Make sure your trusty trail steed is covered with the best Western saddle pad
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. I know better than to head up a mountain without ensuring my equipment is up for the rough and tough demands of
One of the most important pieces of tack on the trail is a quality saddle pad like this Diamond Wood Contour. Depending on the terrain and conditions,
Here are eight of the best saddle pads for
- Diamond Wool Contoured Felt Ranch Pad
- Classic Equine BioFit Correction Pad
- Southwestern Equine OrthoRide Correction Pad
- Professional’s Choice SMX Air Ride Anza Wool Pad
- Weaver Leather Contour Pad
- SaddleRight Western Square Pad
- Weaver Leather Synergy Contoured Performance Saddle Pad
- Tough 1 Ottowa Saddle Pad Heavy Felt Lined
A happy horse makes for happy trails!
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Best Western Saddle Pads for Trail Riding
| Pad | Usage | Quality | Cost |
| Diamond Wood Contour | All horses All trail levels | Mid-range | $ |
| Classic Equine BioFit Correction Pad | High-wither horses Confirmation issues Saddle fit issues All trail levels | Mid-range | $$ |
| Southwestern Equine OrthoRide Correction Pad | High-wither horses Confirmation issues Saddle fit issues All trail levels | Lower-end | $$ |
| Professional’s Choice SMX Air Ride Anza Wool Pad | All horses All trail levels | Mid-range | $$ |
| Weaver Leather Contour Pad | All horses All trail levels Light trail use | Lower-end | $ |
| SaddleRight Western Square Pad | All horses All trail levels | High-end plus lifetime guaranty | $$$ |
| Weaver Leather Synergy Contoured Saddle Pad | All horses All trail levels | Mid-range | $$ |
| Tough 1 Ottawa Saddle Pad Heavy Felt Lined | All horses All trail levels | Lower-end | $ |
Before we dig into the details for each one, let’s talk about 5 key considerations that go into picking the perfect pad.
Before you head out, read our Happy Trails Gear Guide: What to Wear Horseback Trail Riding.
How to Choose the Best Trail Riding Saddle Pad
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. I wrote this article because I’ve been in your boots and want to save you some time and sanity.
Let’s start at the beginning. (Or, click here to skip to the saddle pad details.)
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.
Buying a saddle pad for trail riding :
- Safety: If you’ve read other Horse Rookie articles, you won’t be surprised to find safety tops the list. 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.
- Comfort: Comfort should be a BIG consideration when it comes to picking a saddle pad for
trail riding . Proper fit, shape, and material all impact whether your horse hits the trail feeling great, or grumpy. - Durability: Riding in a covered arena is very different from braving the elements on the trail. Your saddle pad needs to be durable (e.g. won’t rip on a low tree branch), weather resistant (e.g. wicks moisture, dries quickly), and sturdy enough not to slip around or compress into a pancake. #goodforeatingnotforriding
- Discipline: Most trail riders use Western gear, so that’s what I’ll cover here. But if your chosen discipline is English or endurance riding, skip down to the FAQs for
trail riding saddle pads specially designed for you. - 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. If you only go out on trails once every blue moon, you can find plenty of affordable options that will still do the job.
Pro Tip: Don’t cut corners on your saddle pad just to save your wallet. Paying for an equine chiropractic visit and/or massage later will make you wish you’d chosen a better pad in the first place.
Packing a horse trailer is no easy task. Check out our The Ultimate Packing & Horse Trailering Checklist.
Diamond Wool Contoured Felt Ranch Pad
It’s also contoured with wither relief and genuine wool felt that’s made in America.
Click to see it at Amazon
Pros:
- Diamond Wool only makes saddle pads, so they’re focused on and dedicated to creating quality wool products.
- They pride themselves on having prompt, courteous, and professional service–not simply making the sale and moving on to the next customer.
- All of their products are made in Rhode Island and are “The Natural Choice” when it comes to contoured wool felt pads.
