How to clean felt saddle pad?

[AllWeatherGal]

A very thick (1" +) felt saddle pad came with my horse’s custom endurance saddle. It’s been sitting around collecting dirt, dust and grime for a couple of years in a storage tack room.

Advice on how to clean this pad? I’m at a barn that takes cleanliness VERY seriously and would like to be able to use the pad made for the saddle.

TIA.

[GallopingGrape]

Unless its crusted with grime, sweat and hair, you dont want to wash your felt pad to offen. A good rub with a curry brush to loosen the hair, and a damp sponge (no soap) for any dirt spots. If this is done after every ride, it will stay in good shape. If its crusty and filthy, you can hose it off, starting from the middle of the pad and work your way out. Hand to dry on a fence rail (do not lay flat, it will trap the water and dirt… let is all drain away from the center of the pad.

I try to avoid ever washing my felt pads, they last so much longer.

[AllWeatherGal]

[QUOTE=GallopingGrape;5588775]
Unless its crusted with grime, sweat and hair, you dont want to wash your felt pad to offen. <snip>
I try to avoid ever washing my felt pads, they last so much longer.[/QUOTE]

Thanks so much for your guidance GG, it’s exactly what I needed. The pad is crusty and this is the first time in 5 years the pad will have been washed, so I think I’m on track

Again, thank you for the explicit washing instructions.

[GallopingGrape]

I sometimes put a weee thin felt pad under my good pads to keep them clean. They have less than 1/4" thick pads that can simply be tossed out at the end of the season, because they are cheap. Keeps your expensive pad looking (and smelling) new!