Saddle pad for hacking a sweaty horse? Update post #20 :-)

[BeastieSlave]

This question isn’t technically about hunting, but since I spend most of my non-hunting riding time is spent on the trails, often for several hours at a time, it seemed like a question for this group!

I’ve got a lovely new (to me) saddle that fits my guy. That means I don’t need a correction pad and can ride with a single saddle pad. We’re in GA, and my TB is a pretty heavy sweater. In the past he’s done a number on my saddles by sweating through quilted pads. Even though I tried to be thorough with cleaning, the salt was hard to remove. My question is, does anyone have a favorite saddle pad that they really like? One that stays coolish and keeps sweat off your saddle? I’m wondering if there are fancy new fabrics I don’t know about or if I should go old-school and look at fleece or synthetic fleece for everyday riding.

[crosscreeksh]

I usually put a western blanket on my horse then my saddle and pad on top of that. The western blankets I use can be thrown in the wash and come out soft and absorbable. It keeps my fleece pad dry and clean. I can flip the blanket so it gets used for a couple of rides.

[gypsymare]

Check out the Dixie Midnight or Skito Dryback pads.

[SLW]

I use a Diamond Wood contour pad year round for riding. It protects the saddle and it’s comfortable for my horses.

[BeastieSlave]

Thanks!!
SLW, do you use the S’cooling pad or something else? It looks like there aren’t many options for english saddles.
gypsymare, that material looks interesting! Do you use those pads? It seems like that material might be scratchy for horse & saddle?

[gypsymare]

I use a HAF 8300 Endurance pad under my Stubben Roxane that is going on 13 years of heavy use. I haven’t used the DM pads but have heard mixed reviews. Some love them for endurance, some get rubs. I expect saddle fit has much to do with it. The Skito Dryback uses the material on top of the pad.

[kookicat]

Sheepskin or wool is my go to for a sweaty horse. I’d be wary of putting anything too thick under a saddle that fits well because it might make it pinch.

[BeastieSlave]

kookicat, that’s my worry exactly! I had a quilted pad and correction pad with the old saddle and they formed a sort of barrier - though the underside of the saddle was too often soaked and salty. I’d love to find something to create a sort of barrier for the saddle without pushing the sweat back onto my horse. The saddle fitter is coming to check the new saddle and I’ll see if she has any suggestions.

[Shagyas_Rock]

Wool or sheepskin. . . .

[Grasshopper]

Beastie–I’ve used and liked some of the Coolmax pads, but those seem to pull the sweat up (away from the horse, but would end up on your saddle). I agree with wool or sheepskin for best absorption. A few years ago I mulled over starting a custom wool felt saddle pad business–I realized I didn’t have time, but I still have some of the felt. Would be willing to mail you a piece of the 1/4" thick, cut roughly in a half pad shape, if you PM me your address. It’s unlikely to be super durable without additional reinforcement, but would let you figure out if that kind of solution might work, without spending $$$.

If you don’t want to try that route, what about an UltraThinline half pad? Those are not moisture permeable and are also thin enough they’re not supposed to change saddle fit significantly.

[ellevt]

I’d go with a sheepskin-lined pad (I have a Lettia one I like a lot), or a wool polo pad from The Tackeria or Tato’s

[mannulus]

I use a Thinline half pad and it does prevent sweat from getting to the panels, but it does nothing for the sweat flaps- for that, you’d probably want one of the contour pads.

Wool is also a good option. Haven’t used sheepskin so can’t comment on that, but wool is much more absorbent than a regular quilted saddle pad and is also easy to maintain- just throw it in the wash when it gets really grimy.

[BeastieSlave]

Grasshopper, I have actually looked at wool felt to make pads! I assumed that 3/8" or 1/2" would be what I needed. Have you used one of your 1/2" pads? mannulus, I looked at one of my friends’ Thinline pad and thought that could help, but agree it wouldn’t help the sweat panels. I’ll see what the saddle fitter says about wool fleece. It seems like that would be too thick. Buckshot, I’m intrigued! Who did you get your Cal Reis from and which ones did you get?

[Buckshot1]

I get my Cal Reis from the Australian supplier (I’m in Oz :))
I have dressage and jumping shaped ones for my various saddles. They’re a godsend as I don’t clip my horses in winter so they used to sweat up a storm, which would then take ages to dry, which is a PITA when it’s 8.30pm and freezing and you really, really just want to put the horse back in the paddock and go home already. I don’t have that problem anymore - they sweat along the girth but their backs stay nice and dry

[Weatherford]

Sheepskin! Absolutely. Been using it since my childhood (50-60’s) - my Mom always used them for hunting as well as hacking. Today’s 100% wool sheepskins are also washable and retain their shape far better than the ones we used as kids. However, the best thing to do with them is spray them after you ride, then curry them carefully, and hang them to dry.

They are expensive, but worth every cent!!!

[BeastieSlave]

I worry that the sheepskin and felt pads won’t dry between rides (%#@$ humidity!). I guess I’ll need several if I go that route! Is that what you do Weatherford?
Thanks Buckshot. I’ll reach out to stockists in GB if I decide to try one.

[right_horse_at_the_right_time]

This one from Shires! Saw it at Tri County Feed, a friend bought it and tried it out and gave it rave reviews.

I am ordering one! Comes in jumping, too!

http://www.ridingwarehouse.com/Shires_Air_Motion_Performance_All-Purpose_Saddle_Pad/descpage-SAMO.html

[BeastieSlave]

That looks like an inexpensive one to try! Thanks

[BeastieSlave]

Update! I bought one of the Shires Air Motion Performance Pads. When it came, I was doubtful that it would help because it’s kind of a crushy mesh material with very open weave. Turns out it really does keep my guy cooler!! That means there’s significantly less sweat (almost none where the pad is not directly under the saddle) and even more amazing is the fact that very little of that transfers to my saddle. I’m very happy. I’m waiting for the shaped pads to be in stock so I can buy one of those. I REALLY wish they came in white.

[right_horse_at_the_right_time]

@BeastieSlave

Update! I bought one of the Shires Air Motion Performance Pads. When it came, I was doubtful that it would help because it’s kind of a crushy mesh material with very open weave. Turns out it really does keep my guy cooler!! That means there’s significantly less sweat (almost none where the pad is not directly under the saddle) and even more amazing is the fact that very little of that transfers to my saddle. I’m very happy. I’m waiting for the shaped pads to be in stock so I can buy one of those. I REALLY wish they came in white.

Glad it works for you!! And it’s very reasonable :).