In this article, we are going to discuss about best horse saddle pads available in market. People who used to think horse riding was an easy hobby to pursue would know by now how much effort is involved in only getting the equipment right. Since we have covered all the must-haves like saddles, helmets, etc., we have decided to take things up a notch by gradually prolonging this list of “what to do to become a pro at horse keeping?”
For these reasons, we bring to you another product that people often deem excessive and needless, but it proves its worth and value over time. Saddle pads will be the talk of today which leads us to the most important query in readers’ minds: what is this thing, and why do we need it?
Here is the answer to your first question. Saddle pads are an additional layer placed on top of the saddles for the rider’s comfort or between the horse and saddle if the horse is experiencing welts and chafing from the rough saddle, made of comfortable material (mostly wool, foam, gel packs, felts, etc.). They serve three major purposes:
- Comfort for both the rider and the horse by delivering a cushioning effect, preventing chafing, and absorbing some of the harsh impacts and heftiness of the saddle.
- Protection to the saddle by absorbing sweat and moisture from the horse so the saddle body lasts long. This also makes cleaning the fleece(that underlines the saddle) much easier.
- Adornment of the horse with colorful saddle pads for pleasing aesthetics.
With that aside, let’s take you through our collection of go-to saddle pad options.
1- Weaver Leather Gel Seat pad:
Weaver Leather is a trustworthy brand in terms of bringing out the best leather and nylon goods, catering to equines, livestock, pets, arborists, etc. Some of the features of this saddle pad include:
Material:
The black mesh cover is breathable, washable, and quick-drying which makes it perfectly reliable and durable.
Gel-filling:
The shock-absorbing gel is perfect to prolong hours on the saddle. The gel-based contours and inserts relieve pressure points and provide the utmost comfort to the rider and the horse.
Medical benefits:
This saddle is perfect for preventing saddle sores acquired from prolonged riding on sturdy saddles. When placed under the saddles, they provide a cushioning effect to the horse’s backs and relieve them of any chances of chafing or scratching and also curtains harsh impacts from the weight of the overlying saddle.
Webbed Strapping:
Although the pad can do without straps since it is very stable and adheres quite firmly, there are additional straps in the packaging to harness the pad with the horn and behind the seat to dismiss all chances of it slipping off.
Lightweight:
Weighing a striking 0.9 kilograms, this pad is extremely portable and travel-friendly. It can be mounted and dismounted fairly easily.
Some other pros and cons are down below:
Pros:
- Suitable for most western saddles
- Gel relieves pressure points
- Excellent for back pain
- The stretchy strap allows it to fit different sizes
- Minimizes saddle sores
- Breathable material
- Heat-resistant cover
- Hand washable
- Quick-drying
- Shock absorbing design
- Webbing straps prevent slipping around
- Lightweight
Cons:
- Prone to thawing and twisting off under extremely high temperatures.
- Not very thick
2- Weaver Leather Wool blend saddle pad:
Another product from the same brand is this wool-blend pad that is more on the heavier side.
Its characteristics include:
Material:
The manufacturing company has incorporated high-quality wool-blend felt and leather (for the spine and contours) to come up with this innovative concoction that screams durability and resilience.
Stable and fit:
The unique contour and streamlined shape of the pad make it fit the horseback like a glove despite being sturdy and inflexible to some extent. The contouring also helps to keep the weight of the saddle and the road off the pressure points. In other words, this saddle pad is meant to distribute weight evenly.
Moisture-absorbent:
The wool is best known for absorbing all the horse’s sweat and liquids. This is designed to maintain a uniform temperature and keep the composure of the horse. Sweaty friction can lead to scratching and damage to the horse skin resulting in blisters and sores.
Design and outlook:
This feature is not a part of a lot of options out there which is what makes this saddle pad a pet favorite. The tan exterior completes the rugged look that every horse rider goes for. It upswings the animal’s beauty ten folds.
Some more positive and negative aspects are jotted down below.
Pros:
- Moisture-wicking pad
- Absorbs sweat well
- Smooth and non-chafing exterior
- Contoured to keep weight off pressure points
- Durable
- Streamlined to fit better
- An inch thick and incredibly dense
- Prevents pressure marks
- Affordable
- Stabilizes the saddle
- The tan hue has pleasing aesthetics
Cons:
- It is a bit heavy
- not flexible or cushioning
3- 5 Star Equine Saddle Pad:
Developed through various intensive field tests and scientific research, the 5-star equine saddle pads prioritize horses’ safety and benefit in all respects.
