Specialized Saddle Pads for the English Rider

Using a saddle pad serves a number of purposes. Providing a barrier between your saddle and your horse’s back, saddle pads protect your saddle from dirt, sweat, and horse hair while helping to prevent sores on your horse’s back. They also act as a cushion for your horse’s back, making the saddle (and the rider) more comfortable to carry. Additionally, some saddle pads can work to improve the fit of your saddle, which prevents back pain and pressure points.

At The Cheshire Horse, we carry an extensive selection of saddle pads for both English and Western riders. Many of these pads are specially designed for specific purposes. For instance, some are developed to prevent saddle bridging, while others are built for horses who are plagued with sore backs. In this blog post, we explore the various types of specialized saddle pads for the hunter/jumper, dressage, and eventing equestrian and help you determine if your horse is a candidate for them.

Half Pads

Half pads are one of the most commonly used specialty saddle pads, and for good reason! These back pads are designed to be worn between the saddle and another saddle pad (such as a thin baby pad) and have a wide variety of benefits for your horse’s back, from eliminating pressure points to minimizing heat and friction. Sheepskin half pads and wool half pads cushion your horse’s back from impact while naturally wicking away heat and moisture. Thinner memory foam half pads conform to your horse’s back and help distribute the impact of the rider evenly over the horse’s back.

It is important to assess the fit of your saddle when shopping for a half pad. Due to their thickness, some of them may alter the fit of your saddle (this can be a benefit or a detriment). If you need assistance selecting the best half pad for your horse, we are pleased to offer professional saddle fitting services to our local customers.

Back Riser Pads

Riser pads, lift pads, cantle riser, wedge pads, and lollipop pads are used to raise the cantle of the saddle and level out the seat. Not only do they make it easier for the rider to stay balanced and properly positioned in the center of the saddle, they also discourage the saddle panels from driving into the horse’s back, which is extremely uncomfortable for the horse. These simple pads have been used to combat ill-fitting saddles for years with wonderful results; they help to keep the saddle from bridging and rocking. Riser pads made from high density foam or sheepskin, such as the Cashel Jump Wedge Cushion Pad, also cushion your horse’s back and minimize painful pressure points.

Front Riser Pads, Pommel Pads, and Wither Pads

For horses with narrow withers and sharp withers, a crocheted or foam pommel pad provides cushion and comfort while minimizing the amount of rubbing that occurs. Other horses who are built with downhill conformation benefit from wither pads, front risers, and front lift pads as they prevent the saddle from digging into the back, withers, and shoulders, while balancing the saddle so that the rider can properly apply their cues and sit centered in the saddle. The Lift Front Comfort Pad is a popular option, with raised panels that cushion the shoulders and withers while evening out the overall fit of the saddle.

Correction Pads

One of the most versatile types of saddle pads, correction pads, allow you to place thin shims in the pad for a practically custom fit. These are a fantastic option for riders who are struggling with saddle fit and are looking to make adjustments. If you have a horse with asymmetrical muscling along the back, a properly fitting correction pad allows you to adjust for this imbalance while you work on the muscling deficits. Correction pads are available as a half pad, like the Success Equestrian Jumper Correction Half Pad, or as a full pad, such as the ECP Cotton Correction All Purpose Pad with Memory Foam. Additionally, many correction pads also protect the back from the effects of impact and disperse the pressure of the saddle and the rider by using memory foam, gel, and other high density materials. 

Gel Pads

Care for your horse’s back and prevent sore muscles with a gel pad, memory foam pad, or impact protection pad. These thin back pads distribute the weight of the rider evenly across the area to assist in eliminating pressure points. Because of their low profile they do not alter the saddle fit, which makes gel pads a wonderful choice for high performance horses with well-fitting saddles. 

Therapeutic Pads

Utilizing innovative fabrics and construction techniques, therapeutic pads promote supple back muscles and help reduce muscle inflammation. These pads are great as a preventative measure or for horses that have a history of back pain. Many therapeutic pads also feature shimable correction pad inserts for optimal saddle fit and back comfort. The Back On Track ThinLine Contender II Therapeutic Pad combines the healing effects of the Welltex fabric with the protection, impact-reducing technology, and relief of the ThinLine half pad. 

Non-Slip Pads

If you have a horse with a minimal wither or a round back, you may have a difficult time keeping your saddle properly positioned. Many equestrians that ride horses with these conformational traits find that their saddles have a tendency to slip to one side or slide toward the horse’s hindquarters. Non-slip saddle pads and anti-slip saddle pads secure your pads in place with proprietary materials to prevent excess saddle movement. We love the Toklat TechQuilt Show Pad that combines non-slip fabric with wicking technology to keep your horse’s back cool and comfortable over the course of your ride.

Other pads, such as the Shires Performance Fusion Saddle Pad and the Shires Performance Fusion Jump Saddle Pad, integrate non-slip fabrics with innovative materials that prevent pressure points and provide shock absorption. We encourage many equestrians to utilize these versatile pads for their daily schooling.

Number Pads

Unlike many of the other saddle pads on this list, number pads, such as the Toklat Medallion Close Contact Number Saddle Pad,  are made specifically for showing your horse. Available in cotton, sheepskin, and fleece styles, these pads securely hold your exhibitor number in place and clearly display it for the judge to see. Many exhibitors prefer using these pads in lieu of attaching the number to their back. They are especially convenient if you have multiple riders on a single horse or have a busy equestrian with multiple horses to ride over the course of the show day.

Baby Pads

These thin pads are designed to be used underneath a half pad, riser pad, gel pad, or other specialty saddle pads. Typically made of thin, quilted cotton, they will not alter the fit of your saddle. They are exceptionally easy to clean (just pop them in the washing machine!) and will extend the life of your more expensive pads by protecting them from dirt, sweat, and horse hair. For optimal comfort, look for a baby pad with wicking technology, like the Union Hill LÉTTIA Collection CoolMax ICE Baby Pad, to help keep your horse’s back cool while minimizing the potential for saddle sores.

Many of the saddle pads that we carry offer multiple benefits. For instance, some sheepskin half pads offer a cutout for wither-relief, many memory foam half pads feature non-slip technology, and some gel pads provide an integrated riser system for improved saddle fit. Every horse is an individual and their needs should be considered whenever shopping for a new saddle pad.

We carry a wide variety of saddle pads to ensure that we have the right saddle pad for you and your horse. Whether you are trying to combat saddle fit issues or find the perfect saddle pad for your next horse show, we can help. We invite you to reach out to a member of our friendly and highly experienced sales staff who can work with you to determine which saddle pad will meet your needs.