Of all the pieces of tack used in the equestrian disciplines, saddle pads and blankets are among the most important. If you think about it, riding is an activity that can be accomplished with just the bridle, bit, reins, and pad; bareback riding may not involved a saddle, but it does require a pad in order to reduce the friction between you and the horse. Saddle pads and blankets are designed to keep horses comfortable and healthy, which means that they should be given proper care and maintenance. Depending on the kind of pads you use, they may be durable enough to last a lifetime, but only if you take care of them. A single pad may not last forever unless you keep riding to a minimum, but a couple of pads may actually outlive the horse when they are alternatively used and adequately cared for. The kind of care your horse pads or blankets should be given will largely depend on the materials they are made of. Some of the organic pads, which are invariably considered to be the best option for all riders, are more intricate to maintain in comparison to synthetic pads made of materials such as polar fleece. In general, synthetic textiles tend to be more affordable and durable. Sheepskin and other natural materials tend to cost more and require greater maintenance in order to make them last as long as possible. The Basics of Caring for Horse Pads The first thing to know about horse pads is that they will get wet. Some pads are better than others in terms of absorbing and evaporating the moisture generated by the elements and sweat glands; this is particularly the case with sheepskin and some advanced polyesters, but they will get wet nonetheless. You do not want to stow away any horse pads when they are still wet because this would be an open invitation to mildew and bacterial colonies to form, thus resulting in impregnating odors and mold. Another reason saddle pads and blankets should never be stored when they are wet, especially from sweat, is that the salty moisture will crystallize and cause damage to the fibers. Placing saddle pads out to dry after riding is a crucial aspect of maintenance. Pads should not be left to dry right under intense sunlight; while it is true that sunshine is a good natural disinfectant, you will want to keep direct exposure down to just a few minutes. Air-drying horse pads is the best approach, and this can be accomplished by placing them on a rack that is located in a well-ventilated section of the barn or tack room. Don't forget to turn the pads over so that their wet side is left facing up. Some horse pads and blankets can be thrown in the washing machine at some point, but they should go through an air-drying period beforehand. In addition to the above, here are a few more basic recommendations: Check with the pad manufacturer as to whether machine washing is safe. If you purchased pads from us, you can contact our office to get this information.Investing in a handheld vacuum is a good idea because they are great for sucking up dust, dirt, and hairs.Failure to follow manufacturer care instructions will void the warranties of pads made with natural materials.Brushing off and drying out pads are more important steps of care and maintenance than actually washing them. If you simply let your horse pads and blankets get a few minutes of sunshine before letting them air-dry on a rack, you will have accomplished more than half of the recommended maintenance. Caring for English Pads Compared to their Western counterparts, English pads are pretty easy to maintain. Since the English riding discipline does not involve a lot of long trails, most of the pads are made with cotton or lighter synthetic materials that can be thrown right into the washing machine. You will want to use cold water and select a gentle cycle. Even if your English pads feature heavy padding, you should avoid placing them in a heated dryer; either hang them out to dry or use a centrifuge-only dryer. Don't forget to remove gel inserts from the pads before placing them inside the machine. Synthetic Western Pads Once you have finished riding for the day, you can let the pads and the saddle under the sun for a few minutes while you gather the handheld vacuum and brushes. Since synthetic pads tend to be more resilient, you can brush in more vigorous manner for the purpose of getting as much dirt and dried sweat off as possible. Don't be afraid to use a lot of water when washing synthetic Western pads; you can even hose them off if you want, but you should stop short of using a pressure washer. As for the soaps you can use, we suggest the following: Board of Health Glycerin SoapNon-scented glycerin soapOrganic detergentsAny soap that bears the USDA Certified Biobased Product label Even though synthetic pads will likely withstand being washed with chemical detergents, you should avoid them for the benefit of your horses; the last thing you want is to irritate their skin. If the pads have developed an unpleasant odor, you can add a spoonful of baking soda and a splash of vinegar or lemon juice to the washing machine. Sheepskin and Wool Pads Prior to the age of polyester, polar fleece, and other advanced synthetic materials, sheepskin was the material king of horse pads and blankets. These days, wool and sheepskin are making a major comeback to the equestrian tack scene because they are superior and definitely worth their higher cost. We are also seeing cotton and hemp being used more often by manufacturers of horse tack equipment. The bottom line of natural fibers is that they are better for horses; nonetheless, they will not last as long as their synthetic versions, and their maintenance requires more of your involvement, especially in the case of sheepskin. With sheepskin pads, the first thing you should do is check with the manufacturer as to whether they can be machine-washed. The tanning process of the sheepskin is what determines the level of care the pad will require; in fact, traditional sheepskin pads should not be washed at all. If you find out that your pad is not meant to be washed, you may still have to deal with the odor, which your horse will not really mind, but it can be treated with a spray solution that combines essential oils with vinegar and baking soda. These are the kind of pads that only need to be brushed and air-dried. With sheepskin pads that are made with the full hide, you still have the other side to contend with, and this can be safely washed with saddle soap; just be sure not to get the wooly side wet. These traditional Western pads can use a bit of leather conditioner on the hide. Should you be the owner of sheepskin horse pads or blankets that have been treated for machine washing, you should use cold water, select a light cycle, and use the most gentle and natural detergent you can find. In fact, you might as well use organic shampoo. Avoid throwing sheepskin in the dryer; you would do better to hang it out to dry for a couple of days, but not in the sun. Keep in mind that brushing is more important for horse pads made with natural materials; this is especially the case during spring because this is the season when horses tend to shed more hairs, and you do not want them to stay on natural fibers due to the sweat and greasy residue they accumulate.
