Saddle Pad

Fleece 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

A fleece saddle pad is the choice that many riders make when they're looking for a pad that looks good but also has some significant benefits for their horse's back. For riders who need to achieve a certain "look" but who also care about their horse and want to be able to ride him for a long time, this type of pad can be the answer.

Benefits of Fleece

For many riders, the primary benefit of a fleece saddle pad is the particular look it lends to the whole riding ensemble. There is nothing that makes a rider look more lean and crisp on a horse's back than a fluffy white saddle pad, and fleece makes achieving that look easy. Usually, it is English riders, dressage riders or, sometimes, eventing riders who most want to get this look. However, this material can add to the look of any rider in any discipline.

In addition, a colored fleece saddle pad can create a funky, fun look that some riders try hard to obtain. If you're dressing up in a costume or trying to make a group of riders look good riding together, having fluffy, colored saddle pads can go far toward making your particular look work.

Beyond looking good, though, a fleece saddle pad has benefits for a horse's back, too. The biggest of these is its moisture wicking properties. If a fleece pad is genuine, it is made out of wool, which is well-known for its ability to absorb moisture while keeping the surfaces around it dry. When you're riding, this is particularly important. Because of the weight and texture of a saddle, a horse tends to sweat a lot under it. Add a rider on top and he will sweat even more. If you let this sweat build up, it will not only make the horse uncomfortable in the short-term, but will eventually cause rubbing, sores, and other problems that will injure the horse. Since any injury on a horse's back must heal completely before the animal can be ridden again, sweat build up can put a major damper on riding, training, and showing.

The fleece saddle pad helps riders avoid these sorts of problems. Because of its form and construction, wool is able to help pull the sweat from the horse's back. This can save a rider a lot of time spent cleaning the horse's back after rides, as well as money and heartache that would occur if the horse was injured.

Additionally, a fleece saddle pad can help with shock absorption. A horse's back must absorp a lot of shock. Not only does it bear some of his own weight, but it bears the weight of the equipment and rider, too. And the faster a horse moves, the more shock his back must absorb. Like when a human being runs, higher speed mean that the horse's weight comes down harder and, thus, creates even more shock that must be absorbed. Many sorts of saddle pads will help with this but fleece, because of the density of the wool it is made out of, will help more than many materials. Though there are some synthetic materials like gel, closed-cell foam, or neoprene that are better shock absorbers than fleece, it is as much help in this area as most horses need.

A fleece saddle pad will also help with problems that come from rubbing. While purchasing a saddle that fits the horse well is important for any rider, it's rare to find a saddle that fits perfectly. Because of the long hours that many horses spend in their tack, any imperfections in saddle fit can cause painful rubs that lead to lasting injuries. This is the whole point of having something under your saddle in the first place--to avoid injuries that come from a rubbing saddle. However, fleece performs this duty better than some other materials. Because of how it is made and the density of wool, this material will protect a horse's back better than something thinner and less springy.

Finally, a fleece saddle pad has the benefit of being all natural. Made of wool, this piece of equipment does not have anything added. Because chemicals can trigger allergies or simply irritate a horse's back, one benefit of fleece is its natural origins. Though some horses may need other materials because of previous injuries, a natural pad is always preferred and should be tried first.

Drawbacks of Fleece

While there are many benefits to a fleece saddle pad, there are also some things that a few riders complain about. Though these do not deter many people from purchasing this piece of equipment, it's important to know both sides before you make any final decisions about what you want to purchase.

First, a fleece saddle pad can be hot. Because of the nature and thickness of wool, it can make a horse warm even as it is keeping him dry. Since overheating can have serious consequences for your animal, you'll want to be careful about keeping him as cool as possible, especially when the weather is warm. Thus, wool may not be the material of choice if you live in a warm climate or for summer riding.

A fleece saddle pad also does not absorb shock as well as some other types of pads. While it does better than most other natural fibers and is good enough for many horses, riders who are particularly cautious or who know that their horse needs more padding may choose to forego this material in favor of something that better meets their needs.

In addition, the fleece in a saddle pad can get compressed. This will reduce its ability to absorb shock. There isn't anything a rider can do about this; it just happens over time. If a rider replaces his or her padding regularly, this shouldn't be a problem. If, however, he is hoping to keep the same equipment for many years, this material may not be a good choice.

A fleece saddle pad can also take a long time to dry. If it is functioning properly, it is absorbing sweat from the horse into itself. If it does this long enough, though, the pad itself gets quite damp. In order to keep it functioning well for a long time, it must dry thoroughly between washings.

Finally, some riders complain that a fleece saddle pad is difficult to clean. Due to the texture of the wool that makes up the padding, it is easy for dirt, horse hair, dust, etc. to get stuck in the pad and to be difficult to remove. While this often does not show on the outside, over time it can cause the equipment to get very dirty. Most riders solve this by replacing their pads every few years and washing them well in between times.

A fleece saddle pad is a good all-around pad for most horse and rider combinations. While horses with injuries or special needs may require more robust protection from shock or additional padding in specific areas, most animals will work well with a fleece pad and most riders will find that it suits their needs adequately.