What is a Saddle Cloth and why should you use one?

Saddle cloths come in a great many shapes, colours, and materials for a variety of disciplines and reasons. It can be hard to know which is right for you or even what they are for. If you don’t know what a saddle cloth is, here is a great place to start. In this blog, The Saddle Bank will be guiding you through the answers to common questions such as; “What is a saddle cloth?”, “Why are there different types of saddle cloth?”, and “Why should you use a saddle cloth?”, so read on to find out more!

If you are still a bit confused about which saddle or any saddle related product is best for you why not get in touch with our friendly customer support team. Via phone on 01733 301 488 or email info@thesaddlebank.com. Our lovely team are always happy to help as much as they can and provide you with the information you need to make the best decision for you and your horse.

What is a saddle cloth?

A saddle cloth, also referred to as a saddle blanket, or saddle pad; is a piece of material placed underneath the saddle on a horse’s back. They help to protect your horse’s back from the saddle by acting as an extra cushioning layer and will prevent rubbing.  They also absorb the sweat that the horse exerts during exercise, which in turn prevents your saddle from degeneration, and keeps the sweat off of the horse’s skin. Saddle pads are a buffer layer between the horse and the saddle.

Why are there different types of saddle cloth?

Different disciplines may require you to use a certain shape of saddle cloth. for example, in showing typically judges like the cut of the saddle pad to follow the shape of the saddle as closely as possible, to be virtually invisible on the horse, so they can see as much of the horse unobstructed as they can. A saddle cloth that follows the shape of a saddle is often called a numnah. Some saddle cloth shapes will be dictated by the cut of the saddle for which they are made to suit. A dressage-cut saddle cloth will follow the straight cut of a dressage saddle. Whereas a jump or event saddle will be cut much further forwards, and will require a saddle cloth that follows the forwards knee rolls.

You may find that the part of the saddle pad that sits closer to the cantle in front of the knee rolls is more padded. This is something saddle cloth manufacturers often do to help secure the saddle cloth in place, so that it doesn’t slip underneath the saddle and cause discomfort. If you find that your saddle cloth is slipping continuously under your saddle this may be a saddle fit problem or might be a sign that you need to experiment with different types of saddle pads to find the right one. The Saddle Bank recommend in this case having a chat with a qualified saddle fitter so that you have the best advice for your situation.

Different disciplines

Depending on the exercise demands of your horse. You may have a preference for the type of material for your saddle pad. For instance, if you are riding a horse in an endurance competition where they are likely to sweat a lot; you will want to avoid materials that hold onto heat and don’t allow your horse’s back to breathe. Otherwise your horse may show signs of overheating. Some synthetic materials retain a lot of heat. Whereas natural fibres such as wool fleece may be a better alternative. Or a pad where the spine of the material (which doesn’t bear any weight under the channel of the saddle) is made of mesh. When competing, check with your show organisers that your saddle pad follows the rules before you go if you are unsure.

Traditionally when competing in dressage, saddle cloths would only be white. Recently a greater variety of muted tones have been found acceptable with certain governing bodies. Western saddles use a completely different type of saddle cloth altogether to English saddles. They are more of a padded blanket specifically shaped to accommodate the size and fit of a western saddle. You can find saddle cloths in literally any colour you can think of; and if you don’t have any restrictions such as the aforementioned for competition, you can have a lot of fun with it.

Matchy Matchy

There are whole communities of people who have a passion for collecting saddle cloths in every colour, or “Matchy Matchy” tack as it is commonly referred. Most brands of saddle cloth will offer a variety of pads to help you choose a pad that is right for your horse. If your horse has high withers for example, you should look for options that have good wither relief so that the saddle cloth isn’t adding unnecessary pressure to the horse’s withers. Even if your horse has a relatively flat back, it’s always a good idea to use a saddle cloth that follows the contours of your horse’s spine for optimum comfort. ensure your pad is big enough for your saddle so that the weight of the saddle isn’t resting on the edge of the pad which could cause discomfort.

Thickness

Different thicknesses of pads are available. For example thicker memory foam pads and thinner cotton pads. These thicker pads can be a help or sometimes a hindrance; we at The Saddle Bank recommend checking with a qualified saddle fitter, to be sure you are not altering the fit of your saddle by using a saddle cloth which is too thick. On the other hand, a thick saddle pad can increase comfort by providing an extra shock absorbing layer on your horse’s back.

In recent years more brands have developed a greater range of materials. Each with their own unique benefits for added comfort, breathability, durability, and sustainability. A popular material to help wick away moisture while being breathable and comfortable for your horse is bamboo; but there are all manner of materials and fibres to choose from.

Why should you use a saddle cloth?

As we discussed earlier, we have at The Saddle Bank always recommended using a saddle cloth under your saddle. This is most importantly to protect your horse’s back. It will also absorb the horse’s sweat and provide a barrier to protect your saddle from excessive wear and deterioration. Saddle cloths, like all tack, should be regularly washed and maintained, for more information about caring for your saddle cloth, check out our earlier blog here. Regardless of how well your saddle fits, we at The Saddle Bank know that a saddle cloth is an important piece of tack and should be a part of every rider’s arsenal.

What pad is best for my horse just coming into work?

If you need guidance on deciding on a pad to help after an injury, or during rehabilitation with your horse where your horse’s muscle coverage or mobility needs may require special consideration, check out our earlier blog on riser pads here.