I’m looking for a new saddle pad to go with my new saddle and I feel so uncertain on what to choose. There are too many choices! My new Crates trail saddle fits my horse great. I’m medium build and pleasure ride, nothing too strenous mostly easy trails and some arena work. I’m a big fan of natural sheepskin but the western type pads are very expensive. I’m currently using a 1" Diamond wool felt pad but I need something with a contour as my horse has somewhat high withers and a slight dip in the back. I think I could go with a thinner pad but I’m not sure. The BO where I board recommends using only a saddle blanket. To me those don’t seem to provide any extra comfort nor are they contoured. I want the best in comfort for my horse but I’m on a budget. Suggestions? Recommendations?
I have several skito pads and one supracor, the skito is very shock absorbing and comfortable for horse and rider, the supracor is great for hot weather riding, it’s super breathable and cools the back under the saddle
I just ordered a 5 star wool pad in a beautiful blue color. They are contoured and will mold to your horses back .
I’m sold on Toklat woolback and the “cheap-o” version of the Dixie Midnite. That mesh weave pad is wonderful
5 Star is wonderful!!!
They are expensive, and I must admit to being rather hesitant about parting with that much money when I bought mine, but…I’m completely satisfied! My experience with 5 Star has been nothing but positive and I highly recommend them.
No, I am not paid to endorse 5 Star.
I’ve used a lot of Skitos, Toklat Woolback and Haf pads. for a pad that doesn’t have foam inserts I don’t think you can beat the Contoured Woolback (minus the inserts). It is 100% wool fleece, woven onto a polyester knit fabric. This makes it washable as the base fabric doesn’t shrink. Wool of course shrinks but the fleece just gets denser while the overall pad will only shrink a bit. The fleece is much thicker than the wool fleece of the Skito pads. Too bad, I really like Skito but the Toklat Woolback fabric is superior IMO.
Anyway, very thick and cushioning fleece. Do be aware that Woolback flece comes in two lengths, English and Western is what they call them. The Western fleece is the longer fleece which is what you would want. I think they are worth the money as they last forever and ever. You can get a contoured pad or not. And they wash in your machine with Woolite.
Bonnie S.
I use a SaddleRight and love it. I’ve had it for at least 6 years and it has yet to compress or harden. It’s got the insert along the top so it is great for my older QH who’s back has dropped a little. I was using a dixie midnight knock off but the thing kept sliding out from under my saddle 
I threw it out.
My horse lost some weight so his saddle was a bit too wide. I borrowed pads from my wonderful generous friends until I found the one that worked (which was the Saddleright-thanks Jane). I found one on Ebay (my first Ebay experience) for half price. He has shark fin withers and it really keeps the saddle off them when going downhill.
Reinsman-TackyToo
I use the Reinsman Western saddle pad with Tacky Too on the underside. I think they make them in English also. I like the Tacky Too material. The pad also has a “gel-type shock absorber” inside which the horses seem to like.
LOVE LOVE LOVE 5 star pads!!!
HAF endurance pad topped with the Thinline for slippage and shock absorption. The HAF comes in different models for the various disciplines.
I have the thicker Prof Choice Air Ride pad for my QH, the thinner Prof Choice ortho sport pad for my TWH, and 100% wool navajo pads for the other two. I put the Dixie Midnight liners under them as needed for coolness in the summers.
Cheap pads are a waste of money IMO, no bargain buying 5 20 dollar pads over a few years. My oldest wool navajo is nearly 20 years old and going strong. Good equipment lasts.
I use the 5 Star contoured pad with a Dixie Midnight knockoff for my western saddle, and a Toklet Woolback or Cloud 9 for my English saddle.