Material:
This squishy soft pad is made out of durable and long-lasting 100- percent virgin wool felt. The design is such that clean-up is extremely hassle-free and there is zero heat buildup caused by friction, even after hours and hours of continuous riding.
Optimal Stability:
Even without the need for cinching and harness, the pad is fairly stable and does not move around during rides. At the same time, the weight is distributed evenly throughout, keeping weight transmission off pressure points.
Perfectly contoured:
The fit is guaranteed by the incredibly smart contoured shape of the pad, allowing it to conform to all horse breeds with the same efficiency.
Impact absorption:
Like the aforementioned options, this one also focuses primarily on keeping the rider and the animal safe by toning down harsh impacts, which might lead to blisters, sores, chafing, or scratching.
Additional inserts:
The package comes with an astonishing little gift for the users i.e. A sponge cleaner to scrub off the day’s dirt and gunk. This is another means of manageable maintenance, paving way for further convenience of the buyers.
Some other features are:
Pros:
- Soft and cushioning material
- Durable
- Perfectly contoured
- Minimal slippage
- Less cinching required
- 100 percent virgin wool used in making
- Easy cleanup
- Impact absorptive design
- Even weight distribution
- Relieves pressure points
- prevents Saddle sores and chafing
- Free sponge cleaner included in the package
- Thick and sturdy
Cons:
- A bit heavy
4- Weaver Leather Synergy Saddle pad:
Out of all of the products mentioned here, this one takes the cake with its unique exterior and unusual design. It comes out in a variety of materials, colors, and textures giving the buyers a wide spectrum of options to choose from. Some of its renowned characteristics include:
Material options:
The synergy saddle pad has a tightly woven, rugged 100 percent wool topper with a premium tear leather design. Weaver leather offers three combinations to choose from:
- wool blend felt liner
- Orthopedic felt liner
- Merino wool fleece liner
All of them have equally alleviating effects in the provision of relief and comfort to the animal.
Color Range:
Not many saddle pads have this many color options available. Therefore, this specific product is the go-to for people who love to adorn their animals with suiting embellishments. The colors and designs include:
- charcoal/turquoise
- Cream/turquoise
- Black/red clay
- Navy/baltic
Well-ventilated:
The material is fairly breathable and does not heat up by the constant rubbing and friction against the skin of the horse. The foam filling maximizes airflow. It pulls away in case the horse is sweating profusely, which is done to ensure even cooling, especially when the animal is overworked.
Stability and conformity:
The contoured exterior is designed to fit a vast category of various horse breeds like a glove. The center of the pad is kept lifted into the saddle gullet for airflow. A perfect fit means that no cinching is required to keep the pad in place.
Lightweight:
It weighs only 3 kilograms, making it portable and manageable. The mounting and dismounting become a child’s play and it also does not overburden the animal.
Compression and Moisture resistance:
Meticulously crafted from the finest material, the foam absorbs 90 percent of the shocks and impacts while riding so that the rider remains comfortable throughout the ride. The merino wool wicks away moisture and is reliable for horses with sensitive skins and prone to sores and chafing.
Some other features include:
Pros:
- A range of colors and designs is available
- Soft and fluffy material
- Contoured to fit better
- Minimal slippage
- Made of 100 percent wool
- Breathable and well-ventilated
- Impact-absorbing build
- The foams do not deform
- Long-lasting and durable
- Compression resistant
- Sweat absorbent
- Does not allow chafing of horseback
- Easy to clean
Cons:
- a bit heavy
5- ECP Equine Saddle pad:
This lightweight quilted pad is extremely budget-friendly and becomes the animal’s source of comfort at the very first use. Some of its distinguishing features include:
Construct:
The material is well-thought-of and has foam inserts in the four pockets that can be adjusted around. The fabric absorbs moisture and remains resilient under all tests of weather. At the same time, it has no harsh undertone and is surprisingly gentle on the skin.
Even insulation:
The material is designed keeping in perspective the principle of proper ventilation and optimal breathability. This is ensured by thermal regulation which does not allow friction to produce excessive heat that might irritate the animal or cause sores and blisters on the riders’ thighs. Comfort is taken into consideration by making the underlining with brushed flannel which also makes it extra plush and squishy.
Strapping:
The problem with lightweight gear is that it is vulnerable to moving and slipping around. This risk is reduced to a bare minimum by two billet straps that firmly harness the pad to the saddle and the animal.
Color options:
The saddle pads are available in four striking colors that go well with the whole rugged vibe.
- black
- Brown
- Midnight blue
- Rose
For a more feminine touch, blue and rose are recommended.
