How to Measure Saddle Pads

The saddle pad is an essential piece of tack designed to distribute saddle and rider weight; plus, it protects your saddle and horse's back. Your horse's comfort is worth finding a saddle and saddle pad combination that works! A variety of saddle pad shapes, materials, and thicknesses are offered to fit different needs and situations. Across all of the riding disciplines, there is a generalized step-by-step process to find the ideal saddle pad size for your saddle. Our crew has put together a guide on how to measure a saddle pad, so you can feel more confident with your choice. This article also addresses some frequently asked questions to offer further insight on saddle pads. Read on to learn more!

First and foremost, measure your saddle to figure out the minimum saddle pad size you will need. Please visit our related article on "How to Measure a Saddle" for further information. Once you have the saddle dimensions, add 4" to each coordinating saddle pad measurement.

Spine: The spine length runs along the top of the saddle pad from front to back. If the saddle pad is contoured, the length measurement typically follows the contour lines of the spine.

Cantle/Seat Width: The cantle width is the side-to-side measurement at the back end of the saddle pad, if laid flat. Think of it as where the saddle seat would go. If referred to as the cantle height, the measurement is taken from the spine down versus side to side. In English saddle pads, this measurement is also considered the back drop.

Pad Length (Drop): The flap length, otherwise known as the drop, refers to the longest point of the saddle pad from the spine to the bottom of the flap. If the saddle pad is laid flat and measured side to side at the flaps, halve the measurement to find the flap length.

Pad Width: The flap width is taken at the widest, or forwardmost, point of the saddle pad flap from front to back.

It is better to have your saddle pad a little too big, as the materials can mat down and shrink a bit over time with use and washing. A saddle pad that is too short in length or width will not properly protect your horse or evenly distribute weight; your horse could be subject to injury and galling! If ordering a new saddle pad online, we suggest you compare any listed saddle pad dimensions to your saddle and horse to better gauge how it will fit prior to purchase.

Half Pads

With half pads, first measure the spine contact area of the saddle. Or, compare the half pad measurements to your saddle's underside. The half pad should evenly support the saddle on your horse's back. Should the half pad have rolls, make sure the saddle padding fits, as the rolls are designed to extend past the saddle. Please exercise caution when adding a half pad if your saddle fits your horse well or if your saddle is slightly narrow for the horse. A half pad that's too thick will add excess bulk and may cause pinching. For more information, read our guide on picking the perfect half pad.

Shims/Inserts

The term shims is interchangeable with inserts, and they can either be pocketed in sections or full length. Shims can be removable or sewn into the saddle area. Shims provide additional support and shock absorption, and they allow you to customize your saddle pad to different horses, saddles, and levels of training. They are typically made out of open-cell or closed-cell foam. Open-cell foam compresses down more, whereas closed-cell foam holds its structure. Keep this in mind when considering the saddle pad thickness.

Liners and Blankets

Saddle pad liners are designed to keep your saddle pad clean from sweat and hair buildup; they may also help prevent your saddle from slipping. Coming in a variety of materials and thicknesses, liners can provide a bit more support for your horse if necessary. Some even offer additional features like a contoured spine, therapeutic benefits, and strategically-placed padding. Along similar lines, saddle blankets may either go on top of or under your saddle pad. Saddle blankets commonly showcase a Western-style print and are typically made from wool or acrylic. Your liner or blanket should be close to, if not the same, size as your saddle pad.

A properly fitting saddle does not require a super thick saddle pad; too padded and the saddle can pinch your horse, too thin and the saddle can rub your horse and cause sore back muscles. Check the saddle's fit on your horse's back without the saddle pad, then again with the saddle pad. Both times, run your hand under and along the horse's back from front to back. Do you feel tightness anywhere, especially at the shoulders? Does the saddle appear balanced, or is it tipping forward or backward? Is the saddle pad extending at least 1–2" past the saddle, all the way around the perimeter? Keep these elements in mind as you not only consider the saddle pad size, but its features as well.

If you are not certain whether your saddle actually fits the horse it is meant for, we highly encourage seeking the professional opinion of a saddle fitter. The saddle pad is meant to work in tandem with your saddle and horse. If the fit isn't quite right, the saddle pad can actually inhibit the function of your saddle and cause discomfort to the horse. A few questions to ask yourself might be:

Q: Does the horse have high withers? Or is the horse more round with mutton withers?

A: Horses with high withers should be in a contoured saddle pad. Saddle pads with a straight spine tend to exert uneven pressure and typically do not lay flush against a high-withered horse's back. On the other hand, a straight saddle pad is more ideal for even contact on a mutton-withered horse with a flat, round back.

Q: Does the horse have asymmetrical muscling or a swayback?

A: If your horse has asymmetrical muscling on one side, we suggest a saddle pad that features shim pockets. This saddle pad type enables you to adjust to your horse's muscle changes over time by switching the shims in and out to evenly support saddle and rider weight. Swayback horses tend to also benefit from saddle pads with inserts. Should the horse have a more extreme dropped back, bridging or swayback saddle pads fill in the gaps at the center of the saddle for better contact and improved support.

Q: Is the horse sensitive or allergic to any materials?

A: Horses that are sensitive, typically those with thinner skin, are at higher risk of getting rubbed and should preferably not be ridden in synthetic saddle pads. Natural materials like sheepskin and felt tend to keep a sensitive horse more comfortable. However, some horses are allergic to a certain material (even natural ones). Sometimes a chemical used in the saddle pad making process, like dye, can irritate a horse, commonly causing hives. Keep a close eye on your horse's behaviors and get them tested if necessary; adjust your saddle pads accordingly!

Q: Is the saddle slightly too wide or narrow for the horse?

A: Many riders have a saddle that is so close to fitting their horse, but they may not be able to adjust the saddle or purchase a better-fitting one for the horse's current state. Since a horse's conformation differs so much based on age, bodyweight, and condition, the saddle and saddle pad combination used on the horse also changes over time. We do not suggest you turn to a saddle pad to fix your saddle fitting problems; however, saddle pads can help with minor saddle fit issues! A saddle pad on the thinner side used with a saddle that's slightly narrow will help prevent additional pressure on the horse's withers. A thicker saddle pad used with a saddle that's slightly wide helps to fill in excess space.

Q: Does the saddle have even contact all the way across the horse's back?

A: If your saddle does have even contact, adding too much padding can potentially counteract your saddle's fit by causing unnecessary tightness. We suggest a saddle pad with a consistent thickness throughout that is supportive enough for the kind of riding you are doing. If the saddle is slightly raised in the front or back, or gaping a bit in the middle, a saddle pad with inserts or shim pockets can help better support you and your horse.

Q: Is the saddle prone to rolling or slipping on the horse?

A: A saddle's tendency to roll or slip tends to be caused by the horse's back shape, an ill-fitting girth or cinch, or an improper fit. This issue can typically be solved with a saddle pad liner, a different cinch or girth, or a different saddle pad. You will likely have to do some trial and error to find what works! A non-slip saddle pad is a great solution to help your saddle stay put. In the end, you want to avoid feeling unbalanced or "perched" on top of your horse's back.

No matter whether you will be hacking in the ring, hitting the trails, or barrel racing, we hope this guide has offered good insight on how to measure for a saddle pad. The saddle pad makes a big difference in your saddle's fit and the horse's overall comfort. Please do your research on proper saddle fit; we also highly recommend you contact a saddle fitter for an evaluation of the saddle on your horse! We invite you to ask our customer service team any additional questions you may have about saddle pads, and please feel free to navigate all of our purchase options below. Happy shopping, and most importantly, happy riding!