"Best" endurance saddle pad

[sign_of_Grace]

I know there will be differing opinions, hence the best in quotations.

I am only doing LD’s right now with hopes of moving to 50’s within 6 months. Nothing more than 50’s with this particular horse.

I ride him in my Albion dressage saddle, however would like something more than just his cotton pad. I bought a Mattes correction half-pad at the direction of a saddle fitter, however this has caused white hairs–basically right under my thigh area.

Ok, realizing I just added in saddle fit as a potential problem, let’s just say for argument sake that the saddle is a perfect fit ( I know that a proper fitting saddle is what is needed and a pad can’t fix an ill fitting saddle, especially for distance, etc, etc).

What types of pads are you guys using? Anyone using wool back? What types are best for a dressage saddle as opposed to an endurance saddle?

[Auventera_Two]

What’s “best” is whatever works the best for the horse, the saddle, the rider’s weight, and the situation, but…

For a few years now I have used a Toklat Woolback with ultracell inserts. I finally this year had to toss out the inserts and I cut Cashel foam inserts for it instead. I also use 1/4" felt inserts in addition to the foam for long rides. But then I ride treeless. You would not need that much padding.

The best name brands for long distance riding as far as I am aware are Skito, Equalizer, Grandeur, HAF, etc…or any type of pad that provides good cushioning, moisture wicking, and keeps the back cool and comfortable. I prefer wool myself to any type of synthetic or neoprene which I do not care for and don’t use.

[Lieselotte]

I really like both of the Fleeceworks pads I use:

Merino wool (FWES-3)
http://www.fleeceworks.com/products/western-endurance.html#
and

Real sheepskin (FWES-1)
http://www.trumbullmtn.com/store/saddle-pads/endurance/fleeceworks/

They fit my more dressage-style endurance saddle really well (a Frank Baines Enduro) and are holding up very well with all the use and washing.
I also really like how well they absorb sweat and keep my mare’s back cool. And our very strict saddlefitter approves, phew

[ponygrl25]

I really love my Toklat Woolback and Coolback pads. Depending on which horse/saddle combo, I use a Thinline pad or a Supracor endurance pad on top. I have 2 Skito pads that no longer have the Skito inserts, so I can’t really say about those. I do really like the pads themselves and have added Cashel foam to one and woolfelt to the other one. I like the way the fit my endurance saddle. They are both the shape/size for a Bob Marshall Sport Saddle, but they have lots of different shapes/sizes.

I like my Thinline pad when I don’t need much padding. I use my Supracor pad on my older swaybacked mare and and after a winter off, on my arab gelding, until he muscles up.

I was lucky to find all of these pads used on ebay, at tack swaps and through friends who no longer used them. Keep your eyes open and you never know where you might come across one somewhere. Good Luck