How do I care for my saddle pad correctly?

Felix Bühler Memory Foam Saddle Pad Cushion

Regular care of the saddle pad is not only crucial for the longevity of the material. The horse’s skin condition and ease of movement also benefit from a hygienically clean and comfortable saddle pad. The type and intensity of care is determined by the frequency of use, the material and the degree of soiling through dust and sweat. In this guide, you can read about the type of care you need to keep your saddle pad durable.

Why is saddle pad care important?

Care products

Regular saddle pad care has, on the one hand, aesthetic reasons. A clean saddle pad looks better than a sweaty or worn saddle cloth. In addition, the hygienic aspects are more important.

The horse’s sweat is very aggressive and can damage the material so severely that the durability of the saddle pad is reduced.

At the same time, the saddle pad loses its cushioning function due to sweat and dirt, becomes stiff and firm and can thus lead to skin irritation and friction in the saddle area.

Layers of dirt also hinder the wicking away of moisture and provide an optimal breeding ground for bacteria.

For the health of the horse as well as the longevity of the riding equipment, it is important to clean and care for the saddle pad regularly. This also includes hanging it up in an airy, dry place after riding to prevent the spread of bacteria and mould.

Furthermore, the care of the saddle pad has an influence on its shape retension and anatomical shape. Sweat can cause the saddle pad to lose its shape and thus its freedom of the withers. A cleaned saddle cloth can be pulled back into its shape during drying so that it lies better on the horse’s back and keeps the saddle and rider in balance.

Basics in saddle pad care

  1. Care for the saddle pad directly after riding: After riding, use a brush to clean the saddle pad of any light dirt and hair. For particularly large amounts of horse hair, an animal hair remover is recommended.
  2. Use a mild detergent: When washing your saddle pad, use a sensitive detergent that is ideally pH neutral. This not only prevents material damage, but is also beneficial for the horse’s skin condition. For an extra gentle wash, use special detergents for numnahs and saddle pads. For saddle pads with sheepskin, there are moisturising detergents for real wool.
    Do not use fabric softener! Fabric softeners damage the material fibres and can also cause allergic reactions in horses.
  3. The ideal temperature for washing saddle pads is 30°C.
  4. Gentle spin cycle at 600 rpm: Too strong a spin cycle can damage the material of the saddle pad and loosen cords and threads.
  5. Never leave to dry in direct sunlight or on a radiator that is switched on. Saddle pads should be air dried. Avoid putting the saddle pad in the dryer. Only sheepskin may be put in the dryer, as it becomes nice and soft again. But then only with cold air.
  6. Mould the saddle pad into shape: The saddle pad should be taken out of the machine immediately after the wash cycle. Keep moulding it back into shape while it is air drying.

How do I wash saddle pads by hand?

If you want to be on the safe side and clean your saddle pad as gently as possible, you can wash it by hand without a washing machine. This can be particularly advantageous for saddle pads with attached, sewn-on details and rhinestones.

After removing hair and light dirt from the saddle pad with a brush or animal hair remover, proceed as follows:

  • Soak the saddle pad to loosen deep-seated dirt.
  • Work a mild detergent into the soiled areas. Use a sponge, not a hard brush.
  • Rinse out the detergent with clean water.
  • Carefully squeeze the saddle pad. Do not wring it, otherwise it could lose its shape.
  • Mould the saddle pad into its shape and hang it up airy. Do not hang inside out for drying.

Washing saddle pads in the washing machine

Most saddle pads today can be washed in the washing machine without any problems. Before washing, always read the manufacturer’s care instructions on the label.

  • Remove stuck horse hair with a soft brush or animal hair remover.
  • In case of heavy soiling, pre-treat the saddle pad with bile soap. For even gentler care, warm water and a sponge will suffice.
  • Close all Velcro fasteners tightly. Otherwise the Velcro can roughen and damage the material.
Washing machine

  • Put the saddle pad into the washing machine turned inside out so that the underside, which has had the most contact with the horse, can be cleaned better.
  • A wash cycle of 30°C is recommended. A large part of the saddle pads are made of a mix of materials, so that the saddle pad does not shrink immediately if it is washed too hot. The situation is different with pure cotton – this must not be washed at over 30°C to avoid shrinkage.
  • After washing, take the saddle pad out of the washing machine immediately and mould it back into shape. Hang it up and keep shaping it. Do not hang inside out for drying.

Despite the pre-treatment of the saddle pad, a lot of horse hair can still end up in the washing machine. Therefore, put the saddle pad in a sealed sheet before the wash cycle. This avoids the problem of too many horse hairs ending up in the drum and the pump filter. If you are a frequent rider and have to wash numnahs and saddle pads frequently, you should empty the pump filter regularly. This will keep your washing machine running longer.

The correct way to wash a saddle pad with sheepskin

High-quality sheepskin products are now also suitable for the washing machine. Nevertheless, follow the manufacturer’s care instructions to clean your sheepskin saddle pad properly.

In any case, use a special detergent that is moisturising and suitable for the fur fibres and does not roughen them. A simple standard detergent, even one for delicates will damage the coat.

The water should not be hotter than 30°C in the washing machine or by hand. Take into account the high absorbency of sheepskin, which is why you should set the „Extra water“ option in the wash cycle. If your machine does not offer this option, add 4 to 5 litres of water directly into the drum beforehand. It is also advisable to wash only one sheepskin saddle pad per wash so as not to overload the machine.

SHOWMASTER Sheepskin Detergent
SHOWMASTER Teddy Fleece Saddle Pad Just Sparkle

Unlike saddle pads made of other materials, sheepskin products can be safely dried in the tumble dryer. Real sheepskin becomes particularly soft and fluffy in the dryer. But here, too, the temperature must not exceed 30°C. If possible, wash and dry the saddle pad separately from the sheepskin inserts.

A heavily soiled and sticky saddle pad with a sheepskin underside will lose its function. Therefore, it should be cleaned after every ride with a soft brush or damp sponge to prevent the fur tips from sticking together.

Further information and a detailed FAQ about sheepskin products can be found in our sheepskin care guide.

How do I clean my Western pad?

With western pads, hygiene is crucial for maintaining the pad’s properties. Heavy soiling, especially on the underside, can restrict the breathability and cushioning function of the pad. Depending on the material of the western pad, care varies. Pads made of neoprene are much easier to care for than western pads made of felt. Due to their size and thickness, pads often cannot be washed in a washing machine. They could lose their shape if squeezed into a small drum. If you want to deep clean your high-quality western pad, you can take it to a professional cleaner.

Neoprene pads can quickly become brittle and thus unusable due to horse sweat. Therefore, rinse it regularly with water after riding and apply a gentle detergent to it. Do not leave it in direct sunlight to dry, as the heat could also cause the material to crack.

The underside of western pads made of wool felt and synthetic felt can be washed with a simple water hose. If this is not sufficient, a gentle detergent can be used. Gentleness is important so that neither the wool fibres become roughened nor the special glue that bonds the felt layers of the synthetic pad dissolves.

Otherwise, it is sufficient to brush the pad after riding and remove any hairs or stains with a damp sponge. If you hang it up in an airy place and do not put it in a damp closet, you will also prevent the formation of bacteria.

Western pad

The genuine leather trim, which many pads have in the girth section, should be oiled or greased from time to time so that the leather does not become brittle.

Western blanket

Western blankets and show blankets are usually made of a mix of materials that can be easily washed in the washing machine at 30°C.

Hang the blanket up to air dry.

A colour-fast blanket will not be harmed by occasional treatment with a commercially available stain remover.