- Pad features a wither relief cutout and is reinforced with distressed leather.
- Wool is slow to feel damp (key on long trail rides) and won’t chill your horse by drying too fast either. It breathes, retains its shape, and doesn’t wrinkle.
- Their wool is also a super strong fiber with high elasticity and resilience, and it “meshes” with your horse’s hair to reduce slippage.
Cons:
- It’s pretty stiff when you start out, but it will “break in” the more you use it.
- If you’ll be
trail riding through thick shrubbery or forestry, twigs, leaves, and burrs stick to felt more than other fabrics.
Read customer reviews on Amazon
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Classic Equine BioFit Correction Pad
Click to see it at Amazon
He’s exactly the kind of “confirmation-challenged” horse the Classic Equine BioFit Correction Pad is designed to help.
Pros:
- This contoured pad is specifically designed to help offset confirmation challenges in hard-to-fit horses (e.g. high withers, narrow shoulders).
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. - Orthopedic-grade felt is shock absorbent and the 100% virgin wool fleece wicks moisture and heat away from your horse.
- These pads are especially great for older horses with diminished toplines (e.g. sway back).
Cons:
- 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.
- On a horse without significant confirmation issues, go with a non-correction pad instead. “Don’t fix it if it ain’t broken!”
Read customer reviews on Amazon
One of the best
trail riding destinations is Montana. Read about the 10 Best Horseback Riding Vacations in Montana.
Southwestern Equine OrthoRide Correction Saddle Pad
Click image to view on Amazon
For longer, harder, more frequent rides, it’s worth investing in a higher-end pad that’ll last longer under tough conditions.
Pros:
- If you’ve got a hard-to-fit horse (or a saddle that is “just OK”), this contoured pad can help.
- This pad supports high withered horses (e.g. clearance and no painful rubs) and younger trail mounts who may be less developed in their shoulders.
- PORON-RXD™ located under the saddle bars has a shock absorbency of 90%. That makes a huge difference on long, hard trail rides.
- Southwestern Equine is a family-owned and operated business comprised of horse owners, riders, and competitors. They exist to provide quality horse products at more affordable prices, so this is a great starter pad if you’re new to
trail riding . - This brand also offers variations in flashier saddle blankets, as well as show pads.
Cons:
- While it’s good quality for the price, don’t expect this pad to last as long or be as high quality when it comes to stitching or skirting as the higher-end options on the list.
- On a horse without significant confirmation issues, go with a non-correction pad instead.
- Depending on your horse’s shape and saddle fit, there can be some slippage.
Read customer reviews on Amazon
Professional’s Choice El Dorado Air Ride Felt Pad
Click image to view on Amazon
Pros:
- This Comfort-Fit pad is contoured to protect your horse’s spine and encourage a full range of motion.
- The Air Ride core uses the same materials you’ll find in human athlete protective gear.
- A natural cooling system lowers your horses’ body temperature on the trail and reduces fatigue. (Read: On your way back to the trailer!)
- The felt underside grips your horse to prevent slippage and increases the life of your pad.
- This pad has really fun designs (I love the Black/Mint combo!) if you like to make a statement on the trail versus looking more utilitarian.
Cons:
- If you’re looking for an extra long drop (a.k.a. longer sides), you may find this pad (38”) to be too short for your liking.
- This isn’t a “correction pad” geared specifically to high-withered horses or those with sway backs, so go with one of the previous two pads if your horse has those issues.
Read customer reviews on Amazon
Weaver Leather Contour Pad
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Pros:
- Merino wool underside is cushioning and wicks away moisture, which is key if you’re
trail riding for several hours (or longer). - This pad is mildew and mold resistant and easy to clean.
- The “Herculon” fabric top is specifically designed to stand up to long days on the trail. (Plus it’s easy to remove burrs, twigs, and leaves you brush past as you ride.)
- This pad has a contoured fit that minimizes saddle roll and protects the spine.
