Saddle pads - very interesting read!

[SarahF]

While researching what pad to get for my recently purchased treeless saddle - I came across this:

http://www.5starequineproducts.com/research-articles/saddle-pad-research/

Basically concludes that if you're doing more than, say 45min riding, good old sheepskin / wool felt is the best bet when it comes to cooling and comfort!

Hope someone else finds this as useful!

 

[MiJodsR2BlinkinTite]

Thanks for this OP!

VERY interesting read. Looks like (er, sorry!) the wool has been pulled over our eyes.

Am in the process of re-evaluating saddles & saddle-pads with my two, so this was very timely - and extremely helpful. Thanks

 

[sbloom]

I always recommend sheepskin, wool and lambskin are okay, sheepskin is the real deal for long distance, remedial fitting etc. And with Mattes correction pads you can build your own front riser, rear riser etc as needed. The article does focus more on western saddles which can have felt pads made of wool, for English it is sheepskin, though the nicest thin cotton numnahs often have a thin dense felt in them as well.

 

[SarahF]

@MiJods -
It is useful hey?! Esp with the amount of choice, materials and jargon to boot!

 

[SarahF]

Sbloom - yeh mattes & Stephens are where I'm focussing/eBay bargain hunting @ the mo...
Also toying with the idea of using a standard cotton numnah and having sheepskin added maybe...?

 

[samlf]

Not sure how much weight I attach to an article when the company supporting it clearly are selling the products that they have found are 'best'.

That said, I can see the sense behind it in a way, but on the other hand I have always been of the impression that if a saddle fits correctly you shouldn't need anything underneath it.

 

[EquestrianFairy]

I always recommend sheepskin, wool and lambskin are okay, sheepskin is the real deal for long distance, remedial fitting etc. And with Mattes correction pads you can build your own front riser, rear riser etc as needed. The article does focus more on western saddles which can have felt pads made of wool, for English it is sheepskin, though the nicest thin cotton numnahs often have a thin dense felt in them as well.

Sorry to hijack, I've been trying to pm you but it won't let me. Will you please send me a pm as I have a question to ask you thankyou.