Will this wool saddle blanket break in?

[Libby2563]

I recently bought a Western saddle so DH could ride my semi-retired dressage horse. I borrowed a very nice, well-loved double-weave wool blanket to try the saddle and it was a fine amount of padding. So I bought this wool blanket from NRS. It is SO stiff that it doesn’t conform to the horse’s back at all. I’m worried about making him sore or giving him rubs from the wrinkles. Will it break in and if so how do I do that? The tag says hand wash only. I was thinking of returning it but shipping it back would cost me a third of the price I paid for it, ugh.

It’s also enormous. Am I supposed to fold it in half to use it?

Please help out a Western newbie. Thanks!

[Dani]

If it truly is a blanket and not a pad then yes, you do fold it in half. Wool will conform over time, a couple good rides and getting the blanket sweaty will help it along.

[beau159]

@Libby2563;8889840

So I bought this wool blanket from NRS.

It’s also enormous. Am I supposed to fold it in half to use it?

Yes, the site lists it as a 32x64 inch blanket. You fold it in half, usually with the fold to the front.

@Libby2563;8889840

It is SO stiff that it doesn’t conform to the horse’s back at all.

Myself personally, I’d send it back if it’s STIFF.

The description says 90% wool. But it does not say what the other 10% is???

Not to mention, not all wool is created equal. IMO, if I am spending the money on wool, it needs to be good quality wool that requires no breaking in. It should be soft from the get-go.

[Libby2563]

Thank you both! I’m clueless about this.

[QUOTE=beau159;8889996]
Myself personally, I’d send it back if it’s STIFF.

The description says 90% wool. But it does not say what the other 10% is???

Not to mention, not all wool is created equal. IMO, if I am spending the money on wool, it needs to be good quality wool that requires no breaking in. It should be soft from the get-go.[/QUOTE]

The weft is 100% wool. The weave is acrylic. I’m annoyed at myself for not picking up on that in the description. It says, “100% wool weft,” and I read that as “100% wool,” which is what I was looking for. I’m new to wool blankets so I didn’t realize that’s not what that meant. There are plenty of wool blends available for $20-30 so I’m a little grumpy about paying $70 for one.

But I also hate to spend $20-25 on return shipping for a $70 item. It seems wasteful.

This saddle, on this horse, doesn’t seem to need a 1" thick wool felt pad so I was looking for something slimmer and lighter, and it’s hard to wade through all the options when you don’t know what you’re looking at really.

ETA: Do I maybe want something more like this?

[Aces_N_Eights]

The Navajo is meant to be folded in half.
Years ago team ropers used a folded Navajo under a neoprene pad or the wool felt blended pads to keep from burning their horses back. Typically most people use a Navajo as a topper on a pad either to dress up or to add some thickness in addition to the pad if needed.
To use just a Navajo under a saddle the saddle needs to fit really well as most Navajo aren’t overly thick or absorb shock as most pads will. Very rarely do I see the really nice thick wool blankets and they are pretty pricey.

If you don’t need a lot of pad I’d suggest a conformed wool pad like a 5 Star which you can get in a variety of thicknesses. I own a 1/2" then use wool blankets like you bought to pad up if needed on the different horses I ride.

[beau159]

[QUOTE=Libby2563;8890072]

ETA: Do I maybe want something more like this?[/QUOTE]

Personally, I do not like pads that aren’t contoured for the horse’s back.

[QUOTE=Aces N Eights;8890487]

If you don’t need a lot of pad I’d suggest a conformed wool pad like a 5 Star which you can get in a variety of thicknesses. I own a 1/2" then use wool blankets like you bought to pad up if needed on the different horses I ride.[/QUOTE]

Ditto to this! I use a 1/2 inch 5 Star pad on both my horses. With a well-fitting saddles, that’s all you need.

[stb]

Another vote here for 5 Star pads. I use a 7/8" pad under my saddle. They are pricey, but worth the splurge.

[Libby2563]

Thanks! I do want something contoured. Asked about that one because the customer service lady at NRS said something about it when I called to ask if the wool blanket I bought would break in (also hoping that if I expressed dissatisfaction they’d offer to cover the return shipping, but no dice).

Aha! I finally found 1/2" contoured wool pads in a brand other than 5 Star! Here’s a Diamond Wool one–okay, right? I’'m sure the 5 Stars are nicer but the price makes me go :eek:. For the occasional use this saddle will be getting, it’s hard to justify.

[TheHunterKid90]

Try classic equine. They are all I use. I have 10-15 pads of various age, shapes and materials. The one inch neoprene is my favorite as they are easy to clean for training horses. My personal horses have wool back ones. Also can’t go wrong with a half inch won pad.

[Aces_N_Eights]

Diamond pads are awesome. They are a wool blend not 100% like the 5 Stars but they hold up good, I’ve used them for years.

[beau159]

[QUOTE=Libby2563;8892084]

Aha! I finally found 1/2" contoured wool pads in a brand other than 5 Star! Here’s a Diamond Wool one–okay, right? I’'m sure the 5 Stars are nicer but the price makes me go :eek:. For the occasional use this saddle will be getting, it’s hard to justify.[/QUOTE]

I’ve personally never used Diamond Wool but I know that others state it is a “cheaper alternative” to 5 Star. I’ve tried other pads, but nothing seems to compare to the softness of the 5 Star, IMO.

A 1/2" thickness of the “natural” color isn’t too bad on price; considering it may be the only saddle pad you’ll ever buy if you only use it occasionally.

My first 5 Star pad is about 6 years old now, and it has been used hard. When washed up, it’s as nice as new. It’s quality and it holds up.