Shims
Shims are a fantastic resource to help ensure proper fit and balance of the saddle for both horse and rider.
Shims aid in support and adjust for a better saddle fit by lifting the front of the saddle off the horse's shoulders, allowing better working range of motion and avoiding the rider placing unintentional pressure and stress near the withers. Shims can offer the necessary lift to balance the rider and avoid putting the horse on his forehand.
Depending upon where your horse's anatomy and motion affect the saddle's placement and movement, the rider may feel tipped forward in their saddle's seat, shims can assist in leveling out the saddle.
Additionally, as your horse's physique changes, shims are intended to be modified and adjusted to assist in maintaining balance if a horse is downhill, has one shoulder larger than the other, starts or stops consistently in exercise, changes shape with growth or aging, etc.
If your horse has one shoulder larger than the other, add shims the side of the smaller shoulder. Panel shims or pad shims work best to correct this issue.
If your horse is downhill, pocket shims provide the biggest lift to the front of the saddle and work best to correct this issue.
There are three different types of shims that work well with Ghost saddles:
(1) Felt Panel Shims. These shims are designed to be inserted into the front of the Velcro opening inside the saddle's panels. These soft shims are minimalistic and provide a clean look since they're placed inside the equipment and are not visible once installed. Sold as a set of four, use one set for a 1/4" lift or both together for a 1/2" lift.
(2) Felt Pad Shims. These shims are designed to be are inserted into the front of the saddle pad. This option is ideal switching the saddle between horses and only one of them needs shims. These shims are layered on top of the saddle pad inserts. Sold as a set of four, use one set for a 1/4" lift or both together for a 1/2" lift.
(3) Velcro Pocket Shims. These are a 2cm thick wedged shim and cut from the same material the Ghost saddle pad inserts are made of. They're placed on the underside of the saddle's base and provide the biggest lift of all the shim types. Velcro pocket shims are designed to be used with both Ghost panels and the Ghost western skirt.