Wool blanket vs cushion pad

BitsnBits · 06-20-2008, 10:56 AM

I read somewhere that natural wool saddle blankets are the best thing to use. They wick away the sweat better, fit better and don't cause pressure points? I have a cushioned pad with wool/synthetic top. But the article said the cushions don't allow sweat to be wicked away from the skin, even the open cell. I don't remember what brand I have, it wasn't cheap though. Just wondering what everyone thinks about this.

Dusty1979 · 06-20-2008, 01:09 PM

Have you seen this article? Maybe it will clear some things up for you.

I've used many different styles of pads over the years, and find that the natural wool works the best. I have one of these 5 Star pads on order now in the 1/2" width, hoping that it works with the saddle I want to use it with.

That's the trick when saddle fitting also. Don't put too much pad under a saddle that hopefully fits your horse well. You'll only make the horse "wider" and the saddle "narrower".

I know a lot of people who use and like the "waffle" neoprene pads, but they must enjoy seeing the sweat running down off the horse's back. They also claim that the horse's back stays dryer. I've never used neoprene for a saddle pad because I just couldn't see where that wouldn't trap a lot of heat under the saddle.

This is also why saddles should have real wool fleece lining. The wool grabs the blanket/pad better than the synthetic and also helps to dissipate the heat.

Hope I didn't confuse you further. It's like anything else, what works for one doesn't work for another and we all have our likes and dislikes. All I can do is give my opinion.

BitsnBits · 06-20-2008, 01:23 PM

that's the exact article I read. so did you just order one or was there a retailer in your area? and which one is natural, the brown one or the gray one?

Dusty1979 · 06-20-2008, 05:44 PM

There is a dealer about 15 miles from me, so I ordered through them (Noble Saddle).

I don't have it yet, so I can't give you a review on it. I'm not liking the saddle that I was thinking I would use it under so really don't know what I'm going to end up doing. My horse has to have the final say!

I'm getting what this gal calls the light contour. It is for a flatter withered horse or mule. You would get their normal contour for a decent withered horse. And, they will cut a different size if you want at no charge (I was going to go with a 29" length, then decided to stick with the 30").

The gray would be the natural color at no extra cost. You pay extra for the colors. Luckily, I like the natural color - one place I could save a little since I'm so good at finding other places to throw it away! LOL

Fire · 06-20-2008, 05:51 PM

I wish I could afford a 5-star pad. But I have a 3 layer wool/felt/fiber blend saddle and it is great at wicking sweat (my horse is nearly dry when I take it off of him) and it also doesn't really trap heat.

The neoprene...ick. Try wrapping neoprene around some part of your body and running around...it probably feels disgusting and doesn't help the heat/sweat issue. Neoprene pads were made by people who don't know much about horses. I think they were chosen as a pad material because it is soft and squishy...but for ventilation it is HORRIBLE. Ick. I wouldn't use one if you paid me.

Wool or felt is the best.

06-20-2008, 10:56 AM	#1
BitsnBits Full Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: TX Posts: 60 Images: 32	Wool blanket vs cushion pad I read somewhere that natural wool saddle blankets are the best thing to use. They wick away the sweat better, fit better and don't cause pressure points? I have a cushioned pad with wool/synthetic top. But the article said the cushions don't allow sweat to be wicked away from the skin, even the open cell. I don't remember what brand I have, it wasn't cheap though. Just wondering what everyone thinks about this. __________________ I have not yet begun to defile myself.

06-20-2008, 01:23 PM	#3
BitsnBits Full Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: TX Posts: 60 Images: 32	that's the exact article I read. so did you just order one or was there a retailer in your area? and which one is natural, the brown one or the gray one? __________________ I have not yet begun to defile myself.

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06-20-2008, 01:09 PM	#2
Dusty1979 Senior Member+ Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Minnesota (rural area) Posts: 553 Images: 7	Have you seen this article? Maybe it will clear some things up for you. I've used many different styles of pads over the years, and find that the natural wool works the best. I have one of these 5 Star pads on order now in the 1/2" width, hoping that it works with the saddle I want to use it with. That's the trick when saddle fitting also. Don't put too much pad under a saddle that hopefully fits your horse well. You'll only make the horse "wider" and the saddle "narrower". I know a lot of people who use and like the "waffle" neoprene pads, but they must enjoy seeing the sweat running down off the horse's back. They also claim that the horse's back stays dryer. I've never used neoprene for a saddle pad because I just couldn't see where that wouldn't trap a lot of heat under the saddle. This is also why saddles should have real wool fleece lining. The wool grabs the blanket/pad better than the synthetic and also helps to dissipate the heat. Hope I didn't confuse you further. It's like anything else, what works for one doesn't work for another and we all have our likes and dislikes. All I can do is give my opinion.

06-20-2008, 05:44 PM	#4
Dusty1979 Senior Member+ Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Minnesota (rural area) Posts: 553 Images: 7	There is a dealer about 15 miles from me, so I ordered through them (Noble Saddle). I don't have it yet, so I can't give you a review on it. I'm not liking the saddle that I was thinking I would use it under so really don't know what I'm going to end up doing. My horse has to have the final say! I'm getting what this gal calls the light contour. It is for a flatter withered horse or mule. You would get their normal contour for a decent withered horse. And, they will cut a different size if you want at no charge (I was going to go with a 29" length, then decided to stick with the 30"). The gray would be the natural color at no extra cost. You pay extra for the colors. Luckily, I like the natural color - one place I could save a little since I'm so good at finding other places to throw it away! LOL

06-20-2008, 05:51 PM	#5
Fire Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Little Rock, AR Posts: 402	I wish I could afford a 5-star pad. But I have a 3 layer wool/felt/fiber blend saddle and it is great at wicking sweat (my horse is nearly dry when I take it off of him) and it also doesn't really trap heat. The neoprene...ick. Try wrapping neoprene around some part of your body and running around...it probably feels disgusting and doesn't help the heat/sweat issue. Neoprene pads were made by people who don't know much about horses. I think they were chosen as a pad material because it is soft and squishy...but for ventilation it is HORRIBLE. Ick. I wouldn't use one if you paid me. Wool or felt is the best.