At first it can seems like such a simple task, all
you have to do is open that glossy horse supply and tack catalog that is
laying on the table and purchase a new Western saddle pad. No problem.
Just a few short seconds after opening the catalog you realize exactly
how big a project you are about to undertake. Instead of opening the
catalog and finding the one or two saddle pads you expected you find
your self facing page after page after page of saddle pads. Each saddle
pad has its own cut, material type, and function. The magazine offers a
brief blurb on each pad but nothing that is really helpful. The only
thing that the blankets seem to have in common is the price...expensive.
The first thing you need to consider is your budget. The typical horse
person operates on a tight budget. Every day they are confronted with a
flood of bills that never seems to stop, feed bills, veterinarian bills,
board bills, lesson bills, and miscellaneous bills. It is tempting to
purchase the cheapest saddle blanket the catalogue sells. Before you
place that order you should stop and think. When it comes to tack
cheaper is typically not better. Cheap saddle blankets tend to be so
thin that they offer next to no cushioning, the flimsy material often
bunches and can cause saddle sores if the owner is negligent when
saddling. Cheap blankets can slide while the owner is riding (this is
especially true if your horse is as round as a barrel). The advantage to
cheap saddle blankets is that they are typically washing machine
cleanable, but the downside is that they seldom last for more then a few
cleanings. The one time I recommend buying a really cheap Western saddle
pad is when you are first saddling a young horse. If cost is a major
issue consider looking in the clearance sections of the catalogs and
tack stores. I've found that I typically find the best deals on saddle
blankets when I'm not looking for one.
The second thing you need to take into consideration when you are
looking for a Western saddle blanket is what type of saddle do you have.
Not all Western saddles are designed the same, there are saddles cut to
fit specific breeds (Arabians and Quarter Horses typically use a
different saddle design), saddles that are designed for different
purposes (a barrel racing saddle looks completely different from a
saddle that a roper will be riding in). The important thing to remember
is that the when the saddle pad is on, no part of the underside of the
saddle should be touching the horses back.
It is important to consider your horses body type when you are
purchasing a saddle blanket. If you own a horse whose mid section
resembles a barrel and their withers are nothing more then a distant
memory (this is the typical body type of ponies) you will want to look
for a saddle pad that is made of material that is designed not to slip
and slide all over the place. If you are a rider that typically leans
heavily on one side of your saddle you will also want to consider a
non-slip saddle blanket. If your horse has prominent withers you will
want to look for a saddle blanket that will add extra protection and
padding in the front. A swaybacked horse requires a saddle pad that will
offer extra support everywhere, you'll also want to look for a saddle
pad that is thick enough you saddle will sit above the horses withers
and hips.
Western saddle pads are not easy to clean. They are typically to stiff
and cumbersome to fit in a washing machine and if you are able to cram
them into your washing machine you will quickly learn that it can take
several days before they are dry. Once a Western saddle pad has been
washed it typically doesn't look the same again. Most Western riders try
to keep their saddle pads clean by placing a cheap Navajo rug under the
think fluffy Western Blanket.
