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Prolite Relief Saddle Pads | Emmers Equestrian
Prolite Relief pads are thin, perforated foam half pads designed to sit under the saddle and fine-tune fit rather than mask it. The foam spreads the saddle's weight-bearing surface to relieve pressure points while staying thin enough not to lift or destabilize the saddle itself. The standout feature is the shim system: removable inserts in different thicknesses let you adjust balance front-to-back or side-to-side, which is genuinely useful for a horse whose shape is changing, through muscle development, seasonal condition shifts, or growth in a younger horse, or for one saddle used across more than one horse.
It's worth being clear-eyed about what these pads are for. They're a fine-tuning tool for a saddle that's fundamentally the right shape, not a fix for one that doesn't fit at all. If a saddle sits badly regardless of padding, a Prolite pad will help less than getting the saddle itself properly checked.
Tips for Choosing:
- Choose the Tri Riser if you need to adjust balance in more than one direction, since it uses multiple shims to fine-tune front, rear, and lateral fit rather than a single flat insert.
- Start with fewer or thinner shims than you think you need, and add gradually; over-correcting a saddle's balance can create new pressure points rather than solving the original one.
- Use these pads alongside, not instead of, a saddle fitter's advice, especially if your horse's shape has changed noticeably or the saddle hasn't been checked recently.
- Check for even wear and consistent perforation across the pad periodically, since a pad that's compressed unevenly over time will distribute pressure less effectively than a fresh one.
- If you're using the same saddle across multiple horses, consider a dedicated set of shims per horse, since reconfiguring for each one taxes the pad and your time less than guessing at a single compromise setting.
Frequently asked questions
What problem does a Prolite Relief pad actually solve?
It relieves pressure points and fine-tunes saddle balance by spreading the saddle's contact area and allowing adjustment via removable shims — it's a fit-tuning tool, not a cushioning accessory for comfort alone.
Can this fix a saddle that doesn't fit my horse?
Not on its own; it's designed to fine-tune a saddle that's already broadly the right shape, not compensate for one that's a poor match altogether.
How do the shims work?
They're removable foam inserts of varying thickness that slot into the pad, letting you raise or level specific areas to adjust how the saddle balances on your horse's back.
Will a Prolite pad change how my saddle sits?
It's built to be thin enough to avoid destabilising the saddle while still relieving pressure, so a well-chosen setup shouldn't noticeably alter the saddle's stability.
How often should I reassess the shim setup?
Whenever your horse's shape changes meaningfully- after a change in fitness, muscle development, or season — since a setup that worked before may no longer be the right one.
Can I use this if I switch the saddle between two horses?
Yes, that's one of the more practical uses, since you can reconfigure the shims to suit each horse's individual balance needs rather than compromising on one fixed setting.
Find Prolite Relief pads and shim sets at Emmers Equestrian.