I use a triple thick Woolback pad whenever possible (almost always). =
Endurance horse's backs need the protection, no matter how well your =
saddle fits. Eventually just the movement of the saddle will irritate a =
horse's back if there is not much padding.
There are so many pads on the market today, but I still think wool is =
the best. Woolback makes an extra large dressage (triple thick) which I =
use with my dressage saddle. I have ridden over 7,500 miles, and most =
of them have been on a woolback pad. I wash them in my washing machine =
when appropriate, and my pads last for thousands of miles.
I use a neoprene (spelling?) girth, and it is not very tight. This =
combination has worked well for me.
Good luck, Lynn Golemon