses, and fit can be specific to the horse's build and saddle fit. White Hairs: are caused by too much pressure in a small spot. Saddle pads should fill in the curve and even out the pressure on the horse's back. It'll also explain why saddle fitting for these horses is something that's best left to the professionals and not really something you can do at home yourself. Bridging Shim Placement. Keep Saddle From Riding Up! Lay your flat hand along the horse's barrel so that your finger tips can press the midline mark at the center of the horse's barrel. The Western saddle pad fitting properly is critical for correct saddle placement.
Watch out for telltale signs. Another good option is the ThinLine Standard Trimmed Basic Pad or any model of ThinLine Pad. Swaybacked horses in general do not experience pain. When you use a standard saddle on a horse with a curved back, only the saddle's front and back touch the horse's back. However, the upside of the situation is that horses with curved backs are almost always as efficient as regular horses. © Copyright 2023 The Bony Pony. 99 sale Wool Top Swayback Saddle Pad $119. How a proper tack will help prevent symptomatic lordosis. Kentucky Equine Research. A horse who is usually easygoing will be cranky and unresponsive. We ship worldwide from our warehouse located in Harrington, Delaware. If a swayback is carrying an excessive amount of weight, it is painful. Be the first to rate this item!
Corrective padding will not fix a truly bad-fitting saddle. But of course, any horse overloaded will show clear signs of pain and fatigue. Let us know about your experience below! So, the weight of the rider is only on the front and back of the saddle as their body moves. It is fully enclosed in 100% woven wool blanket on the outer and wool felt inner. And from my experience, longer backs provide a better, more ordered gait. This article will cover everything you need to know about saddle fit for swayback horses, including the causes of the condition, and why a well-fitting saddle is important for these horses.
Extra Large - 32"x32". Our products are here to help you and your horse work happily together. Conformation plays a role. Cook, D., P. C. Gallagher, and E. Bailey. I'm Jack Johnson, a proud Texan and passionate horse lover. Recommendations vary based on the discipline for which the horse is used. Can swayback in horses be corrected? Saddles will bridge in different areas depending upon your horses confirmation and the tree of the saddle. We offer shims in two thicknesses, allowing you to provide your horse with precisely the right amount of build-up.
When fitting a saddle for a swayback horse, it's important that the weight of the rider is properly and evenly distributed, because the less weight that is put on your horse, the less pain they will feel. She's going to change from growth, and then she's going to change again from muscling when she is ridden. This genetic component of swayback horses is probably why there are so few, less than 1%. Swayback doesn't usually affect the horse's performance. Making customs can be tricky, and it's best to get one made after the horse has fully grown.