Do's and Don'ts of Saddle Pads - courtesy of SaddleFit4Life®

There is a myriad of saddle pads on the market- each with multiple uses (heat-deflecting, sweat-absorbing, pressure-distributing, saddle-balancing, rider-cushioning, etc.). The original use of the saddle pad was a thin interface between saddle and horse to keep sweat off the leather . A well fitted saddle should not need a pad of any kind. Pads generate much revenue in the industry likely because there are many badly fitting saddles; pads are seen as a band-aid solution for poor fit (even new saddles come with ‘shimmable’ pads). Saddle pads and shims should be only used as an interim fit solution, if their use does not impact the gullet angle and width or impact the gullet channel freedom for the spine.
The function of the saddle pad is based partly on the style of saddle:
1. Western saddle (military/army/packing) where the saddle tree is in direct contact with the horse’s back. Saddle pads are necessary to keep the tree from direct contact with the horse’s back. Originally, rolled wool blankets were folded and under the saddles, or felt pads were used.
2. Saddles with fairly flat saddle trees, attached panels containing flocking made of wool, felt, rubber, air, or a synthetic wool mix. These saddles do not need any type of pad IF they fit properly (pads can be used temporarily to assist in proper fit)
Saddle pads should:
- lie flat and without folds under the saddle
- have a seam along the center with a topline following the curve of the horse’s back (with a wither relief shape at the front)
- be adjusted into the saddle gullet channel at both the pommel and the cantle to avoid pulling and pressure over the wither
- be made of natural (cotton or wool) rather than man-made fibers
- provide protection from rub marks arising from dirt or sweat
- protect the saddle leather from the horse’s sweat
- be washed regularly (dirt causes rub marks and pressure points on your horse’s skin)
- Orthopaedic pads (gel or memory foam) should be covered by natural fibres, or with state-of-the-art heat and sweat absorbing technology. Quilted pads should have nylon based ‘wool’ in their fillings (as foam disintegrates quickly during regular washing)
Saddle pads should not:
- interfere with the width of the gullet channel (thus pinching the spinal vertebrae and dorsal ligament system)
- ‘pull’ or pinch over the wither area
- change the three-dimensional saddle support area of the horse (negating saddle fitting work)
- be too thick - in effect narrowing the width of the gullet and cause pinching
- not impact the fit of a properly adjusted saddle
- be washed with fabric softener or strong detergent to avoid sensitivity reactions to the chemicals
Less is more: using more than one pad (cotton pad, wool/felt pad and gel pad all together) causes instability in your saddle position and balance and sits the rider further away from the horse. If multiple pads seem necessary, likely there is a saddle fit issue. Even the best saddle pad in the world is not a good substitute for regular saddle fit adjustments. Make sure to bring along your saddle pad when saddle fit is checked in a saddle fit evaluation.
Jochen Schleese is author of ‘Suffering in Silence - The Saddle Fit Link to Physical and Psychological Trauma in Horses’ (Trafalgar Books 2013, 2015, 2017). Find solutions for saddle fit issues through Saddlefit 4 Life education. www.Saddlefit4l... www.SaddlesforW... 800-225-2242 © Saddlefit4Life 2017. All Rights Reserved.
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