Best Ever Blog – Fleece Saddle Pad Fitting
By Sonja Eschenburg
With customers from all over the country, many who order pads online as opposed to buying them in person, it is the job of Best Ever employees to help these horse owners design and order a saddle pad that correctly fits their horse’s back. Obviously every horse is a little different and requires a little different needs, but with their guidance and 30 years of experience as horsemen, Best Ever employees are able to tell their customers what works best for them and the company.
Every horse is built different, but no matter their structure, it is important to always make sure your saddle and pad fit their backs correctly. Ryan White, one of the owners of Best Ever Saddle Pads, is here today to give a few need-to-know pointers when it comes to finding the right pad.
After throwing on a correctly fitting saddle tighten the cinch just enough to see that this pad also doesn’t push down on the withers of the horse, allows plenty of space in between the gullet to run your hand, or at least three fingers, through, and is big enough to still have an extra inch of room both in front of and behind the saddle.
For horses that are on the bigger end and are built more like a tank, the best way to go is still just a one pad setup. Best Ever Saddle Pads suggests using their ‘Fleesar,’ which is 100% wool on top pad with fleece on the bottom, saddle pad. Just as with most other saddle pads it is a general rule of thumb to throw this pad further up on the horse’s back in a more forward position, to again, prevent any unnecessary friction between the horse’s hair and pad. After saddling up it is easy to see the pad is a nice fit. It sits snug and smooth with no rolling or bunching anywhere beneath the saddle, no pinching down on the withers, and extra space entirely around the saddle.
The one pad setup is becoming more and more popular. Not only does this Fleesar fit most horse’s backs well, but it is also convenient. Often times rodeo athletes are just warming up and then making one quick run at a rodeo or maybe they are even entering up a few times in a jackpot. This pad allows horses to work up a quick sweat before they make their runs.