Saddle Pad

Equestrian Saddle

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

Equestrian saddle pads are important pieces of equipment for every rider. Whether you're an experienced rider or brand new to the sport, finding the right pad for you and your horse will go far toward keeping you both going for many years.

While a saddle pad might sound like something you can buy anywhere, in any form, and it will be fine, in actuality you will want to put more thought than that into selecting your equestrian saddle pads. The pad you choose will need to be the right kind for your style of riding, fit well under your particular equipment, and meet the specific needs of your horse. To achieve these goals, you'll want to educate yourself about what makes a good pad in general, the options that are out there, and how to find the one that will work best for you as an equestrian.

General Information

Equestrian saddle pads include anything that sits between your saddle and your horse's back. Because the saddle cannot sit directly on the horse while you are riding without rubbing and causing him other pain, it would be difficult to ride without padding. This is where equestrian saddle pads come in. At their most basic, they separate the saddle from the horse's back to reduce rubbing and chafing.

They can do more than that, however. With the advent of modern technology, an equestrian pad can wick sweat, help with cooling, cushion sore areas, absorb shock, and much more. This means that some horses who would not have been ridden in years past now can be, and can go without pain or difficulty.

Note, however, that no amount of padding can protect a horse from poorly fitted equipment or tack that does not work for his back. Thus, while equestrian saddle pads can help with difficulties, they should not be seen as an excuse to buy shoddy equipment, no matter how inexpensive it is. It also means that you will need to fit the rest of your equestrian equipment before your pad, to make sure everything fits properly.

Equestrian Saddle Pad Options

There are many options to choose from when it comes to finding the pads that are right for you and your horse. Some of these equestrian saddle pads are more commonly found for different types of riding, like English, Dressage, or Western, but you can generally find any type of pad styled for any type of riding if you look hard enough.

If it's important to you to have an all-natural saddle pad, a wool or felt pad will probably best meet your equestrian needs. Wool pads usually come in the form of square blankets that lay across the horse's back, and are most commonly used in the Western style. However, you can also find black or white blankets that will work for English saddles.

Sometimes, a pad can also be made out of fleece. This has some of the similar effects of wool but looks nicer. English riders who show often use these pads for showing even if they don't use them at home, as they dress up the saddle's look and feel. This allows for the pad to be both functional and meet the requirements for showing.

Felt is compressed wool, and does a better job of wicking sweat while taking up less space than wool. In addition, felt does a good job of protecting animals from the rubbing that can occur from a saddle. Felt, however, does not provide the ultimate in shock absorption. If your horse has specific back problems, you will probably need to use other pads in addition to your felt one. You will want to make sure that any felt pads you seriously consider are made of a high quality, high density wool, or the pad will not last very long because your horse's sweat will break it down. You can find felt in equestrian saddle pads of all styles as it is a common and popular choice. Overall, felt pads are one of the most popular overall choices for horses with regular backs.

Cotton pads also exist, though many equestrian riders do not like them as much as their wool counterparts. While cotton is a natural fiber and is lightweight and easy to use, it doesn't do much in the way of wicking sweat, absorbing shock, or protecting a horse's back. While these types look nice, they are not particularly functional, especially with all of the other options that exist. They also tend to be thinner than other types, so provide even less protection than they might if they were thicker.

If you're willing to look at something synthetic, there are a lot of options for equestrian saddle pads. Many equestrians like a closed cell foam pad. These are sometimes used in conjunction with one of the wool types noted above, as this foam is much better for shock absorption and distributing weight evenly but does not wick moisture very well at all. Dual pads are a good option for horses who are difficult to fit or who tend to have sore backs.

Gel inserts are also popular types of equestrian saddle pads. These are particularly useful for horses that have some sort of injury or need special protection, because they absorb shock very efficiently. Usually, these can be used with one of the other types of saddle pad and are inserted into the pad wherever extra protection is needed or desired.

Finally, neoprene equestrian saddle pads are also popular in some circles. Since neoprene is waterproof, they are easy to keep clean and new-looking. Many times, the bottom of these have a waffle weave pattern, which allows the horse to stay cool. These pads also tend to be sticky, so your other equestrian equipment is less likely to slide and slip.

How to Choose Equestrian Saddle Pads

Once you know which type of equestrian saddle pads you're looking for, the most important thing in selecting a particular pad is that it fits your horse and your equipment. Be sure to take into consideration any special needs your horse has, like high withers or a swayed back, as well as your needs as an equestrian. If you have any questions about the type of padding you need, make sure you check with a vet or someone who specializes in fitting equestrian saddle pads to difficult horses.

If at all possible, see if you can take any equestrian saddle pads that you're interested in purchasing home to try them on your horse with your particular equipment. No matter how experienced of an equestrian you are, it's difficult to visualize exactly how something will fit or whether or not it will help your horse in a particular way. If you can't take a pad home, at least bring your saddle to the tack store to make sure it will work with your equipment.

Once you've chosen the pad that's best for you, your horse, and that works well with the rest of your equipment, rest assured that you have made a good decision. Enjoy your new piece of tack and rest assured that your new equestrian saddle pads will fulfill the purposes you intended for them. Happy trails!