On a horse without significant confirmation issues, go with a non-correction pad instead.If you have a really well-fitting saddle, the extra buildup on this pad can shift your saddle too far back and out of position.These pads are especially great for older horses with diminished toplines (e.g.Orthopedic-grade felt is shock absorbent and the 100% virgin wool fleece wicks moisture and heat away from your horse.If you’ve struggled with downhill saddle fit in the past, the BioFit “buildup” helps lift the front of your saddle off the horse’s spine. This contoured pad is specifically designed to help offset confirmation challenges in hard-to-fit horses (e.g.He’s exactly the kind of “confirmation-challenged” horse the Classic Equine BioFit Correction Pad is designed to help. I have a good friend whose first horse was an older Montana Traveller trail buddy with high withers and a sway back. If you’ll be trail riding through thick shrubbery or forestry, twigs, leaves, and burrs stick to felt more than other fabrics.It’s pretty stiff when you start out, but it will “break in” the more you use it.Their wool is also a super strong fiber with high elasticity and resilience, and it “meshes” with your horse’s hair to reduce slippage.It breathes, retains its shape, and doesn’t wrinkle. Wool is slow to feel damp (key on long trail rides) and won’t chill your horse by drying too fast either.Pad features a wither relief cutout and is reinforced with distressed leather.All of their products are made in Rhode Island and are “The Natural Choice” when it comes to contoured wool felt pads.They pride themselves on having prompt, courteous, and professional service–not simply making the sale and moving on to the next customer.Diamond Wool only makes saddle pads, so they’re focused on and dedicated to creating quality wool products.Paying for an equine chiropractic visit and/or massage later will make you wish you’d chosen a better pad in the first place. Pro Tip: Don’t cut corners on your saddle pad just to save your wallet. If you only go out on trails once every blue moon, you can find plenty of affordable options that will still do the job. Cost: If your primary pastime is trail riding, you’ll want to invest in a high-quality saddle pad that’ll hold up for the long run.But if your chosen discipline is English or endurance riding, skip down to the FAQs for trail riding saddle pads specially designed for you. Discipline: Most trail riders use Western gear, so that’s what I’ll cover here.wicks moisture, dries quickly), and sturdy enough not to slip around or compress into a pancake. won’t rip on a low tree branch), weather resistant (e.g. Your saddle pad needs to be durable (e.g. Durability: Riding in a covered arena is very different from braving the elements on the trail.Proper fit, shape, and material all impact whether your horse hits the trail feeling great, or grumpy. Comfort: Comfort should be a BIG consideration when it comes to picking a saddle pad for trail riding.Getting a cheap pad that falls apart or is poorly made will hurt your horse and, by extension, cause negative behaviors that put riders at risk. Safety: If you’ve read other Horse Rookie articles, you won’t be surprised to find safety tops the list.The purpose of the saddle pad is to eliminate friction between your saddle and the horse’s back, provide cushion for horse and rider, relieve pressure points, reduce slipping/shifting/rolling, and disperse weight evenly. (Or, click here to skip to the saddle pad details.) I wrote this article because I’ve been in your boots and want to save you some time and sanity. If you think reading a topographical map or packing (what seems like) everything you own into two little saddlebags is tough, just wait until you try to find the best saddle pad amongst the masses. How to Choose the Best Trail Riding Saddle Pad Tough 1 Ottowa Saddle Pad Heavy Felt Lined.Weaver Leather Synergy Contoured Performance Saddle Pad.Professional’s Choice SMX Air Ride Anza Wool Pad.Southwestern Equine OrthoRide Correction Pad.Here are eight of the best saddle pads for trail riding: With the right pad, your horse will stay cool and comfortable during the trip. Depending on the terrain and conditions, trail riding is physically demanding-especially for your horse. One of the most important pieces of tack on the trail is a quality saddle pad like this Diamond Wood Contour. I know better than to head up a mountain without ensuring my equipment is up for the rough and tough demands of trail riding. Now that I live in Montana instead of the flatland ( errr, I mean Heartland), I’m lucky enough to be invited on trail rides to some pretty majestic places. Make sure your trusty trail steed is covered with the best Western saddle pad
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |