How to Choose a
Toklat Saddle Pad

Toklat is one of the most trusted saddle pad brands you will see in the arena, at the ranch, or out on the trails. Offering a wide selection of saddle pad shapes, materials, and even inserts, Toklat caters to all equestrian disciplines by focusing on horse and rider performance. Your saddle pad is designed to balance saddle and rider weight, and we know much you rely on it to support your horse's back in order to keep you both comfortable during rides. Being such an integral piece of equipment in your tack arsenal, how do you pick out the best Toklat saddle pad for you and your equine partner's needs? To help you choose, we've created a Toklat saddle pad buying guide that will touch on the factors you should consider to narrow down the options. Follow along as our crew also addresses some frequently asked questions about Toklat!

Saddle Fit

Before you begin your Toklat saddle pad hunt, it is important to ensure you have a properly fitting saddle. While the right Toklat pad can help with minor saddle fit issues, a saddle pad cannot fix the problem of a saddle simply not fitting the horse it's intended for. If you are not confident whether your saddle correctly fits your horse, we always recommend hiring a professional saddle fitter to check it for you! Your saddle pad is meant to work in conjunction with a saddle as a symbiotic pair; both over-padding and not enough padding can put pressure on your horse's back, which leads to other issues. We understand that your horse's conformation will change with age and body condition, so your saddle's fit will need to be adjusted over time—or you'll need a different saddle. You can use different saddle pads with your saddle to accommodate your horse's body changes; however, we will reiterate that your saddle fit should be checked regularly.

WoolBack vs. CoolBack

When deciding whether to purchase a WoolBack or CoolBack saddle pad, there are a few key differences to keep in mind. WoolBack saddle pads are made with 100% genuine wool and therefore have no other color option besides the off-white, in order to keep it natural. If your horse is particularly sensitive to synthetic materials, we would recommend a WoolBack pad. If you want a color on your saddle pad, then CoolBack is the way to go! CoolBack saddle pads are great for horses who might be sensitive to wool, since they are made of 100% polyester fleece that is synthetic and dyed. Both materials offer incredible wicking properties, plush comfort for your horse, increased airflow, and reduced saddle slippage.

Saddle Pad Size and Shape

Once you have decided on the type of material you prefer, it is time to narrow down your Toklat saddle pad search further. The most important points to consider here are the dimensions and style of your saddle. Look for a saddle pad size that allows at least 2" of the pad to extend past the entire perimeter of your saddle; this ensures the weight is evenly distributed across your horse's back. It is handy to have measurements of your saddle ready to go beforehand, so you can compare and better navigate our selection of Toklat saddle pads. Reference the saddle pad sizing chart and keep your horse's back shape in mind; some horses might be short-backed or require higher wither clearance.

Shimmable Saddle Pads

Once you know the material, size, and shape of the saddle pad you need, think about the intensity of riding you will be doing. For example, a rider that's roping or participating in a 50-mile endurance ride could benefit from the additional support and comfort of Toklat T3 Matrix saddle pads. With the shimmable Toklat T3 Matrix style, you can further customize your saddle pad to suit your riding needs. Please note that most Toklat saddle pads include inserts with purchase, while a few do not. The Toklat T3 Matrix Endurance Sport CoolBack Pad and Toklat T3 Matrix Endurance Sport WoolBack Saddle Pad both require inserts to be purchased separately. Be sure you are purchasing the correct insert shape for your Toklat saddle pad!

Other Toklat T3 Matrix saddle pad styles include inserts as well as pockets for additional felt shims (also included). If you are using the same saddle pad with a variety of horse-and-saddle combinations, consider one of these saddle pads to help with conformation and saddle fit.

Types of Inserts

Toklat offers four types of inserts, which provide varying levels of support: FlexForm Memory Foam, Ortho-Impact, Pro-Impact, and Extreme Pro-Impact.