Cons:
- This pad has a shorter drop (i.e. shorter sides) at 32”, so if you want a longer drop go with the SaddleRight pad (item #1 on this list that goes up to 36”).
- If your horse has particularly high withers, go with one of the correction pads instead.
- The quality and longevity of this pad are less than the higher-end options above. Don’t expect this pad to hold up to long daily trail rides for a decade.
Read customer reviews on Amazon
All day comfort starts with the right boots. See our 16 Best Cowboy Boots.
SaddleRight Western Square Pad
When I bought my reined cow horse, I asked my trainer which pad would be versatile enough for reining, cow work, roping, and
Three years later, this is still my main Western saddle pad. It’s held up great after many miles in the saddle.
Pros:
- These contoured pads offer the highest level of protection, comfort, range of motion, and wither relief (without a cutout over the wither).
- Their Core material allows your horse’s muscular system to rebound and rebuild more quickly, while fully protecting the back. (Bah-bye muscle atrophy!)
- The unique orthopedic material is securely encased in a leather or wool cover, and they guarantee your pad will not compress or deform in any way FOR LIFE.
- They only use real pressed wool felt and top grain Leathers, and the craftsmanship is top-of-the-line.
- The pad’s thinner design helps eliminate saddle roll (Western pads are 5/8 standard and the Legacy is ¾), so you get all the protection you need with less bulk.
- SaddleRight has been in the saddle pad business for more than 30 years (all pads are made in the USA), and pads are all they focus on. So these folks really know their stuff!
- You won’t find better warranties anywhere. They offer 30 days unconditional, one-year workmanship, and the only Trade Back Program in the industry. That means you can get a brand new pad (any style/color) anytime for 50% of the retail price when you turn in your old pad. This is what really tipped the scales for me to buy this pad.
Cons:
- If you love flashy designs and colors, you may find this brand too plain for your tastes. But, they offer 20 different suede colors and 5 leather colors–so you can do a lot of combinations. (I got a black pad and tan wear leathers, so it goes with everything.)
- While I really like the ¼” felt liner for keeping my pad clean, it never quite lines up with the pad (i.e. it sticks out a bit under the pad). I may end up cutting it down to size myself, but so far it hasn’t bothered me enough… to bother.
Read customer testimonials and SaddleRight FAQs
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Weaver Leather Synergy Contoured Performance Saddle Pad
Click to see it at Amazon
Pros:
- Weaver Leather produces handcrafted equine supplies designed to suit your budget and optimize your horse’s performance.
- Pad features a leather spine that lifts the pad away from your horse’s back, increasing airflow and reducing rubs.
- The shock-absorbing pad is made from EVA sport foam, which is compression resistant, lightweight, and has proven orthopedic attributes.
- The handwoven New Zealand wool topper features top-grain leather sections that reduce wear and increase durability.
- Suitable for horses with a narrow build and high withers.
Cons:
- This thick pad may prove too hot for summer trail rides and could add too much bulk if you’ve got a close-fitting saddle.
- Felt shock-absorbing pad may become nubby with use and could cause rubs where those nubs are in contact with the horse’s back.
Read customer reviews on Amazon
Tough 1 Ottawa Saddle Pad
Click to see it at Amazon
Pros:
- Tough 1 is known for producing affordable yet durable products.
- This pad is thicker and heavier than most, so can provide the necessary bulk needed by older horses and those that struggle to maintain a topline.
- Felt lining reduces pressure points.
- Tough and durable.
- Lower price range.
Cons:
- This pad is so thick and heavy that children will struggle to get it into their horse’s backs!
- Although thick and durable, this felt pad isn’t particularly breathable and could prove too hot and heavy for summer trail rides, especially in a hot climate.
Read customer reviews on Amazon
Saddle Pad FAQs
Q: What are the best English trail riding saddle pads?
