Saddle Pads

[What.R.U.Doin]

Looks like I am going to end up with a Tucker endurance, or a Circle Y Trail Gaiter saddle. They fit my horse, but what kind of pad should I be looking at for both comfort and fit for my horse, as well as ease of care and ability to keep clean? I tend to go to felt when I was showing, but the hair accumulates, gets hard and isn’t to clean. I’ve used neoprene, but heat builds and burns hair off.

I’d like to be able to wash it a time or two a month or more if needed, but I’d also like it to protect his back, since we’re planning to camp and do all day trail rides. Not to mention, I’m not a featherweight, hanging around 170 at the moment.

What say you?

[Guilherme]

Sometimes that which is old is new again!

Try this:

https://sreinhold.wordpress.com/2009/12/15/which-saddle-pad-is-best-is-there-a-right-answer/

I’ve used this for more than a decade now and it really works well. No sore backs and reasonably priced.

You can buy military blankets from various vendors for various eras and armies. Or you can get a good wool blanket from somebody like Pendelton (even better if they have a outlet store near you and you can get a “second”). Done correctly you six layers of wool to absorb impact and those same layers also absorb lateral movement. What’s not the like!!!

G.

[What.R.U.Doin]

@Guilherme interesting! Do you have any photos of you using it? Is there a certain size blanket needed? Assuming 100% wool is best? I had never heard of this.

[Guilherme]

If you go here you’ll see an example of a reproduction of the M1908 cavalry era blanket that was used until 1948. http://onlinemilitaria.net/products/3028-US-M1908-Saddle-Blanket-new/?bc=no The Civil War era blanket was 84 x 72 and the '08 was slightly larger, IIRC. A Pendelton twin is 66 x 90, so it would be very close.

My photo collection is pretty sparse on blanket photos. I have precisely one of me and a few from older sources or modern competitions.

Attached is a good one that was sent to me by a friend. You can see the general fit under a McClellan saddle with saddle bags.

http://s784.photobucket.com/user/Smile225/media/Bigbear02-1a_zpsxqyl8dnr.jpg.html?sort=3&o=0

I found precisely ONE photo of myself using the folded blanket. Most are from competitions where I use a more formal pad.

http://s784.photobucket.com/user/Smile225/media/Occupation%20of%20Vera%20Cruz%20%20Small%201914_zpsx6awisk6.jpg.html?sort=3&o=12

During formal competitions during the Cavalry era the blanket under the saddle was routinely covered by a shabraque to give a more formal appearance.

If you trail ride you can use it as a “rug” if you modify it with some sort of attachment system. That system would have to be removable when the blanket is re-folded.

You can spend a LOT of money on saddle pads and not be satisfied. I’ve found the blanket folded cavalry style is a very effective solution.

G.

[Palm_Beach]

I use a 3/8" felt pad under a simple saddle blanket. These are washable - some hair will cling, but you will get the sweat and dirt out:

http://www.sstack.com/product/dura-tech-miracle-felt-liner-pad/

I’ve been using them for years, never any sore backs despite long show days or trail rides.

[AshleyandAnnabel]

I have a Tucker Endurance saddle and Tucker likes to pair their saddles with 5 Star Equine which are made of virgin wool. However, I will be selling mine soon (I have the “Endurance”). The cleaning for this pad is not practical for me. It requires you to hang it up, curry it, spray it with a hose, use horse shampoo, and hang dry. If you don’t keep it clean, the sweat/dirt/hair build up could cause rubs. I just want a pad I can throw in the wash. I’m switching to Jen X Equine pads after a referral from a fellow endurance rider. These pads are more gorgeous in person and are made of fleece on the bottom and seem to be very comfortable for the horse. I’m also a sucker for her Pendleton pads so I will be spending a boat load on a couple of those.

[SorrelGelding1]

I absolutely love my 5 star padI won’t ride in anything but wool. It wicks away sweat, helping to keep the horse cool. I also like the varieties in thickness. It helps distribute the weight of the saddle and rider. Maybe it’s wishful thinking, but I think it helps with fighting soreness. After I started using it my horses seem to be more comfortable. When I need to clean it I take them to the car wash and hang them up in the sun to dry. I’ve had my t star pad for going on 5 years and it’s still going strong.

[AKB]

I have a horse with very sensitive skin. Any seam on the pad or irregularity will give him bumps. I use a Fleeceworks pad. The natural sheepskin washes in my washing machine and keeps his skin clear.