Instructions
Put the saddle pad on your horse. It's important that the horse "try on" the saddle pad before you use it regularly. Place the front of the pad right over your horse's withers. Put your regular saddle on him and get on. Ride around enough so that the horse works up a small amount of sweat.
Check if the saddle is digging into the horse's shoulder. A pad that is too thick will sometimes make the saddle fit too narrow for the horse's back. This puts too much pressure on the horse's shoulder and causes the saddle to rest too close to the horse's spine.
Check for pressure points. These often occur when using a riser pad. After you ride your horse with the saddle pad, examine his back. Signs of pressure points include a place where the hair swirls in an odd direction or is rubbed off, or a dry patch under the pad. Pressure points are not only uncomfortable, they can also cause serious muscle damage.
Double-check the fit when choosing a pad that is meant to provide shock absorption, like a gel pad. A poorly fitting saddle combined with a gel pad can make any pressure points even worse.
Check to see if the pad slipped at all. Synthetic pads often slip around because they don't absorb sweat the way pads made from natural fibers do. A saddle pad that slips will cause chafing, and it will be annoying for you and your horse.
Use a pad that can help alleviate any back problems your horse has. A horse with high withers or a dipped back may need a contour pad that relieves pressure. A horse with a swayed back needs a sway-back pad. If your horse has any back problems, the most important thing you can do is test different pads to see which ones don't create discomfort and pressure points.
How to Fit Western Saddle Pads
A saddle pad spreads the weight of the saddle and rider over the horse's back and keeps the saddle from slipping around. It absorbs moisture and cools the horse. A saddle pad that fits incorrectly can cause chafing, sores and back problems for a horse. It is important to make sure the saddle pad you buy fits your horse properly and doesn't exacerbate any fit problems of the saddle itself. Often with Western saddles, if the saddle doesn't fit properly, the saddle pad can't do anything to make the horse more comfortable.