Is your horse suffering from itching because of using your old saddle pads? Are you new and confused about choosing saddle pads?
If you are a horse rider, then you know how important it is to choose the right wool saddle pad. When it comes to choosing the Best Wool Saddle Pad, there are so many options available. Purchasing the saddle pad can be tricky for beginner riders and even experienced ones.
It doesn’t matter if you have a light-colored horse or dark horse, no matter what color your saddle is, chances are that wool is going to be your best bet.
Today I am here to help you with some of the top wool saddle pads with a thorough research buying guide with some common questions. So, let’s dig into it.
Our Top 5 Pick!
After a couple of hours of research, I have decided to come here with the top 5 Wool Saddle Pads. Let’s have a look, at which is the best one.
1) Montana Natural Wool Saddle Pad
When you are looking for the best quality saddle pads? Montana Saddle Pad can be the perfect choice for your horse. These Pads are 1 inch or 3/4-inch-thick and available in a variety of colors.
The pad can be ordered without piping to allow for easy customization with our piping colors. It comes in a long length so you have the option of tucking it under the flap of your saddle.
But it provides enough support to keep your dog or horse comfortable without having to wrap them in at least two blankets. The wool felt is sewn together to prevent shifting and gives the pad a smooth, comfortable feel.
It is not a problem if you regularly groom your horse or dog using lanolin.
Specification
- Package Dimensions: 30 x 17.5 x 3.5 inches
- Weight: 4 Pounds
- Manufacturer: Southwestern Equine
Features
- It keeps the saddle sweat off your horse’s back and provides the rider with a comfortable sitting spot.
- It allows better movement for your horse in the saddle when compared to other materials.
- The woolen wool pad will not absorb heat as some other materials do.
- This best wool felt saddle pad features a durable oil field leather underside making it less slippery on the saddle.
- This rustic leather is very beautiful with a dark oil finish, smooth hand, and tight grain that improves with age.
What do you like?
Customers like that the wool felt is not stiff and it’s very comfortable for their horses. They also like that the horse or dog’s back stays relatively dry.
You can find them on the web and in pet stores around the country.
What you don’t like?
The Montana saddle pad isn’t as soft as some other wool pads. Smells like natural wool when new, but then goes away after a few washes.
2) Tough1 Pachanga Wool Saddle Pad
The Saddle Pads from Tough 1 are great for riders who want the comfort of a wool pad and the protection of a cotton liner. This saddle pad is made for horses who are in constant motion and need a little extra padding.
This best wool western saddle pad comes in at 4 lbs so you won’t have to worry about your horse feeling weighed down.
This saddle pad is also extremely durable, and it can be machine washed. The contour shape helps keep the pad in place and forms the horse’s body. Your horse will enjoy the extra padding.
The thickness of the wool fibers allows it to keep your horse comfortable while they are working hard or relaxing during their off time.
Specification
- Weight: 3.43 Kilograms
- Weight: 6 Pounds
- Color: Purple/Black
- Size: 36″x34″
- Dimensions: 34 x 18 x 4 inches
- Manufacturer: JT International
Features
- Pachanga Wool Pad has a cotton lining that helps stay in place and not shift on the back of the saddle.
- It’s not as thick as some other saddle pads so your horse will still feel the ground.
- The wool fibers also allow it to absorb sweat, making it more comfortable for your horse.
- It has a thicker cotton lining, which helps it stay in place and not shift on the back of the saddle.
What do you like?
Many users of this product have stated that they like the shape and contour of the pad. It stays in place and doesn’t shift. They also like the material; it has a nice feel to it and doesn’t cause their horse any chafing.
What you don’t like?
Some customers have indicated that this pad is not as thick or padded as they had hoped.
3) Southwestern Elite Wool Saddle Pad
When your need an all-day comfortable pad, the Southwestern Elite saddle pad provides high-performance wicking. This wool pad would be perfect for everyday use or an extra layer of insulation during those frigid winter rides.
So, it will last you for a long time without losing its sheen or giving out on you during use.
And with its breathable wool lining, you won’t have to worry about sweating or getting too warm during those long hot summer days.
But it also has a rugged exterior layer made from 100% Nylon that’s resistant to abrasion. And since it’s fully machine washable, you’ll get plenty of use out of this saddle pad before it needs replacing.
Specification
- Weight: 2.65 Kilograms
- Color: Dessert Rose
- Manufacturer: Southwestern Equine
- Size: 31 x 30
Features
- The Elite pad’s innovative design creates a perfect anatomical fit for the croup.
- It is designed to protect against the pressure sores that often occur from the contact of a saddle.
