I have been riding horses for a while an just bought a new one. My english saddles tree is to wide for my new horse can I use a wither riser pad with the saddle so it doesnt sit directly on his withers? I was going to use the Equine Innovations Channel-Contoured Riser Pad. Please help I can't get my saddle to a maker its to far..

How much wider is it? But I would try to get the right size ASAP or do you have a different saddle you could use? Until you get the right size. I know how you feel though the nearest place that fixes or sells good saddle is about 1 hour away from my house.

I know the closet place is 3 hours from here. The tree is not that much wider. the tree just sits on his withers and there is no gap on either side so it only has to be lifted maybe 3/4 of an inch. I just don't want it to cause problems.

You may be able to pad it up for a short time, but it won't take long for your horse to start feeling it. You may want a pad that's got some life in between your knee and the pommel, or you can fold baby pads to fill in the space between his withers and shoulder. Does that make sense? You've really got to get the tree off his withers.

I just turned 13, and I've been riding for one year. My favorite horse is Star. She's glossy black with a touch of red and a white star on her forehead. I do little jumps and I'm working on a smoother canter. Star's favorite snack is peanut butter and jelly sandwiches.

I've never been on a message board before!

If the tree sits on his withers, then it's MUCH too wide. Pad him up for now, but you NEED to buy a new saddle. If you ride too much in this saddle, even with padding to lift it up, your horse will end up with a sore back.

~Barbara
http://EquineFriends.com