Pressure point customization:
The foam can be shimmied around and adjusted to wherever optimal for the horse and the rider. This implies that pressure points can be eliminated by switching up the memory foam shims.
Pros:
- A range of colors to choose from
- Adjustable foam shims to meet the fluctuating demands of the users
- Breathable material
- Moisture absorbent
- Insulating material does not allow the pad to get too hot or cold
- The billet straps provide an excellent harness
- Washable material
- Ultra-plush
- Flannel underside
- Includes four pockets
- The best remedy for sore points
- Lightweight
Cons:
- The foam needs to be removed before washing
6- Dover Saddlery Quilted Saddle Pad:
Dover Saddlery specializes in quality products of equestrianism. Some of the features of these saddle pads worth mentioning include:
Lightweight:
The net weight is shockingly 0.9 kilos which are legitimate as light as a feather. Being lightweight simply implies that maintenance, portability, and cleaning the saddle is a single-handed task and requires minimal effort for the buyer.
Color options:
This product comes in six contrasting shades:
- black
- Navy
- Burgundy
- White
- Hunter
- Royal blue
So the color range touches all demands from femininity to professionalism and is a fit for all age groups too.
Material and construction:
The build comprises cotton with polyfill (5 mm foam with 250-gram polyfill), gentle to the animal, well-padded, and even has a striking diamond texture throughout its exterior. All these factors promise outstanding durability and sturdiness.
Animal’s comfort above all:
The saddle pads mitigate high withers and sore spots of the animal while protecting the saddle against friction at the same time.
Some pros and cons are listed below.
Pros:
- The polyester provides optimal cushioning
- Multiple colors available
- Durable
- Well-padded
- The diamond pattern gives a classy outlook
- breathable
- 100- percent cotton exterior
- prevent chafing and saddle sores
- Eliminates pressure points created by saddles
- Lightweight
Cons:
- Poor contouring
Buying Guide:
Though all aspects are elucidated in all the gory details, we understand if our readers are still confused about whether their choice is the best one. No worries, the buying guide is here for the rescue.
Material and build:
We have shared three different combinations i.e.
- cotton/gel
- Cotton/polyfill
- Wool/leather
Deciding upon one material solely depends on your and the animal’s demands. If a saddle pad is meant to serve the purpose of only being therapeutic and alleviating for the horse and rider, it is better to stick to gel and polyfill options. But if ornamentation and aesthetics are also a factor worth considering, then wool options offer a lot more designs and prints.
Lightweight:
Heavier saddle pads are another hassle to mount, dismount and clean afterward. It is better to go for pads weighing below 2 kgs. But in exclusive cases where the animal is in dire need of heavy cushioning or the rider suffers from drastic saddle sores, you can look for heavier alternatives since they offer greater cushioning.
Conformation and fitting:
It is wise to do a background check on the size of your horse and the fitting of the kind of pad you are interested in buying. Strapped pads are henceforth preferred. The saddle pads also need to be contoured to fit the horseback better. Otherwise, it is going to be yet another impediment to the poor animal.
Shock-absorbent design:
The material needs to be well-ventilated, breathable, washable, moldable, alleviating but most importantly it needs to be able to mitigate the impacts of a bumpy ride.
Health benefits:
Saddle sores, scratching, chafing, pressure points, irritation, rigid neck, and spine, etc. are some of the common problems faced by the animal and the rider. Manufacturers primarily focus on these parameters while designing a good saddle pad. Make sure that you are getting the good end of the trade.
FAQs:
What are saddle pads?
A saddle pad is an additional lining either on top of the saddle or between the horse’s back and saddle.
Why do horses need saddle pads?
The primary purpose of a saddle pad is to absorb sweat and prevent damage to the saddle while protecting the horse from the harsh impacts of the saddle tree. Saddle pads also serve as an embellishment.
Are saddle pads necessary?
No. But it is always better to have all horse riding gear, especially for professional horse riders.
Why do some people layer multiple saddle pads?
Although unnecessary, folding saddle pads provide extra cushioning.
How does one know what size to get?
Saddle pads are usually a size bigger than the saddle. So knowing what size the saddle is, makes things easier.
Conclusion:
We are all aware of how much responsibility it is to treat animals the way they deserve. Animals benefit us in so many different ways that we can’t ever repay them. The least we can do is take care of their comfort and solace to make their lives just as convenient and enjoyable as ours is with them in it. This was our contribution to prioritizing your horse’s health and relief. Hurry and buy them saddle pads so the heavy saddles don’t scratch your thighs or their backs off. Peace.