Saddle pads

Saddle pads

What do saddle pads do?

Of course, one function of saddle pads is that they are absolutely addictive. Once you started buying a few, you just can't stop anymore. There's just so many colours and styles and cuts and prints and oh god the saddle pad addiction is real. But the main function of saddle pads is to wick the sweat of the horse from under the saddle and avoid heat build-up. You should regularly wash your saddle pads, especially if you use the same one frequently, as they take up a lot of sweat and dirt from the horse's fur. The padding will also decrease after a little while, so unfortunately even with the best of care, you'll eventually have to get some new pads sooner or later to replace your old ones. But it's all for the sake of the horse - bacteria can't grow with washing and new pads with better padding also ensure better pressure distribution and less chafing under the saddle.

Materials

There's multiple materials you will see pop up a lot when it comes to saddle pads. Cotton and Polyester are very common materials for outer or inner layers of the saddle pad and we've all heard of them before anyway. But then there's also Coolmax and Bamboo - but what are they and what do they do?

Coolmax, as the name already suggests, helps your horse keep cool and dry while riding. The cooling effect of the lining makes the horse stay comfortable under the saddle pad, even when sweating. It's a technically advanced material with fibers that are crossed in a special way, which was designed for optimal moisture wicking from the horse's body to the outside of the pad. The patent Coolmax Material can be found in lots of different pads, but also quite a few other sport-related products, like some clothing pieces.

Bamboo is a plant, as we all know. But it's a very handy-dandy plant which isn't only environmentally-friendly but also perfect for saddle pads. Bamboo grows super quickly and doesn't need any fertiliser or pesticides. As a material it's anti-bacterial and prevents smelling - perfect for sweaty and exhausting training sessions. But it's also very breathable and wicks the moisture and sweat very easily and quickly. Great for your horse and yourself and also great for the environment.

Popular saddle pads

There's some brands that have become household names in the world of saddle pad addicts. Eskadron is one of them for example. They bring out some stunning new designs and colours every single season. Whether you want glossy and shiny, trendy prints and nice details or a simple cotton pad with a fantastic value for money, Eskadron has you covered. The Eskadron saddle pads are of very high quality and can easily be used for years without losing shape, bleeding colour or falling apart at the seams. A real must-have in any pad lovers collection!

Kingsland not only has the best for the horse in mind, they also use high-quality products of fair production and create technically advanced items. A lot of their saddle pads are made with bamboo inner lining for perfect moisture wicking. And not only are their saddle pads of fantastic quality, they also look super gorgeous. Kingsland pads never fail to look totally classy and elegant and stand out with their ability for mixing and matching them with other products, especially those by Kingsland themselves.

British brand LeMieux has become a well-known name in the equestrian sport in the last few years. Matchy-matchy sets from head to to combined with innovation and outstanding quality is their recipe for success. Elegant styles in every imaginable colour make LeMieux a real dream for anybody who loves saddle pads a little too much. LeMieux saddle pads are robust and durable and offer extra grip, stability and reinforcement at all needed areas.

Saddle pads at Epplejeck