- The hip helps maintain a good in-ride seating position for your horse.
- It has a suede panel over its spine area for added comfort and protection for your horse’s back.
- This pad is available in multiple sizes to fit almost any rider or horse combination perfectly.
What do you like?
This product is priced very well and definitely gives your horse the best comfort. It feels durable and looks great, especially when you’re showing it around.
They love the quality of the materials and its design that is comfortable for the horse and rider.
What you don’t like?
It does not fit the average size warmblood pony or a pacer, but it fits a dressage horse or lighter-driven hunter perfectly.
4) Classic Equine Wool Saddle Pad
When you have been looking for a new saddle pad, this is the perfect time to buy a Classic wool saddle pad. This wool pad stays in place without moving around as you ride your horse around the barrel pattern.
It provides full arch support, natural wicking and cooling, and easy-to-use buckles straps. You get to enjoy the comfort of an old favorite.
The wickable polyester on the reverse side of the pad allows moisture to quickly evaporate from your horse’s back. So, you can be sure that your horse stays comfortable with this pad.
Your horse will be well protected and will stay warm in this pad. The wool fibers work to keep your horse’s hair smooth and shiny.
Specification
- Color: Blue/Seafoam
- Weight: 3.47 Kilograms
- Manufacturer: Classic Equine
- Dimensions: 32 x 14 x 2 inches
- Size: 32×34 Inch
Features
- Cotton and wool have the same type of fiber technology matching the quality of horse racing.
- It is easy to maintain and fasten using buckled straps that are easy to adjust.
- The pad is easy to clean and can be machine washed with cold water, placed in a mesh bag, wrapped in a towel, and mild soap.
- It fits the horse’s back very well without slipping or moving around the flank area.
- It provides a wide shoulder girth to prevent rubbing and shoulder blades from hurting.
- The pad’s girth strap is designed uniquely with a separate gather around each leg.
- The straps are made of durable polyester and are adjustable in length.
What do you like?
The customers like the simplicity of the design and the secure fit they get from this pad. They also love the wool is of great quality, and it doesn’t hold odors or stains.
The customers can use their horses in any weather because they don’t have to worry about sweating through their pads.
What you don’t like?
The pad presents a problem for horses with high withers because only the top portion of the pad is wool. Also, the straps could be improved.
5) Southwestern Silverado Saddle Pad
Are you looking for a nice 100% wool saddle pad? Southwestern Equine is one of the most comfortable saddle pads that produce some of the finest equine saddle pads on the market today.
From saddles, bridles, and blankets to horse trailers and feed bags, this company never ceases to amaze with its quality and affordability.
This wool saddle pad is contoured in the rear to provide extra support for the arch. It will never allow moisture or sweat to contact your horse’s back, causing discomfort.
This truly is an excellent product, as it will help you lead an enjoyable ride each time you strap your horse into this saddle pad.
Specifications
- Brand: Southwestern Equine
- Weight: 7.21 Pounds
- Dimension: 31 x 15 x 4.1 inches
- Color: Light Grey
Features
- This pad is made of polyester fleece with added foam to provide the saddle with more protection from the tree.
- It has a soft, high-quality nylon sheet with soft and comfortable fibers which are super absorbent and easy to clean.
- The saddle pad is comfy and lightweight and durable enough to resist wear and tear from the horse’s backside.
- This saddle pad also features a 100% wool composition, which will help to keep your horse’s body temperature regulated throughout the year.
- It will also ensure that your horse isn’t going to overheat when you’re riding in the warmer months.
What do you like?
This saddle pad is suitable for use all year round. It also keeps your horse’s back cool on hot summer days. It can be used for cutting, roping, showing, and trail riding as well. This saddle pad can be used on any size horse.
What you don’t like?
It doesn’t dry out as fast as some other wool saddle pads, which could make the price a little bit more expensive.
What Things Do You Need to Consider Before Buying Best Wool Saddle Pads?
When you would like to buy the best wool saddle pads, you need to consider a few things, because there is no point in purchasing a pad that is too big or too small.
Below you will find some of the most important things to keep in mind when buying a wool saddle pad.
What Size Saddle Pad Do I Need?
As you probably know all saddle pads are not made of the same size. Some companies will only sell their pads in a few select sizes, while others offer a wide range of sizes to choose from.
It is best to keep in mind the size of your saddle and make sure it will fit on your horse before you make a purchase.
The heaviest horses require the largest size of saddle pads. Also, consider that some horses have sensitive skin while others do not; so even though they may be at the same weight or weight range, you may be more susceptible to irritation than another.
One saddle pad fitting guide for you!
