Horse
Saddle Pad:
The modern saddle pad comes during a sort of colors and
materials. That sometimes makes it difficult for people to settle on the proper
option for his or her particular horse. many of us simply select the pad that
appears prettiest on their horses — but saddle pads are far more than simply a
fashion accessory!
Saddle Pads
Functions:
Saddle pads are wont to provide cushioning under the saddle,
thus distributing and lessening impact between the spines of horse and rider. A
successful saddle pad makes equitation possible by keeping the saddle properly
positioned beneath the rider.
Navajo pads act like panels and cooling pads for Western
saddles and that they are made in various materials and thicknesses. Shim pads
should only be used as interim solutions until the saddle – Western or English —
are often fitted properly. For English saddles the saddle pad is supposed to
soak up moisture and dirt and protects the saddle from the horse’s sweat. The
panel on an English saddle is that the interface between horse and rider and
wishes to be smooth and firm, while remaining as thin as possible to assist the
rider communicate with the horse.
While generally the
Horse saddle pad for an English saddle
should be wont to protect the saddle, some horses need the additional
protection for his or her back. However, often the force and pressure can
actually be increased by the utilization of a saddle pad that's too thick.
Thick pads elevate the saddle above the horse’s back and make a lengthened
lever to use force against his spine. When impact absorption is combined with a
skinny adherent pad, it creates the last word in what you would like during a
saddle pad. Putting an additional pad on a saddle that's already too tight is
like putting on an additional pair of socks to form a little pair of shoes
easier – it simply doesn’t work!
Saddle
pad materials:
Pads made from natural products are best and do more to soak
up and wick moisture, keeping it faraway from the horse’s skin. Sheepskin and
wool offer shock absorption and wicking but are often expensive, hard to take
care of and have a habit of compressing over time. Cotton may be a serviceable
moisture-absorbing product and is straightforward to wash , but offers no
protection in shock absorption or saddle fit.
Shock absorbers like gel, thick foams, air and neoprene each
carry their own drawbacks. Gel moves faraway from pressure points, is hot and
heavy, and since of its thickness tends to maneuver the rider. Foams and
neoprene tend to compress rapidly; while they'll feel good within the hand,
once you add a rider’s weight the cushion bottoms out or creates a rebound
effect. Air is that the biggest culprit, causing excessive rebound and lack of
communication with the horse, but it does distribute pressure well. Neoprene on
the opposite hand retains heat and bacteria and breaks down rapidly.
The right
saddle pad for you and your horse:
How are you able to tell if a saddle pad is true for you and
your horse? Consider your care requirements — are you able to wash a saddle pad
every day? are you able to afford to possess several good saddle pads, or do
you have to work with a half pad so you'll use it on top of a skinny saddle
pad?
The right saddle pad should provide closeness to your horse,
offer shock absorbency and weight distribution, and absorb excess moisture
while retaining airflow. Closeness and fit provide the required components for
comfort and protection of your horse’s back. a correct saddle pad can make an
enormous difference within the health of your horse’s back, also as in your
riding experience.
A bit about shims:
Most saddle pad shims are created from available saddle pad
products: lightweight foams (which compress and bottom out, leaving you with
virtually no shimming once weight is applied); gels, which move and generate
heat; and neoprene, which retains heat, moisture and bacteria and has no
ability to distribute weight. pocket shims are easy to over- or under-inflate
and supply a high rebound effect. Wool works well, but compresses after use and
is difficult to form stay in situ during a saddle pad.
A shim must have several key characteristics: it must
distribute weight, be beveled to make sure there are not any pressure points,
and be non-slip. It must not compress — once the saddle fitter has fitted the
shims correctly, they need to occupy an equivalent thickness and within the
same place.
