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Choosing the Best Saddle Pad for Your Horse
Saddle pads are an important piece of equipment that are essential to protecting your horse's back from the saddle. Saddle pads are designed to provide cushion and absorb sweat to protect your saddle. There are many kinds of saddle pads that have specialized uses but all saddle pads can be broken up into two categories: Western saddle pads and English saddle pads.
These pads are designed to be used on two very different kinds of saddles. Western pads are often thicker and larger, while English pads are thinner and more contoured. Both the English and western disciplines have saddle pads specially designed to stand out in the show ring or match current show trends. Be sure to choose a saddle pad that is the right size for your saddle, right for your horse, and matches your discipline.
Frequently Asked Questions About Saddle Pads
What are the types of saddle pads?
There are four main types of saddle pads: Western pads, English pads, correction pads, and bareback pads. All these pads include various shapes and styles that depend on your discipline and style.
What type of saddle pad should I use?
You should use saddle pads that match your discipline. You will use a different pad depending on the type of saddle you ride in. Your pad should provide enough cushion and fit your saddle. If you are showing, it may also be good to purchase show saddle pads as they can help you stand out in the show ring.
What is the best thickness for a saddle pad?
There is no specified thickness for English pads, but the pad should be thick enough to keep your horse comfortable. Western pads should be at least ⅞” thick.
How much longer should a saddle pad be than the saddle?
Saddle pads should be at least 1” longer than the saddle at every point.
What saddle pad size should I choose?
There is usually only one size for saddle pads, but if you have a few size options measure your saddle and make sure the saddle pad will stick out at least 1” at every point. If you are between sizes it is always better to size up. Having a saddle pad that is too big is rarely detrimental to the horse while having a saddle pad that is too small can cause discomfort.