Any great ideas to slow down the winter hair rubs? My horse gets some from my boot (surprisingly not at the spur but just below where the boot meets the saddle), which aren’t a big deal bit he also gets them under the seat of the saddle, which are a bigger deal. He gets them every year but at the rate this year is going he will be bald. Saddle fitter says it isn’t a fit issue, just an area with movement.
I use the LeMieux sensitive saddle pads this time of year. They just have sheepskin at the binding (underside outer edges) of the saddle. That’s where mine usually get rubs.
When I’ve previously had a horse fitted with a sheepskin half pad, I’ve put the sheepskin under my square pad or shaped pad (thin pad, usually LeMieux) directly on the horse.
I also try to use moisturizer on those rubbed areas
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Ugh, both my boys get rubs under the saddle, mostly under the seat/cantle, and what look like spur rubs but are just where my lower leg touches them. It looks terrible- everyone is always telling me to keep a patch of hair there when I clip but there ISN’T any hair to keep- it just gets rubbed off!
Here is what I do, which helps to minimize the rubs, at least somewhat: one, I give them (as per my vet) extra Vitamin E for their coats (I just buy it in bulk from Premier 1 and add it to their supplement cups). Two, I have a stack of sheepskin-lined saddle pads that replace their usual squares as soon as they start growing a coat- I use the Le Mieux ones and Lammfelle. Both have a large sheepskin area that covers the top part of the underside. Three, I use silicone spray or gel on the various parts and reapply it all winter long. And four, I keep everything that touches their hair as clean as I can, from their pads to their girths (I use leather ones and wipe them down after every ride), to their blankets, to my boots.
They still have rubs but all of this does help minimize them. I hate it! It makes me look like I’m spurring the crap out of both of them all winter long, when I’m just riding the way I always do. It really is a movement thing- my boys have a lot of swing and the brittle winter hair just gets rubbed right off with any sort of friction. Good luck, and hopefully other people will chime in with advice, since even my little system is only effective up to a point.
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The only time I’ve had horses get rubs under the saddle is when the fit of that saddle is off. I would definitely double check your fit, and don’t just rely on what a brand rep or fitter says.
Also take a look at your saddle pads. What’s the material on the underside of those pads? I’ve seen some that are a waffle knit or more abrasive feel (even when brands claim they are bamboo cotton or something else). If they are abrasive or have a pattern to them, that can exacerbate the issue. Try plain cotton like Ogilvy or sheepskin like Mattes in extreme cases.
How often do you change blankets? The same blanket sitting on the horse day in and day out can also cause pressure points and rubs. I have a stable blanket and sheet for when they’re stalled, and three different turnout weights. Their blankets get changed twice a day as they go outside and inside.
Finally, winter can cause dry skin. Nutrition is one huge factor to help combat that. Consider adding flax, vitamin e, and omega 3s to their diet (or at least verifying you’re feeding the appropriate amount currently). You can also look at skin/coat conditioners, which provide a shot of moisture (just like face or hand lotion we use ourselves in the winter). Topicals are never going to fix poor nutrition, but should be helpful for preventing boot rubs if used before your ride.
Good luck! Some horses are more challenging to manage than others when it comes with winter skin care, just like some people have dryer skin and it can take a bit to figure out what works to combat that. My biggest concern would be the saddle marks, because that indicates friction and movement of the saddle that usually means the saddle just doesn’t fit right and has some play to it.
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Get your saddle rechecked. It shouldn’t be moving enough to rub.
Also sheepskin directly on the skin is fantastic for thin skinned horses.
Dry hair needs oil and extra fat. Increase vitamin e and flax or chia seeds.
Make sure your boots and pads are extra clean. Dirt rubs like no other.
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I found my chestnut got rubs once he hit about 15. I did supplement with vit E but pretty much that’s standard of your horse doesn’t have access to pasture. The two other chestnuts at the barn also had fetlock and hock abrasions and the barn owner said she thinks it’s a red head issue. 
Some horses do get rubs in the winter despite a properly-fitted saddle. While of course it’s something to consider, some horses’ winter coats just are that prone to breakage, and the movement of a clean saddle pad against a gently swinging back will do it.
I understand the feeling of everyone around you telling you that you’re spurring your horse in a poorly fitted saddle and poorly fitted blanket to be causing all the rubs, despite every effort made to prevent them.
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I use the Equiderma lotion for anything like this! My horse gets weird hock rubs (not sores…just enough to get the hair in one spot. Despite a nicely bedded stall 
). It’s very effective!
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My horse gets terrible rubs every year. Under the cantle are the worst, he also gets them from my boots and from the reins. I started using powder on him this year (started with Coat Defense, switched to Gold Bond when I used up the Coat Defense) every time he gets sweaty. He still has rubs, but not as bad as usual. It’s the only change I’ve made to his care so I’m guessing this has helped the rub issue.
Is he clipped? If not, too late for this year, but next year leave some unclipped hair under the saddle area and in the leg area. I had the same issue w saddle rub if you will. My fitter told me it’s common and to leave the hair. I always left a smaller patch that didn’t extend to the cantle but now I leave the whole length. I’m sorry I don’t have more helpful advice for your immediate problem.
My clipped horse is getting rubs on his neck from my reins. Just literally from where they lightly touch his neck, and rub from the inevitable motion of his head/neck swinging gently in the trot and canter. I have leather reins too. I may start putting something on his neck like Gold Bond before rides.
It’s a cost effective band aid for a bigger issue, but I’ve always had moderate luck just keeping rub prone areas treated with show sheen to decrease friction. For the saddle area I usually put a towel or a saddle pad down to block the area of the back I don’t want to get slippery, or I spray it onto my fingers and then rub onto the rub-prone area.
Otherwise I agree with other commenters that suggest a sheepskin lined pad to help with the saddle area rubs.
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This!
Or the slight bit of rubbing caused by the placement of their turn out blanket surcingle doing the same thing.
Stuff happens even if you have done all the right stuff.
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One of mine has to wear sheepskin halter fuzzies on the reins in the winter.
Recommend using zip ties to tighten them enough that they do not slide.
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