Saddle Pad

Wool 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

Consider purchasing a wool saddle pad if you're looking for some new riding equipment. Though these pads are a little more expensive than many of their cotton or fleece counterparts, many riders see them as well worth the extra investment. If you haven't used wool under your tack before, you may not understand this. However, it's definitely worth a few minutes of investigation before you make your next equipment purchase.

Types

The wool saddle pad comes in several different types. If you ride Western or live in that part of the United States, you may be most familiar with it in the form of a woolen blanket that can go under your saddle. These blankets are usually square and have brightly colored patterns woven into them. They are sometimes referred to as "Indian blankets," to distinguish them from a traditional saddle pad. While these are not generally the only form of padding that a rider will use under his equipment, they can help you get some of the benefits of the material while adding on the benefits of whatever padding you add to it.

If you ride in an English or Aussie saddle, you are probably more familiar with the wool saddle pad that has felt on the bottom and something fluffy, like fleece, on top. These pads are cut in a shape that contours the saddle and are usually white. The combination of materials allows riders to get the benefits of having wool up against their horse's skin while not compromising on the crisp look that English riders tend to value.

Each wool saddle pad can come with other features, too. One of the most common is a pad that provides slots where riders or trainers can insert other forms of padding, like closed or open-cell foam pieces. This allows the saddle pad to be custom fit for the animal and equipment, and permits riders to have both the benefits of wool and the benefits of these other sorts of padding. Pads or blankets with these modifications are usually the most expensive and are usually considered a custom design.

Advantages

A wool saddle pad has many advantages over its competition. While some of these may seem obvious, they are not all intuitive for everyone. Also, it's important to consider these things in total when purchasing a new piece of equipment.

One of the most highly-touted aspects of a wool saddle pad is that it keeps a horse cooler than any other type of material. The structure of wool is such that it is specifically designed to remove liquid, like sweat, from whatever surface it is on. Thus, it is the original sweat-wicking material. In fact, it actually works to draw the sweat off of the horse's back, leaving him even drier than many riders expect.

The fact that the wool saddle pad actually pulls sweat from the horse means that it helps him stay cool. Wicking sweat means that the material transfers heat, taking it from the horse and into the pad. And the material is structured in such a way that the heat, once transferred, dissipates in the pad. Thus, your wool pad will not trap heat and sweat against your horse's back. Surprisingly enough, many of the newer chemical compounds often used in pads and blankets do this. They actually contribute to your horse's heating problems rather than helping to relieve them. Both open and closed-cell foam suffers from this sort of problem, meaning that it should probably never be up against a horse's back.

Usually, the wool saddle pad is actually made from felt, which is compressed wool. This means that there are more actual fibers of the material in the pad than there would be if it was all natural. In addition, using felt makes wool easier to use, because it can be stitched and holds together better.

Because felt involves so many layers of wool melded tightly together, this type of wool saddle pad offers exceptional shock absorption and compression protection. Some would argue that one of the newer, high-tech materials, like neoprene, would work better than felt. However, some riders disagree with this, based on their experience with a felt saddle pad. In general, the consensus is that felt is very good at achieving these ends, though some horses with special needs may have to use other pads instead.

Because of a combination between its ability to wick sweat and absorb shock, the wool saddle pad is good at alleviating pressure points. It doesn't allow sweat to build up, so the saddle does not slide around on the horse's back. In addition, the animal does not have to take the brunt of the rider's weight with each step, so there's not as much pressure. This means that, even at places where the equipment may not fit perfectly, bruising, and therefore muscle soreness, will be lessened or even eliminated entirely.

These characteristics of the wool saddle pad mean that it is perfect for long days of riding. If you are going to be doing things with your horse like taking long trail rides, training several times a day, or otherwise using him hard, the least you can do is make sure that he won't suffer an injury to his back because of overuse. Utilizing wool can help you do that.

In addition, a wool saddle pad is great for daily use, even if each individual day is not full of especially hard riding. This piece of equipment can be used for years without any problems, unlike other saddle pads that break down when exposed, over and over, to horse sweat and the chemicals it contains. The natural fibers are designed to work with animal sweat, and so are resistant to being destroyed by it.

Finally, a wool saddle pad is exceptionally easy to clean. For day-to-day use, a rider needs only to brush his pad with a stiff brush, like one he might use on a horse. This will remove any stray horse hairs that get caught in it as well as work to keep it free from dust and other things that abound in stables. These pads are also machine washable, as long as riders are sure to use a gentle cycle, cold water and follow the individual manufacturer's instructions. Washed once every week or two, the wool saddle pad should last for years.

Purchasing Tips

If you think that a wool saddle pad might be for you, check one out at your local tack store. Most proprietors will be able to give you the most up-to-date news on using wool under your saddle, like which manufacturers you might want to consider and which types of pads might be best for you and your horse. If at all possible, try any equipment you're considering out before you buy it, though some stores will no longer allow you to do this.

Once you've found the wool saddle pad that will work for you, buy it in confidence. You have considered all the important aspects before you made your choice and have chosen what you think is best for you and your horse. Use your new equipment under your saddle happily, knowing you made a good purchase.