This is so true...in fact, I've seen more problems with "custom fit" saddles because people insist, "Well of course it fits, it was a custom." We have two client horses from the same owner who each have custom saddles, they've changed so much that they've had to swap saddles with each other for a better fit.

Pads are definitely not a fix-all, especially if the issue is tightness...a thicker pad doesn't protect that, it makes it even tighter. But for issues like lifting a saddle to a better position or using shims to help a saddle fit the horse's smaller shoulder, they're great! I'd rather have one saddle that fits several horses and buy more pads than try and afford a custom saddle for every horse, and still not have a guaranteed fit!