Saddle Pad

All Purpose Saddle Pad

Saddle Pad Types

• All Purpose Saddle Pad
• Black Saddle Pad
• Dressage Saddle Pad
• Endurance Saddle Pad
• English Saddle Pad
• Equestrian Saddle Pad
• Felt Saddle Pad

• Fleece Saddle Pad
• Gel Saddle Pad
• Horse Saddle Pad
• Saddle Pad Carrier
• Saddle Pad Covers
• Saddle Pad Liners
• Saddle Pad Shims

• Saddle Pad Size
• Sheepskin Saddle Pad
• SMx Saddle Pad
• Supracor Saddle Pad
• Toklat Saddle Pad
• Western Saddle Pad
• Wool Saddle Pad

An all purpose saddle pad is a great choice for someone who does a lot of riding or who rides many different horses in several different saddles. Having one pad that will work in many different situations can save you a lot of time and energy, not to mention the cost of having to buy different padding for every riding situation.

Finding an all purpose saddle pad, though, can be a daunting challenge. There are many things to consider, including the style that will work best under different riding conditions, the material that will be best for different horses, and how well a particular pad can be combined with other padding options for a horse with particular needs. While taking all of these things into consideration can be daunting, it will be worth the effort when you have one saddle pad you can use for many different riding scenarios.

Features of an All Purpose Saddle Pad

When looking for an all purpose saddle pad, the most important question to consider is: What are the attributes of a saddle pad that will be useful for all of your riding needs? Most answers to this question involve finding pads that will work across horses and saddles, that are durable and easy to clean, that can be combined with other pads if necessary for a particular horse/saddle situation, and that balances some of the key benefits of a saddle pad, like moisture control, shock absorption, and preventing rubbing.

It's important that you think through this question for yourself so you can buy an all purpose saddle pad that meets your particular needs. If, for instance, you will only be working with two horses but will be using three or four different saddles, it becomes more important that the padding work with the equipment than that it fit every type of horse out there. Taking your own situation into account will help ensure you find the all purpose saddle pad that you need.

Most riders looking for an all purpose saddle pad find that a deciding factor when making their final choice has to do with the number of horses and saddles that a particular model will work with. Regarding horses, make sure you take into account any particular medical conditions that any of your mounts might have. While it will occasionally not be possible to find all purpose padding that works with every horse you're going to ride, taking this into consideration can really help you eliminate pads that won't work with several of your mounts.

Regarding saddles, think particularly of the shape that you need an all purpose saddle pad to be in order for it to work under all of your equipment. Most contoured pads are saddle specific or, at most, will work under a particular style of equipment. If you're only going to be riding in an English saddle, for example, this might not be a problem. If, however, you need pads that can work under a variety of saddle styles, you will need to find something else that will fulfill your needs. For training purposes, a blanket can often be the best solution to this all purpose dilemma.

In addition to fitting both your horses and all of your equipment, you will want an all purpose saddle pad that is durable and easy to clean. Because you will be using it under multiple mounts and equipment, your all purpose padding will probably be used harder than padding specifically intended for use on a single horse or under a single saddle. Thus, any padding you buy should be particularly long-lasting, so that you can continue to use it for a long time.

You'll want a pad that is easy to clean because of the greater amount of use this sort of equipment gets. While padding intended for a single animal or under particular equipment might get used once a day, padding intended for all purpose use is often used multiple times daily. This means that you will need to clean it more often, and that will be less of a headache if it is inherently easy to clean.

You will probably also want an all purpose saddle pad that works well with other pads. This will allow you to modify the padding for a particular horse or piece of equipment, which will add to the all purpose nature of your pad. The more flexible your pads can be, the more useful they will be in different riding situations.

Finally, you will want to look for an all purpose saddle pad that combines some of the most important features of these pads. This includes things like the pad's moisture control and/or moisture wicking properties, its ability to absorb shock, and how it keeps your other equipment from rubbing your horse's back. Since an all purpose pad is not purchased with a specific horse and his specific riding and medical situation in mind, you'll want something that can be used on most horses in most circumstances.

Choosing an All Purpose Saddle Pad

Before you even look for an all purpose saddle pad, go through the considerations above and make sure you know what you're looking for. It's important that you have some specifications in mind when you go tack shopping. Otherwise, the sheer number of options available can be overwhelming. Be sure to take your financial situation into account when you make these considerations, so you don't end up spending more than you can afford. Quality equipment is important when it comes to equestrian activities, but it's not worth going into debt for.

Once you know what you're looking for in an all purpose saddle pad, look as many places as possible to get a good idea of what is available and how much it will cost you. Checking tack stores both in person and online can go far toward helping you make this purchase. Be sure that you're getting prices on truly comparable products so you have accurate information when making your choice.

If at all possible, try out your top choices before you purchase anything. If the store won't let you try your all purpose pads before you buy or doesn't allow returns, bring your saddle in with you. You can try out the pad under the saddle even if you don't know exactly how it will work with your horse. You should be able to get a good idea of whether or not it will work for you. To truly be all purpose, your pads should work with each of your pieces of equipment so bring them all with you, whether they're saddles, martingales, girths, or more.

By now, you should have a good idea of what you're looking for in an all purpose saddle pad and how to go about finding it. Be sure to take your time making the purchase so you can be sure the all purpose equipment you're buying will work in many riding situations. If you have further questions, other riders are a great resource when it comes to making this type of purchase. Tack store owners and trainers are also great resources when buying equestrian equipment.