When you ride English, choosing a saddle pad is reduced to the basic task of choosing a color.
It's that simple.
But western saddle pads are a whole different story.
There are orthopedic pads, pads with inserts, foam, wool felt, fleece, neoprene and more.
Varying thicknesses and combination's of the various materials used to make the pads only adds to the confusion.
You hate to waste money on an expensive pad, so here are some tips on how to choose the best one.
When putting a saddle pad on your horse and then going for a ride, the best thing that can happen is you pull it off and the whole back is wet with sweat without any dry spots.
This means the pressure is being applied evenly and the sweat glands are being allowed to work properly.
If you see dry spots, then those areas are getting too much pressure and eventually the tissue in those spots will die if you don't correct the problem.
Try using a thinner pad, and if that doesn't work you may need a new saddle.
Don't worry though, if your horse's spine is dry when you pull off the saddle pad after a ride.
This means air was flowing across the gullet as it is intended to do.
This is how her back stays cool while you're working her out.
Before you buy an expensive saddle pad, try a generic wool felt saddle blanket first.
Those have been around for a long time for good reason.
They work great most of the time if your saddle fits properly.
Get your horse nice and sweaty on a fast trail ride and see how he acts.
If he doesn't seem to be uncomfortable and his back is completely wet when you're done with no areas of dryness, then that wool pad is sufficient.
A saddle pad can never make a poorly-fitting saddle fit right, and that's where it gets confusing when trying to choose a saddle pad.
It is meant to diffuse heat and keep sweat away from your saddle so it will last longer.
That's all it was meant to do, so if you find it's not "fixing" a problem, then the real solution is to get a better-fitting saddle.
It's that simple.
But western saddle pads are a whole different story.
There are orthopedic pads, pads with inserts, foam, wool felt, fleece, neoprene and more.
Varying thicknesses and combination's of the various materials used to make the pads only adds to the confusion.
You hate to waste money on an expensive pad, so here are some tips on how to choose the best one.
When putting a saddle pad on your horse and then going for a ride, the best thing that can happen is you pull it off and the whole back is wet with sweat without any dry spots.
This means the pressure is being applied evenly and the sweat glands are being allowed to work properly.
If you see dry spots, then those areas are getting too much pressure and eventually the tissue in those spots will die if you don't correct the problem.
Try using a thinner pad, and if that doesn't work you may need a new saddle.
Don't worry though, if your horse's spine is dry when you pull off the saddle pad after a ride.
This means air was flowing across the gullet as it is intended to do.
This is how her back stays cool while you're working her out.
Before you buy an expensive saddle pad, try a generic wool felt saddle blanket first.
Those have been around for a long time for good reason.
They work great most of the time if your saddle fits properly.
Get your horse nice and sweaty on a fast trail ride and see how he acts.
If he doesn't seem to be uncomfortable and his back is completely wet when you're done with no areas of dryness, then that wool pad is sufficient.
A saddle pad can never make a poorly-fitting saddle fit right, and that's where it gets confusing when trying to choose a saddle pad.
It is meant to diffuse heat and keep sweat away from your saddle so it will last longer.
That's all it was meant to do, so if you find it's not "fixing" a problem, then the real solution is to get a better-fitting saddle.