• FlexForm Memory Foam is a great lightweight option for all-purpose training. These inserts can help compensate for mild saddle fit issues, support horses with tender backs, or just provide additional comfort to the rider.
• Ortho-Impact inserts are designed for general schooling and have a thin layer of the XRD Poron with a thicker layer of viscoelastic memory foam for improved shock absorption. These inserts can help with sensitive horses or conformation and saddle-fitting issues.
• Pro-Impact inserts offer a lighter, thinner layer of XRD Poron that also absorbs 90% of impact. These inserts momentarily firm up on impact for better protection during intense training and conditioning.
• Extreme Pro-Impact inserts are made of a thick layer of perforated XRD Poron foam that absorbs 90% of impact. These inserts are only recommended for intensive riding sports.

Q: How do you clean a Toklat saddle pad?

A: WoolBack and CoolBack saddle pads can easily be thrown into the washing machine. Be sure to use a gentle soap and put your Toklat saddle pad through several rinse cycles to ensure there is no leftover soap residue that could irritate your horse. Sweat can build up on Toklat saddle pads over time, especially when not consistently washed. When a Toklat saddle pad becomes matted, you can use a portable pressure washer to clean the sweat off, then hang the pad to dry away from direct sunlight. Be sure you allow enough time for your Toklat saddle pad to fully dry because it can sometimes take a few days, depending on the weather and the thickness of the pad. CoolBack saddle pads can be put into the dryer on the air-fluff cycle on low heat. We do recommend combing your Toklat pad before and after washing to restore its fluff. For further insight on how to care for your Toklat saddle pad, check out our guide on How to Clean Saddle Pads!

Since the WoolBack and CoolBack products are fluffy, they tend to pick up stickers and other debris when dropped on the ground, so take precaution! Be sure to check the underside of your Toklat saddle pads before riding to ensure there is no foreign matter in the wool or synthetic fleece that could potentially make your horse uncomfortable.

Q: What is the best thickness for a Toklat saddle pad?

A: Toklat's saddle pads are anywhere from 1" to 3" thick. When a well-fitting saddle is on a horse with good body conformation, less padding is better. A round, mutton-withered horse also needs a more close-contact fit to better prevent the possibility of the saddle rolling. If you have a saddle that's a little bit too wide or a horse with conformation points that need to be compensated for (think swayback or asymmetrical muscling), a thicker Toklat saddle pad—particularly one with inserts—could help. The width of the saddle pad will slightly compress with continued use, but this won't negatively impact its performance.

There are a lot of factors to keep in mind when it comes to how thick your saddle pad should be, including saddle fit and what kind of riding you do. Many equestrians are prone to over-padding their horses, which inhibits the horse's movement and can impede upon their musculoskeletal health due to an ill saddle fit caused by a too-thick saddle pad. We encourage you to do your research and use your best judgment to determine the ideal saddle pad thickness for you and your equine companion!

Q: Which inserts should I choose for my Toklat T3 Matrix saddle pad, if any?

A: With your existing saddle pad, pay close attention to your horse's behavior and run your hand along their back after each ride to check for tenderness. Is their back sore at all? If yes, double-check how your saddle fits your horse on their bare back. Once any saddle fit problems are ruled out, determine whether your horse needs the additional support Toklat inserts provide. If you're experiencing minor saddle fit issues or your horse is simply tender-backed, the FlexForm and Ortho-Impact inserts could help. Take into consideration the level of intensity you are riding at, as equestrians in performance riding sports could benefit from the shock and impact-absorbing properties of the Pro-Impact and Extreme Pro-Impact inserts.

Toklat saddle pads are very versatile; they provide the plushness and breathability many riders are looking for in order to keep their horse comfortable during rides. Toklat will help put your mind at ease, because you know your equine will be cool and supported while under saddle. We hope this buying guide shed some light on what Toklat has to offer. Should you have any questions regarding our selection of Toklat saddle pads, please do not hesitate to contact our customer service team at 1-(800)-620-9145 or info@ridingwarehouse.com. Happy riding!