Another Mattes Pad Question... Sorry!

[LuvMyDressageQH]

So after some thought and insight from fellow COTHers, I purchased a Mattes Correction half pad (with fleece), size M to go under my 1988 17" Passier GT. I tried it on and boy, there is a LOT of pad sticking out around the sides under the back panels! I am trying to get pics online but so far can't get them off my cell phone :confused:

There is about 1 1/2 - 2" sticking out the back, too. Talking with another boarder at my barn, she commented that this might be a result of my saddle being an older model - it is narrow in the cantle area, non-gusseted panels, etc.

Mattes does make a size S half pad but it's only 18.5" long - they recommend it for up to size 16" saddles. I'm stumped, and the extra pad sticking out all around the saddle totally overwhelms my 15hh gelding. I'm also concerned about creating pressure points because the pad doesn't fit the saddle well; not as concerned about this since the sheepskin does absorb a lot of shock but still...

Any ideas? Is this how the Mattes pad is supposed to fit? Looking at the World Equestrian Brands catalogue online, I see some riders with the extra pad hanging out; I just think it looks really untidy and will have to return my black one for a white one :sigh:

[Riley0522]

It will look less overwhelming after you use it. The sheepskin does compress a little bit. I think bigger is better than too small. Also, make sure you're tucking the spine of the pad up into the gullet of your saddle, the pad is not supposed to sit flat on your horse's back.

I looooove my Mattes!!

[LuvMyDressageQH]

Does anyone have a picture of their dressage saddles w/ Mattes pads? Maybe what I will end up doing is buying a full pad in white just for shows so I don't have to clean it too often, and then keep my black one for day-to-day riding. Or maybe I will return my black one and get one of those cool custom ones :D

[evans36]

My size M mattes sticks out farther than it should too - from dressage and close contact saddles that are 17.5 inches. I just live with it basically :) If you're riding dressage, I would buy one of the dressage pad ones for competition and leave it at that. I don't think the correction pads really come smaller.