FAQ Saddle Pads

What types of saddle pads are there?

Saddle pads come in all different types, colors, materials, and brands. So you have dressage, jumping, western and versatility decks, as well as saddle pads (usually made of fur).

How do I know what type of saddle pad I need?

The type of cover depends on your saddle. Riders with a western saddle specifically choose a western cover, with a dressage saddle, it is best to use a dressage cover and with a jumping saddle, it is best to use a jumping cover. If your horse has a sensitive back, you can put a pad between the saddle and cover, it distributes the pressure of the saddle better on your horse’s back for greater comfort while riding.

How often should a saddle pad be washed?

How often you should wash your saddle pad depends on the time of year. In summer, if you ride a lot in hot weather, your pad should be washed every 3 days. In winter, with colder temperatures, this obviously needs to be done a lot less. Then you should wash your saddle pad once a month.

What happens when you don’t wash your saddle pad often enough?

If you don’t wash the saddle pad enough, due to lack of hygiene, dirt can clog your horse’s sebaceous glands. This becomes visible as small bumps on the skin. Sweat crusts on the saddle pad and in the saddle area are very unpleasant for the horse and itchy. A dirty saddle pad also increases the risk of skin irritation and skin fungus. Dirt on the underside of the saddle pad also reduces functionality, such as breathability, elasticity, and fit. Especially with the underside of lambskin, the absorbency suffers from lack of care and can create annoying knots for the horse.