I am shopping for a cushier dressage saddle pad for my very high withered ride. No extra room for fleece or a half pad underneath saddle, so I’m looking for a little more cushion than the average cotton pad. There are some fancy (and pricey) new options out there but want to make sure I spend money on something that will last and be comfortable for the horse. Thanks in advance.
I’ve got Thinline pads, which are basically nice quality quilted pads with Thinline applied to the part that will rest under the saddle panels.
They’ve held up very well, and launder nicely (mine are black, for everyday use), IME. Worth the money.
For my smaller horse, I went with the shaped dressage version of this pad (so hard to find a decent shaped pad these days), which doesn’t overwhelm him.
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the LeMieux Loire saddle pad is very cushy and has foam in side it. And very pretty to boot. Check it out at ridingwarehouse.com
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I have a saddle pad (and matching polo wrap) addiction and my absolute favorite pads are PS of Sweden. I’ve tried ES Stockholm, Lemieux, back on track, thinline, and all the generic brands sold at SP and Dover and hands down PS of Sweden are the best. They’re thick enough that I feel they protect my horses back, but she has a custom saddle so I can’t do too much padding or it won’t be the perfect fit. They don’t slip around and they don’t have the annoying Velcro straps. They stay in place so well that it I pull the wither end of the saddle pad up into the channel of my saddle, it does not ever slip back down to the withers. I’ve had some for a couple years and they still look brand new. 10/10 recommend. Oh and they also wick the moisture, dry fast, and don’t bunch up because they’re nice and sturdy- even after washing!
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I have an Acavello pad that goes between saddle and pad. I know you said there is no room but this is quite thin and VERY squishy. Mine is a half pad but they also make full pads. I like it much more than the thinlines I used to use.
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I have a saddle pad hoarding problem but despite my collection, I generally use the same 2 pads every day. They are the Ogilvy dressage pads that have the perfect “thin but cushy” top section. The ones I have currently are about 3 years old now and still wash up beautifully despite daily use.
https://www.ogilvyequestrian.com/en/store/product/dressage-friction-free-pad
Mine are just plain white but they do offer all sorts of options for custom trim, piping, etc.
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The mesh pads are pretty cushy as well, and theoretically more breathable for summer. The cotton LM pads are not thick.
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Kinda depends on what kind cushion you want. Do you mean cushion for support or give? Foam core pads will condense with weight but are better paired with half pads if you need to add those for your saddle. Felt /wool core pads provide cushion and don’t condense and squish but are heavier . Look for pads that are cut with a rise at the whither. This will help reduce the pad dropping down with work in higher withered horses
my favourite pad is is a pacific rim international pad with felt core (equu felt type). Works really well for my mare who has big wide tall withers. They sell both the felt a foam types
other pads my dinosaur likes are the oligvy baby pads with a prolite half pad and the BR that have the 300g fill for whatever reasons.
happy shopping!
These are my favorite too. I’m not sure I would call them “cushy” (I would actually say “stiff,” in a good way) but they’re much more substantial than the standard pad, so they offer support and don’t shift around or wrinkle. They’re great if you need more than a regular saddle pad but don’t have room for a half-pad. They hold up really well too. And they come in some very nice colors! I bought a few from the Cheshire Horse in the fall. I wish I could find them in close contact or all-purpose shape for my jumping saddle.
