Originally rode English for years, switching to western for trail.
Cinch: mohair or fleece? I’m not fond of neoprene, I’ve used it on English saddles in the past. But I could put a fleece cover on one.
Saddle pad: felt? wool? I don’t know much about felt.
I think that’s it, thanks!
I find mohair to be the best choice for my situation.
I have all different kinds of pads. Mostly, I use one that is a wool Navajo top with a felt sewn to the bottom. Love the Tolklat woolback pads, too. I have a couple that are over 20 years old, and STILL in wonderful shape.
I find mohair to be the best choice for my situation.
I have all different kinds of pads. Mostly, I use one that is a wool Navajo top with a felt sewn to the bottom. Love the Tolklat woolback pads, too. I have a couple that are over 20 years old, and STILL in wonderful shape.
Cinch: depends on your preference. I had good luck with a mohair string girth. How heavy of a western saddle will you use? The western girths are wider than traditional English girths. I believe because the heavier saddle, with a rider leaning over to do work, requires a grippier girth. The string has grip but still allows plenty of breathing room for long rides. Mohair is strong but doesn’t chafe easily.
I have mohair string. Pads, the choices are many. I have a 5 Star and Diamond Wool that I like.
Professional’s Choice saddle pads are about the best you can get. Stylish and very well made. They last forever.
Cinches, again I have a Prof Choice, but it is neoprene. I don’t care for the mohair look but not sure of it’s functionality.
I use wool felt and have never had a rub or problem, and you can throw them in the wash:
I had a rub with this one:
http://www.sstack.com/Western_Saddles_Girths/Weaver-Air-Flex-Straight-Girth/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=paid_search&utm_campaign=paid_search_google_pla&scid=scplp711895&sc_intid=32452&gclid=CO_UiLvNgNICFdqNswodzhEBQA
I use all natural fibers because I have had a couple horses who were allergic to synthetics, so mohair and wool. I also like the wool pads because they breathe and resist slippage. My favorite is the 5-Star pad. Pricey, but worth it to me. I use a wool blanket under it to keep it clean (I hate to try and wash thick pads).
Have you tried the Weaver air ride cinch? Hands down the best I have owned, I will never buy a different type. Neoprene has rubbed my mare raw, but this cinch never has.
The air ride is what rubbed my horse…
I have “The Endurance” by 5 Star Equine which has top of the line saddle pads. It’s 100% virgin felt wool. It comes with a hefty price but a good saddle pad is almost as important as the saddle when it comes to endurance riding. Mine was close to $300 as I got it in hot pink with hot pink leopard horse hair where the cinch goes.
I like Mohair, it is easy to clean and dries out super fast. My current girth has a sheepskin backing, and takes a long time to dry out if Sydney gets super sweaty.
I had a 5 Star and I liked it pretty good, but your saddle has to be a perfect fit and your horse has to have a pretty standard back. For my mare with her hollows behind her shoulder blades it didn’t work very well. I got a CSI pad and has been amazing. The hollows behind my mare’s withers are filling in for the first time since I have owned her.
I like the saddle, what type is it? I have a navy blue theme. 
I ended up getting a Toklat woolback cinch and picked a wool saddle pad from the western section at a local store. I decided to say away from mohair because it seems hard to clean.
Thank you for the advice!
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