Saddle-Pad Options, Pro & Con
There’s a lot to know about modern saddle pads. Our primer will help you narrow your choices.
Need a new saddle pad? The variety of choices available today can be overwhelming. For best decision-making, scan our key information, investigate the market yourself, then check with someone knowledgeable for advice before you make your final selection. (Good sources: Your trainer, a saddlefitting expert, or a veterinarian who rides.)
Key Issues
• Essentials. The main function of a pad is to assure the comfort of your horse by easing the compression and impact on his back, while providing cooling. Depending on features and materials, pads also can help prevent saddle slip and mitigate minor fit problems. (Saddle fit is always more important than pad type, however; don’t expect your pad to compensate for a poorly fitting saddle.) • Use. How you ride your horse affects what type of pad you need. Long trail rides in warm weather, for example, require a pad with good wicking action to cool your horse’s back. Running barrels, by contrast, requires a pad with reliable grip and good shock absorption. In general, short, easy rides of any type have fewer padding requirements than intense athletic endeavors. You may well opt to own more than one pad to meet all your needs. • Care. Pads vary widely in their care requirements (see box), and your climate will figure into the choice equation, too. For example, in a damp environment, a wool felt pad may never dry out completely and can harbor mildew and fungi.
Material Matters
• Wool. Both fleece and felt (compressed wool fibers) are time-honored options for good reason. Wool provides excellent cushioning that doesn’t “bottom out” (compress until shock absorption is lessened), and it wicks extremely well for maximum cooling. Wool is also expensive and, because it absorbs so much sweat, can be hard to dry. (Note: Not all “wool” pads are pure wool; if it matters to you, double- check contents.) • Synthetic fleece. Depending on type, synthetics may have some of the same qualities of wool fleece at a lighter weight and reduced price; they’re also easy to launder. • Closed-cell foam. Sometimes called neoprene, this foam bounces back immediately and can be squishy or firm depending on density. It resists pressure, distributes weight, and is non-slip, though doesn’t wick or absorb sweat. It’s usually used in thin layers (¾-inch or less). • Open- cell foam. Both softer and more flexible than closed- cell, it’s the standard for chairs and regular foam mattresses. It breathes and conforms to the shape of your horse’s back, with cushioning that gives and bounces back. It can, however, bottom out under pressure, depending on thickness, and tends to hold heat. • Memory foam. Used in Tempur- pedic mattresses, it’s similar to open- cell foam in function and use, only slower to compress and bounce back. Heat causes it to soften, and it can also bottom out under too much pressure. • Supracor. A space-age honeycomb material used in hospitals to prevent bedsores, it breathes and cushions well, but is relatively expensive. • Gel, air bladders. Some pads use gel inserts or air bladders to create specialized types of cushioning for high- performance needs. Depending on construction, the plastic bladders that contain the gel or air don’t breathe and can trap heat, and the squishiness of the gel/air can also affect stability. As with all pad options, get an expert’s input.