Most trail riders prefer Western tack, but there are still plenty of folks out there in English saddles. If you’ll be
- Intrepid International Trail Pad (view details on Amazon)
- TuffRider Trail Pad (view details on Amazon)
- Derby Originals Quilted Pad with Pockets (view details on Amazon)
- Or use your regular pad with a SaddleRight half pad over the top
Note: Remember that Western-style saddlebags won’t work for you, so pick up an English cantle bag like this to put supplies in while you ride.
Q: What are the best endurance trail riding saddle pads?
- Intrepid International Endurance Pad (view details on Amazon)
- Diamond Wool Endurance Contoured Felt Pad (view details on Amazon)
- Tough1 Contour Endurance Pad (view details on Amazon)
- SaddleRight also makes a great endurance saddle pad (see details)
Q: What are the best treeless saddle pads?
- TackRus Western Endurance Treeless Pad (view details on Amazon)
- SaddleRight makes a treeless saddle pad (view details)
Q: What are the best saddle pads for horses overall?
- If you’re a Western rider, we recommend the Diamond Wool Contoured Felt Ranch Pad. This company solely focuses on saddle pads, so its expertise runs deep. Their ranch pad includes a wither relief cutout reinforced with leather for longevity, as well as a contoured cut along the back of the pad.
- If you’re an English rider, we recommend the Weatherbeeta All Purpose Saddle Pad. It fits most saddles and horses, the construction is high quality, and they come in a variety of fun colors.
Q: What’s the best wool saddle pad?
You can’t go wrong with the Diamond Wool Contoured Felt Ranch Pad. These wool felt pads are made in the USA, and you can clean them using a simple curry brush and/or damp cloth and soap.
Wool pads are great because they won’t chill your horse if the pad gets wet with sweat after a long day on the trail.
Q: What’s the best saddle pad for ranch work?
You already know what we’re going to say! The Diamond Wool Contoured Felt Ranch Pad is the way to go.
This pad holds up to long days of riding, it’s contoured for your horse’s comfort, and it looks great with any color and style of Western tack.
Source: Canva
Q: What’s the best saddle blanket?
A saddle blanket is thinner and placed over the top of a saddle pad. Often, you’ll see riders add a colorful saddle blanket over their regular pad for competitions.
The Tough 1 Sierra saddle blanket is a top choice and comes in a wide range of beautiful colors. The traditional Navajo pattern is the perfect finishing touch to any show tack set!
Q: What’s the best endurance saddle pad?
The Diamond Wood Contoured Endurance Saddle Pad is a popular option, and it offers higher comfort for the horse’s spine and withers. It also stays warm when sweater thanks to the wool felt material.
Q: What’s the best saddle for trail riding ?
- For Western riders, a solid option is the Circle Y Omaha Flex-Lite Trail Saddle. Designed for stability, weight distribution, and rider comfort, this saddle comes in a range of sizes and includes 3-way adjustable in-skirt rigging.
- For English riders, check out the EquiRoyal Comfort Trail Saddle. It’s lightweight, has a comfy padded seat, includes dee rings to tie on your saddle bags and other supplies, and features a medium tree.
Q: What are the best saddle pad brands for Western riders?
- Diamond Wool: They specialize in high-quality wool felt saddle pads that are made in the USA.
- Classic Equine: They made several pads for “confirmation-challenged” horses.
- SaddleRight: Their contour pads are designed for top protection, comfort, and range of motion. Plus, they’re guaranteed not to compress for life!
Q: What are the best saddle pad brands for English riders?
- Le Mieux: This brand is known for its breathable and fashionable saddle pads. Lots of fun colors!
- WeatherBeeta: Mesh spine panels and moisture-wicking fabric make this brand a popular choice for saddle pads.
- Horze: Quality construction, horse comfort, and beautiful finishes explain why so many riders love Horze pads.
Source: Canva
Q: What else do I need for trail riding ?
