Positioning SMART™ Shims and Dorsal Supplement Pads

SMART™ Balance Pads are an integral part of the SMART™ saddle system, used where necessary to fit the SMART™ saddle to the horse and/or adjust the balance of the rider. All SMART™ Balance Pads have Velcro attachments easily enable a secure, accurate fit to each individual horse. Available in 2 x thicknesses: Standard and Slimline, they are designed to be used either individually or in conjunction with other SMART™ pads, as required by each horse/saddle/rider combination. 

 

Positioning the SMART DSP

Dorsal pads are designed to lift and support the entire surface area of the saddle’s base panel, they are specifically shaped to fit the base panels of SMART saddles.

• Symmetry is essential: Place the pads so they sit evenly on either side of the horse’s spine. 
• Don’t worry about Velcro alignment: The dorsal pads do not need to line up perfectly with the Velcro on your saddle cloth. 

• Angle them slightly: Most riders find that positioning the backs of the pads closer together and gradually widening towards the front works best. This leaves room for the wither while keeping full contact with the saddle’s base panel. 

• Avoid extremes: 

• Too high/close together → may impinge on gullet space and create pressure points. 

• Too low/far apart → may fail to support the saddle panels adequately. 

 

Check for symmetry: 

1. Lift the saddle cloth off your horse’s back. 
2. Close the two sides of the saddle cloth together. 
3. Run your fingers around both dorsal pads to feel if they sit in the same place on both sides. 

Tip: The SMART Saddles label is located at the rear of each dorsal pad and the Velcro is positioned just slightly above the mid-line. If your label is at the front of the pad or you have more pad above than below the Velcro, it needs rotating.  

 

Positioning the SMART Front Shims

Front shims help you achieve extra lift or clearance where needed, but they must be placed appropriately. They are used to provide extra support at the front of the saddle to give lift over a prominent wither or where muscle is lacking. They can also be used to help balance the rider by raising the front of the saddle and placing weight back over the seat bones. 

• Do not position too high: This can reduce gullet clearance rather than increase it. 

• Use your hands to guide placement: Feel behind your horse’s scapula and along any areas of atrophy to identify where support is needed. 

Correct orientation: 

• The label is at the rear of the shim (straight edge). 
• The rounded point faces down, following the contour of the shoulder panel. 

 

Positioning the SMART Rear Shims

Rear shims sit under the back of the saddle panel, following the same shape as the base. They are used to provide support at the rear of the saddle to either give lift, providing support under the rider’s seatbones, or support where muscle is lacking. They can also be used for rider balance if the horse has a dipped or asymmetrical back. 

• Align with the rear of the base panel. 

• Straight edge (with label) faces the centre seam of the saddle cloth. 

• Rounded edge (no label) faces the back. 

 

Note: Using Front Shims as Rear Shims  

The larger base panels on the Elite saddle range allow front shims to be used at the rear: 

• Rotate them so the straight edge points towards the middle of the panel. 

• The rounded points face up towards the gullet, with each side’s point “reaching” towards the other near the centre seam. 

 

Key Takeaways

✅Always check symmetry by closing the cloth and comparing both sides. 

✅Keep pads and shims clear of the gullet space to avoid impinging on this key area. 

✅Unsure if you’ve got your shims facing the right way? Check where the label is. 

✅Adjust angles to suit your horse’s individual shape. 

Correctly placed shims and dorsal pads are used to adjust the saddle fit for horse and/or rider depending on the horse's back shape and muscle condition.