I really hate doing it by process of elimination. I really don't want/like to hurt a horse. But I think that is about all even the best saddle maker could do in this situation. Too many years, too many horses with no problems to not at least see if it was the wore out pad.
Becky
It would certainly be improved with a new pad.... I wonder about the unevenness about the way it's wearing.... and I assume that's what you're wondering about too.
And I understand your frustration.... you've been told all kinds of stuff that is now known to be wrong about this saddle and what's going on with it. And here you have internet people who can't really look at either the horse or the saddle 'cept in pictures, trying to give you even more opinion. :~D
Two more ??? I wondered, in this process of elimination....
Have you looked at Harley's back from above? Can you get up on something high and see if ~he's~ symmetrical? Some horses aren't.
What did you say the other day about someone saying your stirrups weren't the same length? Might that have something to do with it?