Check out our article about what to wear trail riding and the
Apparel
- Helmet
- Shirt(s)
- Pants
- Rain jacket or slicker
- Jacket
- Boots (spurs if you’re experienced)
- Change of clothes for once you return
- Belt
- Gloves
- Half chaps or full chaps
- Cowboy hat / Baseball hat for rest breaks
(See our article about what to wear
Tack
- Halter (ideally a trail halter like this that fits under the bridle or in a saddle bag)
- Saddle
- Saddle pad
- Saddle cushion (I love love the Tush Cush for English and Western saddles!)
- Bridle
- Breast Collar
- Saddlebags (I have these Cashel saddle bags, and I love the insulated side for my drinks and lunch.)
- Grooming tote
- Fly mask
Other Gear
- Water
- First aid kit (I keep this mini kit in my saddle bags.)
- Neck gaiter
- Chapstick
- Cell phone
- Sunscreen
- Sunglasses
- Snacks/food
- Fly spray
- Bug spray
- Hay net / Hay bag
- Cell phone holster (This is the one I use and LOVE.)
- Safety whistle
- Pocket knife
- Bear spray
- Satellite phone
- Solar charger for cell phone
- Medical ID bracelet
- Helmet cooling inserts
- … And your horse!
Q: What about using saddle shims?
Shims are designed to adjust the fit of your saddle or make it more level. Though some riders like using them, the best strategy is to get a saddle and pad that fit your horse well without shims.
If you’re
Q: How thick should a trail-riding saddle pad be?
More isn’t always better when it comes to saddle pad thickness, and you shouldn’t add thicker and thicker pads to compensate for a poorly fitting saddle.
Overly-thick pads roll and shift more easily, and your goal should be finding a saddle and pad that can fit snuggly (and WELL) to your individual horse. You shouldn’t need a pad thicker than ¾” or 1”.
Q: Is a felt or wool saddle pad better?
Felt pads, which are made from wool, are a good option. They are flexible and soft, and they wick moisture better than other materials. Felt also dissipates heat evenly and can allow for a better saddle bit by helping disperse weight.
However, felt pads can be made from synthetic materials as well as wool, creating a blend. Beware of cheaper felt pads, as the percentage of wool may be lower, limiting the advantageous properties.
A quality wool saddle pad is a great option. Wool has natural moisture-wicking properties, can hold up for many years, and also provides cushioning between the horse and the saddle.
Wool fibers are twisted in shape, which also acts almost as Velcro, helping the saddle pad “stick” to your horse. The nature of wool fiber will also help the pad retain its thickness over time. Generally speaking, wool pads, while expensive, are one of the better choices on the market for Western riders.
A Navajo pad is one style of saddle pad used with Western saddles. They are tightly woven from wool and usually feature beautiful colors and intricate designs.
These saddle pads were a great way to add comfort (and style) beneath increasingly heavy Western saddles in the mid-late 1800s.
Many of the older Navajo pads are found hanging from walls or displayed in museums, as they are truly works of art.
While many authentic options are available (some for as much as $1500), other companies make versions for as little as $15, like the Dura-Tech Woven Navajo Western Saddle Blanket.
Tally ho, trail boss!
Trail riding should be enjoyable for you and your horse. A quality saddle pad that’s comfortable, durable, and safe will help make your next trail ride one to remember–for all the right reasons.
P.S. Enjoy this article? Trot on over to:
- Happy Trails: What to Wear Horseback Trail Riding
- Cushy Tushy: 7 Most Comfortable Trail Saddles
- 10 Best Horse Breeds for
Trail Riding in Tranquility - Ultimate Horse Packing & Horse Trailering Checklist
- Cinched, Not Pinched: 8 Most Comfortable Girths for Horses
- Ultimate Beginner’s Guide to Horseback Trail Riding at Night
- Herm Sprenger Bit Review (Turnado Loose Ring Snaffle)
- Mission Impossible: Teaching Your Horse to Trail Ride Alone
- 7 Best Stirrups for
Trail Riding in All-Day Comfort
