Saddle pads are available in many styles and colors. When buying a pad for your saddle you can easily get confused about which pad is better for your horse. Here are some easy tips to follow to pick out the perfect pad for your horse.
Before heading out to your local farm supply or tack store you need to figure out a few things. First of all what is the purpose of the pad? What style of riding will you be using the pad for? You will need to match the saddle type to the pad type. English saddles are smaller so if you have an English saddle you will need a saddle pad made to fit an English saddle. Same goes for Western saddles, they are bigger so you will need a bigger Western style pad if you are using a Western saddle. Your horse's shape will also play into your decision. Budget and design preference are another things to consider, colors, patterns and how much you are willing to spend.
If you ride western then you will likely want a nice saddle blanket to place over a simple pad.
Measure the saddle you intend on using before picking out the pad. For maximum horse comfort the pad should show at least 1 1/2 inches around all edges of the saddle. This will protect the horse from the saddle moving around.
Expensive pads don't necessarily make them a good choice. Watching out for sales is a good way to save money. Look online for some of the best deals on saddle pads.
Make your horse a happy horse and choose a quality saddle pad which fits your budget and your horse. You should be aware that you may need to go through a few different saddle pads before finding a pad which is the perfect fit to your horse and doesn't slip. If your pad does have slippage, your horse may need a therapeutic pad, which is something to keep in mind.
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