BASIC Shim Patterns for DOWNHILL HORSES

IMPORTANT NOTE: The shimming patterns we recommend are designed to work effectively with PARELLI SADDLES, which are constructed specifically to fit the
horse in motion. Parelli saddle shapes have ROOM built in to accommodate pad/shim interface that is truly effective and supremely comfortable for the horse.
More than a decade of research and careful observations of what is necessary to enable a horse to be happy has reinforced our conviction that this is important.
We cannot guarantee that shimming non-Parelli saddles can be as effective. In fact, shimming under a saddle that has “rock” in the tree’s bars (center of the
saddle’s underside curves downward to fit the horse’s back when it’s “down” while he is standing at rest) may add too much pressure in the center back area.
BASIC Shim Patterns for DOWNHILL HORSES
with NO
HOLLOW
WITHERS are LOWER than croup, but there is not a sunken center nor Muscle Atrophy in this example. Still,
saddle pressure MUST be lifted off the horse’s shoulders via shim(s) so horse can travel properly.
Illustrations are intended to indicate shim position INSIDE the pad ‘s shim pocket. Shims should be placed as shown, ON TOP of the air cells in Theraflex pads as well as on top of the SmartFoam inserts in our Smart Pads. Shim position and placement would be relatively the same for other pads, but
our research has indicated clearly that Smart Pads and Theraflex yield best overall results. Smart Pads may be easier to use and more “forgiving”.
If your horse is only slightly “downhill”, it
might be possible to use just one foam
shim alone. If downhill is steeper, we
have often found that building a gradual
“ramp” by tucking a thin or thick felt shim
under and behind the front shim creates more lift for the front of the saddle
and more room for the shoulder to swing
underneath. Need more lift? Try adding
another felt or foam shim, or using a center foam shim shifted forward to help. Be
certain you don’t tilt saddle so much that
it digs into horse at the back. Add a shim
in the back of the pad pocket if this is so.
Our latest research indicates that Foam shims are often preferable to Felt shims the main “shoulder-area lifter” for downhill horses.
Felt shims are still effective, but less so, unless horse is well muscled, and only slightly downhill (or level or uphill).
Combining a thick or thin Felt shim as a wedge/ramp under or on top of the front Foam shoulder shim is often a good idea.
For WESTERN or CRUISER Saddles
Note: Cruiser pads have an “English” shape, but contain Western size
NOTE POSITION of
protective cells in the pockets under the tree bars, as
foam “shoulder”
Cruisers are made on our Western tree
shims, as we like to
and require the larger size air cells.
place them
NOT ALL THE WAY
FORWARD in the
pad pocket.
If horse is more
downhill, you could
add a felt shim on
top of it and shifted
forward, or underneath, as per below.
Note: above illustration is of our SMART PAD. Below, our THERAFLEX pad.
Both have sensational technological, dynamic and therapeutic features/
benefits. We recommend the Smart Pad for long rides, trail/endurance,
and high-torque performance sports. Read more on our website.
Shim patterns are relatively the same for either pad.
For ENGLISH Saddles
Keep shim set back
at the position of
scapula max backswing point! This
helps keep pressure
off the working
shoulder!
ALTERNATIVES: (Feel free to EXPERIMENT! You AND your horse will benefit!)
For broad-shouldered horses, we usually like to position the front
shim pulled back from the front of the pad’s pocket, at an angle,
as illustrated. This way, the thick part lifts the saddle from down
low, and the tapered edge puts no pressure on top of the shoulder.
English trees are more shallow, so shoulder shim would usually be
positioned more level, as shown...but PLEASE experiment!
The illustration directly at left is a sample shim pattern using a felt
shoulder shim tucked under and slightly behind the foam shim, which
creates a gradual “ramp” of support to lift the saddle in cases where
horse is a bit more downhill.
The idea is to lift the front of the saddle starting from further back,
while creating room for the scapula to swing underneath.
Copyright 2012 Parelli Natural Horsemanship, Inc. and Natural Horseman Saddles, LLC
Parelli Saddle Fit Education PAGE 5
BASIC Shim Patterns for DOWNHILL HORSES with Hollow :
WITHERS are significantly LOWER than croup. Center area is sagging, so saddle must be lifted up in front + “connected” to
the horse’s body via a shim in center so saddle doesn’t “bridge”.
Illustrations are intended to indicate shim position INSIDE the pad pocket. Shims should be placed as shown, ON TOP of the air cells in Theraflex pads
or Smart Foam cells in Smart Pads. If you wish to use other types of saddle pads, shim position and placement would be relatively the same.
When a horse has a low-center area along
the back, it must be filled (not over-stuffed)
enough to offer soft support that keeps
good connection with the saddle. This
encourages pushing up/rounding up under
the saddle/rider, and you’ll feel that the
hindquarters can get deeper underneath
and be more powerful. As always be conscious of building a “ramp” of support by
putting the front shims on top and staggered forward, so that the shoulders can
swing underneath the space created. In
other words: the front-most shim should be
farthest away from your horse’s body.
Our latest research indicates that Foam shims are often preferable to Felt shims the main “shoulder-area lifter” and “center fill” for
downhill horses with a significant low spot in center. Felt shims can still be effective in combination with foam ones, but less helpful
by themselves, unless horse has a very shallow hollow area in the center and is only slightly downhill (or level or uphill).
For WESTERN or CRUISER Saddles
Note: Cruiser pads have an “English” shape, but contain Western size
protective cells in the pockets under the tree bars, as
Experiment if you think
there’s room for improvement!
Cruisers are made on our Western tree
and require the larger size air cells.
Try shifting shims forward or
For ENGLISH Saddles
back until it feels just right!
We like to position the foam
shoulder shim set back from
the front of the shim pocket,
as shown. This gives more
room for the shoulder to
operate. The foam center
helps with lifting the front
of the saddle, too, when you
shift it forward.
Note: above illustration is of our SMART PAD. Below, some alternative
suggestions on our THERAFLEX pad’s air cells. Both pads have sensational
technological, dynamic and therapeutic features/benefits. We recommend
the Smart Pad for long rides, trail/endurance, and high-torque performance
sports. Read more about the 2 pads on our website.
Shim patterns can be relatively the same for either pad.
ALTERNATIVES: (Feel free to EXPERIMENT! You AND your horse will benefit!)
If you find you need more lift in front, you could tuck in another
shoulder shim, staggered forward of the foam shim that’s in the
pocket. (You can make this decision after you mount and check to
feel if you’ve got good Balance Point access). Just dismount and tuck it
on top of the Theraflex
Note: if your horse is extremely “Downhill”,
pad or use the front
you may also need a shim at the back to make
access opening of
sure the angle required to lift the front is not so
the Smart Pad.
steep that it creates a pressure point at the back
No need to unsaddle.
of the saddle. ALWAYS check this by reaching
back under the saddle as you ride along. It
should not feel uncomfortably tight. Also:
Shifting the foam center shim toward the back a
bit further might relieve such pressure without
adding another shim. Smart Pads sometimes
Copyright 2012 Parelli Natural Horsemanship, Inc. and Natural Horseman Saddles,LLC
need less shims than Theraflex pads. Parelli Saddle Fit Education PAGE 6