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Choosing the Right Saddle Pad: The Classic Equine Difference
With so many options out there, it’s easy to assume all saddle pads are pretty much the same. But they’re not. The right one can make a big difference in how your horse feels under saddle—and how long they stay happy and healthy doing their job.
Why It Matters
The folks at Classic Equine have been crafting high-performance saddle pads for more than 20 years. Their team works closely with professional riders, veterinarians, and horsemen of all kinds. And, they're riders, too—so they’ve felt firsthand how a saddle pad that actually works can prevent sore backs, avoid costly vet visits, and overall help your horse enjoy his life more.
What Your Saddle Pad Should Actually Do
A high-quality saddle pad has three very important roles:
- Help distribute the saddle and rider weight from their withers to their loin
- Mitigate and dissipate the rider’s percussion
- Protect and overall support for the horse’s back
Without the right pad, your horse can suffer from a range of issues, such as:
- Galling, rubbing raw sores
- Expensive chiropractic sessions trying to fix damage
- Muscle atrophy
- Sore-backed horses becoming irritable, dreading being caught and saddled
Prioritize Proper Fit and Regular Saddle Pad Replacement
Some helpful reminders:
· Poor saddle fit is the #1 culprit. If the saddle doesn’t fit, no saddle pad can completely fix the issue. Always begin by ensuring your saddle provides flat, even coverage across your horse’s back. Better yet—consult the pros at NRS who know how to fit a horse properly, or reference our Ultimate Saddle Fitting Guide. Keep in mind that a saddle pad is designed to complement a saddle that already fits well and cannot completely correct an ill-fitting one.
· It's getting old, but it’s good enough. Squeezing out “a few more rides” from an already worn-out saddle pad can be detrimental to your horse. As pads age, they can wear unevenly depending on the amount of pressure applied under the saddle and its location. This can lead to painful soreness, after just one ride. Throw out those old pads and replace them for your horse’s sake. Shop here for a new saddle pad from NRSWorld.
Pads wear out first in the areas the rides just towards the front and center of the pad panels on both sides.
· Using a pad that’s too thick. Contrary to age-old beliefs, using a thick pad to “fix” a tight-fitting saddle can only make things worse.
Think about it this way: Do you own a pair of boots or sneakers that fit pretty good, or maybe supportively snug? What if you added two thick athletic socks to those same pair of shoes? Ouch! The same applies to your horse’s back when you use a pad that’s too thick. It becomes extremely tight and amplifies existing pressure in the wrong places.
Picking the Right Saddle Pad
Classic Equine's commitment to the horse means creating saddle pads that meet the specific needs of every individual situation. Their team put together a general guide for those looking to up their saddle pad game.
These are general recommendations based on riding level and horse needs. No pad is strictly limited to one category; this is simply a broad overview to help guide your selection.
Elite Equine Athletes
Try: Zone™ Pad or ESP™ Pad
The Zone™ Series pad line is Classic Equine’s most revolutionary design. This high-tech pad is made with Zoombang® Technology—the same impact-dispersing material used in football helmets and military tactical gear. The individual capsules are soft and flex to allow your horse freedom of movement, but firm up instantly when the pressure hits and absorb the impact. Padded with orthopedic grade felt, this pad provides the ultimate protection.
Caption: The Zone™ Series Pad is the only saddle pad that features a polymer protective material that changes its properties on impact to offer your horse the most comfortable fit while ensuring his protection, no matter how hard you ride.
The ESP™ (“Extra Sensory Protection”) pad line utilizes a special open-cell foam that is breathable, lightweight, yet extremely dense and highly shock-absorbing. It provides a high level of protection with its self-adjusting profile to help conform to your equine athlete’s back. The orthopedic grade felt bottom soaks up moisture and provides incredible support.
Horse Trainers Who Ride All Day
Try: SensorFlex® or Performance Trainer
The SensorFlex® pad line is designed to absorb shock and mold to your horse’s back for a custom, contoured fit. These pads are lined with 100% merino fleece, which helps wick away sweat. Horses greatly appreciate the benefits of a fleece liner!
The Performance Trainer pad is popular amongst horse trainers and horsemen of all disciplines. This pad is designed with added breakover lines to help mold the pad to your horse’s back. It is also lined with 100% merino fleece, and the heavy-duty canvas top makes it highly durable, so it lasts a long time.
Competitive Weekend Warriors and Everyday Exercisers
Try: 100% Wool Felt or Alpaca Felt Pads
The 100% Wool Felt pads are a great choice for those who prefer a natural feel for their horse. Classic Equine’s 100% Wool Felt pad is “pressed” for better compression resistance and a much longer life. It has a superior ability to disperse pressure, wick away sweat, and diffuse heat. Pressed felt is also less susceptible to premature breakdown. This pad is contour cut unlike any other on the market and has an option for a fleece bottom.
The Alpaca Felt pad is similar to the 100% Wool Felt but with a few differences. Alpaca is exceptionally soft to the touch and features a rich, natural brown tone. These pads are “needle-punched” felt, therefore less expensive at check-out, but not as long-lasting as “pressed” felt.
Recreational Rider
Try: Classic Wool Top
Available in a multitude of wool banket tops with vibrant color combinations. The orthopedic grade felt bottom soaks up moisture, conforms to your horse’s back. This universal pad comes in a 1” thickness, and in two different sizes.
Make Your Saddle Pad Last
To get the most out of your Classic Equine saddle pad, follow these steps:
Clean it regularly using just water, a little mild horse shampoo, and your fingertips.
Use small circular motions to remove sweat and hair buildup.
· Hang it over a fence to let the water run out evenly (and be sure to use it only when it’s completely dry).
Classic Equine constantly strives to create new products and improve their existing product line. As time passes and technology advances, they are always finding new ways to help you achieve your goals. As horse lovers, they understand how much value an equine partner has and their ultimate goal is to protect your four-legged teammates. We at NRSWorld know that Classic Equine is a name you can trust for every equine-related need, and we are proud to offer the brand we trust on our own horses.
