Why Use a Square English Saddle Pad?

The decision of what sort of saddle pad to pair with your English saddle is an important one. The saddle, and by extension the pad it is fitted with, are paramount to a horse and rider's comfort. Square saddle pads come in a variety of styles, colors and materials and are a popular choice of saddle pad.

  1. Function

    • Square pads are designed to sit between the horse's back and the saddle, protecting the horse from friction and providing a shock absorbing layer between the horse's body and the rider's weight.

    Types

    • Square pads are commonly available in dressage models and all-purpose models, which differ based solely on size and proportion.

    Design

    • Square saddle pads are typically made with 100 percent cotton lining and are stuffed with a polyester blend. Most models also include nylon billet and girth loops. The average all-purpose size square pad measures 22 inches long and 36 inches wide. The average dressage-size square pad measures between 26 and 36 inches long and 40 and 46 inches wide.

    Benefits

    • Square pads are desirable for their multipurpose appeal. They can fit a variety of saddle sizes and shapes. They are also easy to clean, lightweight and widely available for purchase.

    Considerations

    • When it comes to picking a saddle pad for the show ring, the less material or color the better. Square pads, with their excess of fabric, can be considered distracting and can oftentimes cost a horse and rider presentation points. Likewise, square pads are less permissible for saddle-seat horses, who are most commonly shown without any saddle padding whatsoever. For hunter pleasure or jumper horses, a sheepskin or fleece shaped pad in white is most common, and square pads are a less stylish choice.