What Shape Saddle Pad Should I Choose?
You need to find out what shape pad would work best for your horse. For example, if you notice your horse drooling more than usual due to discomfort, you might want to purchase a contoured saddle pad.
This type of pad will go around the withers and shoulders, giving your horse a little extra room in these sensitive areas. It’s also important that you ensure the wool saddle pad doesn’t interfere with the saddle’s fit.
They should fit very snugly to avoid pinching anywhere along with the fitting points of your saddle.
What Materials Are Best in Saddle Pad?
The best wool western saddle pads come from wool, cotton, synthetic, and even memory foam. Amongst them, wool may be the best option, but it’s certainly not the only option. Aside from material type, there are a few other things to consider like how many layers the saddle pad has.
You can purchase one large layer of wool over a thin cotton bottom or 2 layers: one of wool with another layer on top of it.
How Thick Should a Saddle Pad Be?
If you are new, you may be wondering, can a saddle pad be too thick, or not? Choosing the right thickness can mean the difference between comfort and soreness after a long ride.
If your horse is high maintenance, you’ll likely need a thicker pad because they may be sensitive to rubbing and pressure points on their legs.
On the other hand, if your horse has very thin hair, they may need a thinner pad that won’t rub on their sensitive skin, keeping them comfortable over longer periods.
Some horses also have sensitive spots along with their neck or shoulder blades that may not be as prone to rubbing against the top of their saddle as some other areas on their body do.
How To Clean a Saddle Pad?
Although Saddle pads are quite durable and are usually pretty easy to clean, you still need to keep them in good condition over time.
The best way to clean a wool saddle pad is to scrub a wool pad with a curry comb, vacuum, or hose attachment, otherwise use machine wash. Only wash them when they have a lot of dirt, rather than every time that they have been used.
What Is the Difference Between A Saddle Pad and A Saddle Blanket?
Due to their similarities, saddle pads and saddle blankets are popular choices for those that have allergies. While both of these products protect your horse from harsh elements, their composition and texture differ.
While both the materials used in a saddle pad and the materials used in a saddle blanket are made from wool, the main difference is how they are stitched together. To create a saddle blanket, you will use various threads and fabrics. The same can be said for saddle pads as well.
Although a saddle blanket and a saddle pad may be very similar in terms of their composition, they can differ greatly in their protection abilities.
How Do I Keep My Saddle Pad from Slipping?
It may be a bit of a hassle to constantly keep your saddle pad in place. To prevent this from occurring, you should consider buying some Non-Slip Saddle Pads.
These pads are specially designed to work with the area of contact that they have with your horse’s back, ensuring that they stay exactly where they need to be at all times.
If you decide not to purchase one of these non-slip pads, you should always take the time at each stop to double-check that nothing has moved around. You can do it by taking off your saddle and lifting the pad to see if there is any space that is unaccounted for.
Keep in mind that depending on where you spend most of your time, the weight of your horse, and other conditions that can change throughout the day, it may not be as easy to notice.
FAQs
Are Wool Saddle Pads Good?
Since wool absorbs moisture, it’s good to use a wool saddle pad.
It will keep your horse cool when they’re warm and prevent them from overheating by keeping their body temperature down.
Is A Felt or Wool Saddle Pad Better?
Most saddle pads have wool on top, so it may be difficult to determine which one is best for your horse. Felt is quite good for absorbing shock and supple feeling.
Wool has a very high performance to remove moisture but is a bit expensive. So, it’s better for long rides in the winter and hot summer day rides.
Are Wool Saddle Pads Good for Horses?
Wool saddle pads can help protect a horse by keeping them comfortable and providing them with a pleasant appearance.
They are good for horses that are sensitive to synthetic materials because they won’t feel as harsh on their coat or skin as some synthetic materials can.
What Material Is the Best for A Saddle Pad?
If you want something that will keep your horse cool and comfortable during the summer or in warm climates, wool may be your best bet.
It can give your horse protection from things like thorns or sticks along trails, synthetic pads will work best.
Wrap Up
Today, you have learned a lot about the difference between padded saddles and saddle pads. It is important to know what materials are best when it comes to protecting your horse and they will help keep them comfortable while they ride.
The options can be a bit intimidating at first, but once you get started using them, you will feel much more comfortable working with them.
If you ask me to choose the best pick, I will pick one from Montana Natural Wool Saddle Pad or Southwestern Elite Wool Saddle Pad because of their material quality and durability.
My name is Kenneth E. Johnson and I am an equestrian enthusiast. I have a passion for helping others learn more about horses and their care, and I have written extensively on topics such as nutrition, behavior, health, riding, care, etc.
