All About English Saddle Pads
English saddle pads are designed to create a protective barrier between the saddle and the horse's back. Saddle pads cushion the horse's back while you ride which prevents rubbing and absorbs sweat to protect the saddle. Typically, English saddle pads are made from cotton or polyester and they often have stuffing to add extra cushion. They are usually washable and very durable. English saddle pads come in a variety of styles, including half pads, close contact saddle pads, all-purpose saddle pads, and dressage pads.
Frequently Asked Questions About English Saddle Pads
What size English saddle pad do I need?
Most saddle pads only come in one size and are suitable for almost every size of English saddles. The one exception would be dressage saddles, which need longer saddle pads. If you are looking for a pad for a smaller saddle there may be smaller options, but buying a normal-sized English saddle pad will work fine. The saddle pad should stick out about 1”- 2” around every part of the saddle.
How long is an English saddle pad?
The standard length for all-purpose English saddle pads is 26”. However, if you are looking to get a dressage pad the length will be much longer to accommodate the longer flaps.
What kind of English saddle pad do I need?
This mostly depends on what you’ll be using the English saddle pad for. If you plan on using the pad for dressage, make sure you get a dressage pad. If you plan on riding in any other style of English saddle, most pads will work fine. If you need your English saddle pad for showing make sure you buy a pad that follows current show ring trends. Certain colors and styles look better in the show ring than others.