This month we will continue talking about equipment. At our TTR Schools we have the opportunity to look at hundreds of equipment setups.Whether it’s a simple readjustment or a different bit, saddle, curb strap or pad, we are continually amazed at how these changes make big differences in performance. Last month we talked about bridle adjustments, curb straps and bits, and this month we will focus on saddle pads.
There are so many pads to choose from and they can be an expensive investment! Understanding the build of your horse, the fit of your saddle and the performance demands of roping are keys to selecting a pad that will keep your horse comfortable and your saddle balanced.
Natural fiber wool is our material of choice. Wool is durable with a high resistance to compression yet it can be soft and flexible. It also absorbs moisture, aiding in the removal of heat from the horses back! All of these qualities are imperative for roping. When selecting a wool pad be sure to feel the wool. It should feel soft yet resilient! There are many blends and course wool type materials out there. Simply feeling the wool and squeezing it will tell you a great deal. Our pads of choice are from the Best Ever Kush Collection. The wool is the highest quality and for horses with thin skin or ones that show that their hair has been rubbing there is a fleece lined option for added comfort and moisture wicking. Always check the underside of your pads for hair, sweat and dirt buildup as in Photo 1 as this causes rubbing and discomfort. If your pad is getting hard or crusty, when the pad is DRY, curry comb off the mats. It also helps to use a shop vac to remove loose dirt and hair. Also be sure to check your pads for compression spots which can be a sign of poor saddle fit and remember that pads do wear out!
Pad design is huge as well! We prefer a contour design. In Photo 2 you can see the pad on the left is not contoured over the top versus the one on the right. You can also see how the saddle sits up in the front and bridges to the back versus the contoured pad on the right. The contour allows the pad to naturally conform to the horses spine which lets the saddle tree mirror the horse back versus bridging (saddle tree pressure front and rear). Another reason we prefer Best Ever Pads is that they have 3 contour options as well as the Open Wither design that you can see in Photo 2 on the right. We prefer the open wither option for several reasons. First you will never have that pressure point over the top of the wither that most traditional pads cause . No matter how diligent you are in cupping it up into the saddle gullet for airflow and to avoid pressure over the withers, the pad pulls down as you ride. And, for high withered horses the open wither design provides complete wither relief.
In Photo 3 you can see how there is no pressure point on top of the withers and it allows the pad to easily conform to the horses shape with optimal airflow down the spine. We have also found that on round backs it helps to prevent saddle rolling! As you can see the contour and open wither design allows the saddle sit down on the horse which provides a balanced platform to ride and rope from.Often times we see ropers “padding up” their horses, either with layers of pads and/or with buildups. What we have found is that by doing this with no real purpose, especially over the shoulders, it ends up adding more pressure to those areas and sets the saddle off balance (high in the front) pushing the rider to back. If your horse has a sway back, kissing spine or any abnormalities we suggest you send pictures to Best Ever and they will customize a pad for your horse and saddle.
We often see ropers adding layers of pads because they think they are providing more cushion or they don’t want their expensive wool pad to get dirty. This can cause rolling or uneven pressure from the pads not being aligned perfectly. We always recommend using one pad and having the wool or fleece in direct contact with the horse so it can whisk moisture away and conform to the horse. When selecting thickness , our general rule of thumb is that if your saddle fits well and your horse has a full back with good muscle, a 1 inch will work well.” Less pad is more”as they say, for closer contact and fit. If your horse is lacking muscle over the back or the saddle isn’t the ideal fit then a 1 1/4 inch. Also the fleece option for the thin skinned horse or one with signs of hair rubbing. If you like the look of the traditional Navajo, Best Ever can customize with a Kush contour open shoulder as seen with all the pads we use in Photo 4.
We have had the opportunity at every school to make significant improvements in performance by changing out pads. So often we see head horses getting short strided, wringing their tails and not wanting to pull. A simple pad change usually solves this problem. Also saddles pinching the shoulders or sitting up high in the front. This not only creates stacked pressure on the horses front end but it sets the rider back on their pockets making it hard to stay balanced. Good equipment is an investment in comfort, balance and successful performance! Routinely check your equipment and reach out to the folks at Best Ever if you need help with padding and use code TTR! We hope your summer season is going well! Follow us on Facebook and we hope to see you in Arizona this winter!