Saddle Pad
Western Saddle Pad
Saddle Pad Types
There is nothing like ambling along a wooded trail, taking in the solitude of the forest or "loping" aimless across a vast expanse of open western prairie, the wind in your hair or simply sitting and enjoying the view from a high ridge, all from the back of a great horse. Of course, a comfortable saddle and a carefully fitted pad makes all the difference in the world. The pad keeps the horse's skin from chaffing and gives the rider a bit more support for a much smoother ride.
The Western saddle pad is usually made of wool, cotton or synthetic fabrics. Most are a single thickness, while some others are made to be folded for double thickness.
Originally, the western horse blanket - precursor to the Western saddle pad - was the only thing between the rider and the horse's back and it was merely to give the rider some protection and control from slippage. Throughout western history, Native Americans would roam the Great Plains for days, weeks and months at a time with little more than hand-woven blanket, decorated in bright tribal colors, between them and their horse – usually a Paint or Appaloosa. Later the colorful blankets would be attached to the horse with a leather strap or a rope. Over the years, the blanket continued to evolve until it finally became more of a pad. Then, when saddles where brought to America by the Spanish riding their feisty Mustangs, the pad became a buffer beneath the saddle, and soon, a necessary piece of western equipment. But many Native Americans, even today, still ride with nothing more than the hand-woven blanket. It takes more skill, but purists will often argue that it's the only way to ride in true western style.
Today's pad, usually measuring 32" by 32", is usually constructed with heavy felt centers made to absorb moisture and shock, while dissipating heat and minimizing fatigue for the horse's back muscles.
Just like their western predecessors, the modern pads are often hand sewn and some even feature contoured cut-outs for comfort and are made to fit snug along the horse's spine - which reduces slipping. Leather along the edging can make them much, much more durable.
Choices and Types
There are a number of specific types of saddle pads. In fact, you can become overwhelmed with choices if you're not certain about what you want.
First, keep in mind you're looking for an American style or Western saddle pad versus an English or even an Australian style pad. The shape and overall design will be completely different, depending on the style of saddle you'll be riding.
For the most part, trail riders like to go for long, leisurely rides in rural areas along old country roads, through wooded paths or under the hot western sun. The pace of the trail rider is often, slow and comfortable. The exception will be when riders are in competitions – such as barrel racing. So, depending on your saddle, you may want more support and comfort as well as having the ability to keep your horse cool during those long summer rides. Choosing the right material and design is essential.
For example, a Western saddle pad might be made with a wool fleece bottom - which is to say a natural sheep fleece instead of a synthetic fleece. But there are trade-offs.
The wool fleece pad traditionally has a bit more cushion than synthetic fleece. However, synthetic fleece will usually outlast a natural sheep fleece and has less of a tendency to become matted and compacted. This is because horse sweat can break down natural sheep fleece much faster than synthetic fleece. But generally speaking - with regard to price - fleece, whether natural sheep fleece or synthetic, is usually the least expensive Western saddle pad to buy.
Unlike fleece, the felt Western saddle pad is made of compressed wool and has the ability to draw sweat away from the horse and dissipate the heat into the felt. Compressed wool is also a great component for shock absorption. Felt can also alleviate pressure points on the horse's back that can naturally occur. Overall, while a bit more expensive, the compressed wool felt Western saddle pad is universally considered one of the best choices a rider can make.
A New Generation of Materials
Next comes the new generation of materials used in the making of the Western saddle pad.
Neoprene has become very popular in recent years – Though it may not have the look and feel we got use to seeing in those old western movies. Neoprene is water resistant and extremely easy to maintain. The "waffle bottom" patterned design allows the material to "breath" and keep the horse much cooler under the saddle during long rides, while providing ample support against impact for both the horse and rider. Neoprene also has something of a "sticky affect" which helps keep the entire rig from sliding over or rolling off the horse.
One other factor to consider when deciding on a Western saddle pad is construction.
For example, while a "straight" Western saddle pad is for horse with a normal line or "definition" to the withers, a "contour" Western saddle pad is designed for a horse with taller withers or just a slight dip in their back. The unique "contour" design will help relieve pressure on the withers.
Another design, specifically with the withers in mind, is the "cutout" design. This has a cutaway at the top - the point right next to the horse's withers. The "cutout" can also be helpful in relieving the pressure on the withers as can the "swayback" design. The "swayback" is designed with a gradual increase in thickness toward the center. Obviously, this is for a horse with a swayback, but it is also used when the horse's withers are so prominent that a dip occurs in the horse's back. Finally, the "built up" is, as its name suggests, "built up" along the center line of the horse, raising the entire rig up off the withers.
There's one other common Western saddle pad design, but this is design is not really aimed at the contour of the horse. It's designed with the saddle in mind.
The Western saddle pad design known as "the round skirt" – often called "the contest" pad - and is used on horses with short backs or for a saddle that has a round skirt.