Dressage Shim Pads: How Micro Adjustments Improve Balance, Comfort and Performance
Dressage Shim Pads: Fine-Tuning Saddle Fit for Comfort and Performance
Every dressage rider knows that small details make big differences. From the horse’s straightness on centreline to the precision of a half-halt, tiny adjustments separate a good test from a great one. The same principle applies to saddle fit. A saddle that tips forward by just a few millimetres, or sits heavier on one side, can restrict movement and create resistance. This is where a dressage saddle pad with shims becomes invaluable.
Shim pads allow riders and fitters to make micro adjustments to saddle balance and pressure distribution. Rather than waiting weeks for a reflock or investing in a new saddle when your horse changes shape, shims give you a practical way to adapt in real time, keeping your horse comfortable and your training on track.
Why Small Changes Matter in Dressage
Dressage places high demands on a horse’s back and topline. If the saddle tips too far forward, the shoulders can feel blocked, making it harder for the horse to lift in front and travel uphill. If the balance is too far back, the hind legs may trail and transitions become sluggish. Even subtle imbalances can discourage the horse from swinging freely through the back or seeking a soft, elastic contact. A shim pad lets you restore balance instantly, encouraging the kind of relaxation and straightness that dressage requires.
How Shim Pads Work
A shim pad looks much like a traditional dressage saddle cloth, but with discreet pockets that hold thin inserts. These shims, usually made from high-density foam, can be placed at the front, middle, or rear of the pad to subtly change saddle balance. Add a shim at the front to lift a saddle that tips forward, place one at the rear to prevent a saddle dropping back, or use them unevenly left to right to compensate for mild asymmetry in your horse’s musculature.
Because the adjustments are so precise, a shim pad is not a substitute for a professional saddle fit — but it is a valuable tool to keep the horse comfortable between fittings, during muscle development, or when using one saddle across multiple horses.
The Role of Lambswool and Spineless Design
High-quality shim pads often use natural lambswool against the horse’s back. Lambswool is breathable, moisture-wicking, and naturally cushioned, helping regulate temperature and reduce friction during long schooling sessions. Combined with a spineless design, which creates a clear air channel over the spine, the pad avoids direct pressure on sensitive areas. This means your horse stays cooler, drier, and freer to move — especially important in warm Australian conditions.
When a Dressage Shim Pad Makes Sense
Shim pads are especially useful when a horse is in transition — building topline, returning from a spell, or changing shape with training. They are also practical for riders who school multiple horses with one saddle, allowing quick adaptation without compromising comfort. In some cases, shims can even support horses with mild one-sidedness, helping achieve more even contact until the musculature develops through correct work.
Using Shims Correctly
Less is often more when it comes to shims. The goal is to make the saddle feel level and supportive without over-padding. Start with the thinnest shims possible and assess your horse’s way of going — look for freer shoulders, more swing through the back, and even sweat marks after schooling. Always pull the pad well into the gullet to keep the spine clear, and check with your saddle fitter to confirm that your shim setup is helping rather than hindering.
The Difference You’ll Feel
A correctly adjusted shim pad can transform the feel under saddle. Horses often show more freedom in the shoulder, smoother transitions, and more consistent contact. For the rider, this translates into a seat that feels level, secure, and better connected with the horse’s movement. In a sport where fractions of marks matter, that extra balance and harmony can be the difference between tension and expression.
In summary: a lambswool dressage pad with shims is not about quick fixes — it’s about giving your horse every chance to perform comfortably and correctly, even as their body changes with work. For Australian riders, it’s a practical, breathable, and adaptable way to protect the back, refine saddle fit, and support long-term training goals.
Discover Delzani’s dressage shim saddle pads, designed with Australian lambswool and precision shim systems for comfort, adjustability, and lasting performance.
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