Horse Saddle Pad Features, Benefits and Design
The saddle pad started as a simple barrier between the horse’s back and the saddle to help keep the saddle clean and reduce chaffing to the horse. Since then the saddle pad has become more sophisticated and has become a technical piece of horse tack in its own right.
In their simplest form, saddle pads are created in a shape corresponding to the type of saddle they are used under. In their most technical form, the saddle pad can help fit a saddle or be a therapeutic treatment for the horse’s back.
In addition to keeping the saddle clean, saddle pads help protect the horse from saddle chaffing and help wick perspiration away from the horse’s skin. This wicking affect is often referred to as a breathable saddle pad.
Saddle pads come in a variety of materials. Quilted cotton is very common in English saddle pads. Common western saddle pads are often made of a wool felt top, leather trim and a felt or cotton underside.
Many saddle pads today have therapeutic properties to aid in relieving pressure points or absorbing shock. Common therapeutic materials are gel, foam, memory foam and even highly technical properties like ceramics. In addition to therapeutic materials, some saddle pads help the horse by allowing shims, correctly sized for the horse, to relieve pressure points or to raise the saddle to level.
With all the choices, styles and functions available in today’s saddle pads they have solidified their position as a key player in your horse’s performance.