What is a Saddle Pad or Blanket

The saddle pad originally was made from animal hides, animal hair, crude felts, linens and woven blankets. Originally the saddle blanket was the only piece
equipment placed on the horses back and was held by a strap or rope, mainly to protect the rider. In older days the felt, hair and blankets were mostly used, and if a saddle didn't fit or the horse became sore they just added another layer and tightened the cinch. The cattle ranchers of that day didn't think about fit for the horse, it wasn't a primary concern, because they were able to changed horses often in the course of a day. It has been about forty to fifty years years ago that the saddle pad or blanket became a bigger issue to help aid in the fit of the saddle, remember that a pad or blanket is not to replace the proper fit of a saddle. The idea of a special designed saddle blanket or pad usually made of wool, cotton, or a synthetic fabric is to compensate for minimum saddle fit problems.

When deciding what kind of blanket or pad to use consider two most important factors compression protection and cooling, and most of the time it is through costly trial and error that you find out which pad meets your expectations of what you are looking for. When a saddle fits correctly on the back of your horse you will ask yourself how can cooling take place with such close contact? That is where the proper saddle pad comes into play you want one that will wick away the sweat which is where the heat builds from.

Consider a couple of things when deciding on a saddle pad, ask the question would I wear plastic or foam for undergarments? No, so you don't want to place these types of materials on your horse which can only cause rubbing and friction when they become sticky and or slick from the sweat. The best materials to stay with are those of wool or cotton, wool being the best because it will wick the moisture away from the horses back and offer compression protection.

Things To Think About:

1. Wool type pads clean up easily
2. All pads will contract germs and diseases if not cleaned properly if infection
exist.
3. Buy for function first then for looks.
4. Adding more padding doesn't help the fit of a unfitting saddle.

Last of points to consider is when you have invested a large sum of money in buying your horse and your saddle, why would you skimp on the quality of your saddle pad. Do the research and then decide what will work best for your horse, think about the comfort of your four legged friend.