Western Pads

Which pad is suitable for a Western saddle?

Unlike saddle pads for dressage and jumping saddles, Western pads are thickly padded because they have to compensate for the lack of padding on the Western saddle. Most Western pads are made of felt, woven fur or sheepskin - materials that have good cushioning properties. Western pads made of chloroprene rubber can also be used for Western riding. Since the Western saddle cannot be adjusted if the horse's muscles change, a correction pad can be used that has inserts. For horses with pronounced withers, a Western pad with cutout is recommended, which you can buy in our online shop.
Furthermore, Western pads ensure good temperature regulation under the heavy Western saddle and prevent heat build-up. The materials mentioned above also have good to very good moisture absorption properties.
In addition to the material, the thickness of the pad is also important for good shock absorption. A common thickness is 2 to 3 cm, but sheepskin pads can be up to 5 cm thick due to the material. When choosing the thickness, consider the horse's level of training, the fit of the saddle and the material of the pad.
If you are riding at a Western show, you will like to use a colourful, patterned Western blanket to complete the show outfit. This is so thin that it does not provide any padding, which is why it should only be underlayd with a thinner pad (approx. 1.27 cm) or a pad liner. At Kramer Equestrian you can buy Western blankets in a variety of colours and patterns.
You can find more detailed information on equipping a Western horse in our guide on Western riding.

Which Western pad is suitable for horses with a short back?

Both Western saddles and Western pads are often very long, which can be a problem when choosing for horses with short backs or ponies. If the pad is too long, it restricts the horse's range of motion by causing the pad to bump against the shoulder or hip. Short pads or Western pads that are shorter than 77cm are suitable for this case. Western pads that are lined with padding and soft around the edges can also provide more comfort for horses with short backs.
Kramer Equestrian has Western pads with a length of 75cm for horses with short backs.

What is the minimum length of a Western pad?

The length of the Western pad should fit the horse as well as the saddle itself. The skirts must not rest on the edge of the pad, which can lead to punctual pressure. For the correct length of the Western pad, the 5-centimetre rule can serve as a guide. The pad should protrude about five centimetres both in front of and behind the saddle, i.e. it should overhang the saddle by a total of 10cm. Keep in mind that despite breathable materials, heat is generated under the pad. The longer the pad, the more of the horse's back is covered, which heats up as a result.
If you like to go on long horse treks with your Western saddle and want to attach saddle bags, you should also consider the length of the Western pad. To protect the horse, saddle bags should not lie directly on the back without padding. A longer pad would therefore make sense for horse trekking.

Which Western pad is anatomically shaped?

An anatomical shape is also important for a Western pad so that it does not press on the withers. For this reason, a Western pad must be pulled into the gullet in the same way as saddle pads. It should follow the curve of the horse's back. As horses have different withers and different shaped backs, anatomically shaped Western pads are offered with withers cut at different heights.
At Kramer Equestrian you will find a wide range of anatomically shaped Western pads. For horses with particularly high withers, we have Western pads with a cut-out at the withers.