The saddle pad is Description, purpose, types, photos

2024 Author: Howard Calhoun | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 10:16

The saddle pad is part of the horse's equipment. It is a fabric cover that is placed under the saddle. The first primitive models - saddlecloths - appeared in Russia back in pre-Petrine times. Today, saddle pads are actively used in the sports industry, and not only. There are many companies that make saddle pads from different materials and different sizes. In the article we will find out what kind of saddle pads are, where you can buy them and how to put them on correctly.

What is a saddle pad for?

Saddleblanket is a blanket of rectangular, oval or arbitrary shape. It is attached with loops to the pruning. This item of equipment performs the following functions:

• protects the horse's back from chafing and blisters;
• serves as a shock absorber between the back and the saddle (while riding and jumping softens the blows a little);
• does not allow the saddleslide off;
• serves as decoration;
• absorbs sweat (this prevents irritation on the horse's back and protects the saddle from excessive moisture).

Some riders refuse this type of equipment, because they believe that because of it the horse is less able to understand the commands of the rider. Others believe that the multi-layered bedspreads gather into folds during the ride and rub against the skin of the animal. These shortcomings relate to low-quality bedspreads. With the right saddle pad, both horse and rider feel comfortable.

What materials are horse saddle pads made of?

Modern saddle pads are:

• Single-layer - they are called sweatshirts and are made from felt or cloth. Over time, sweatshirts get dirty and less absorbent, so they need to be washed frequently.
• Two-layer - they are obtained by sewing together two parts of synthetic, cotton, cotton, linen or calico fabrics. They do not absorb sweat well and mainly perform a decorative function. The simplest winter bedspreads are obtained from two patterns of sheepskin, fur.
• Multilayered - their outer layers are sewn from thin natural fabric, and the inside is filled with padding polyester or foam rubber (winter version), felt or batting.

Competitions usually use white covers. More expensive models are decorated with drawings, embroidery, coats of arms.

What are the sizes of saddle pads?

Saddle pads are hand-sewn accessories, taking into account the structure of the horse and the design of the saddle, but they are very expensive. It is beneficial for amateur riders to buy equipment in equestrian stores. On saddle pads "Squadron" their size is usually indicated:

• ExtraFull is the size for a large horse.
• Full - size for the average horse, the most purchased model, fits the saddle 16-18, 5 sizes.
• Cob - A saddle pad with this marking will suit you if your horse has outgrown a pony, but has not grown to an average horse.
• Pony - size for adults and fully developed ponies, fits saddle size 14 to 16, 5.
• Shetty - A blanket for little ponies or mini horses.

If you have a sewing machine, you can sew an exclusive saddle pad that fits your horse exactly. When sewing, consider the size of the saddle: the classic version of the saddle pad peeks out a little from under the wings of the saddle.

Varieties of saddle pads

Covers for saddles are classified according to their shape and purpose. For different disciplines of equestrian sports, they are different:

• The dressage saddle pad is much larger than other models.
• Medium-sized, all-round (three-piece) saddle pad is the best choice for beginners.
• Jumping saddle pad - much shorter than other models.
• Western saddle pads are similar in size to dressage saddle pads, made of dense fabric, almost square in shape.

To determine the shape of a saddle pad, itlaid out on a horizontal plane. The shape of the saddle pads are divided into classic rectangular and trefoil. Some bedspreads are bell-shaped: they are rounded at the neck of the horse, closer to the back they are rectangular. The shamrocks, when viewed from the side, seem to be divided into two halves, one of which is two times shorter than the other.

How to choose and care for a saddle pad?

The saddle pad is an ammunition that is used all year round. At first, you will need the simplest universal saddle cover. It should be light and thin. The half that adjoins the horse's back should be made of natural fabric with good hygroscopic properties. For the other half, it is best to choose a dense synthetic fabric that prevents slipping.

For long trips and for racing at low temperatures, you will need multi-layered saddle pads. Due to synthetic fillers (foam rubber, synthetic winterizer) and fur, the horse's back sweats a lot, so such models can only be worn in the cold season.

During the long autumn-spring trips, the skin under the saddle is strongly rubbed, but the overheating of the horse cannot be allowed either. For such situations, you need to purchase a felt saddle pad or sweatshirt.

Removing wool and cleaning with a damp cloth is the first step in caring for a saddle pad. They must be washed every 1-2 weeks in a washing machine or by hand. Try to use natural products so that the horse's skin does not become irritated.

Excellent among store-bought equestrian equipmentthe Eskadron, Horze, Anky and Fouganza saddle pads showed themselves.

How to sew a do-it-yourself saddle pad?

The saddle pad is a piece of equipment that is easy to sew at home. To do this, you need several types of fabric measuring 80 x 80 cm. You can take denim or gabardine for the top, felt or HPP for the middle, as well as flannel, cotton or calico for the bottom. In addition, you will need strong piping tape and belt loops.

Cut all types of fabric according to the finished pattern (or circle the edges of the old bedspread). Do not forget about allowances of 3-5 cm. If the fabric crumbles, process the edges. Then stitch the two halves, that is, divide the canvas into squares or rhombuses of the same size. After the material has been quilted, baste and sew the halves of the saddle cloth to each other. To prevent the horse's skin from chafing, sew a wide strip of piping along the connecting seam. The last steps are edging the edge with ribbons and stitching loops through which the saddle pad will be attached to the rest of the horse's ammunition.