10 Reviews: Best Saddle Pad for Heavy Rider (Apr 2024)

The innovative Impact Gel XT bladder is molded and deliberately fitted to match the saddle positioning, easing pressure spots, giving a free range of motion, and offering enhanced ventilation. This unique Non-Skid top will not roll or slide. The Zero Slip pad lets you run a looser cinch, allowing the horse to breathe and perform at its best. This Saddle Pad is a stunning combination of our best-selling Classic Barrel Pad and Legend Elite Saddle Pad. The Teal Non-Skid Top is designed to keep your pad in place. The felt-lined bottom promotes moisture wicking. Free-range of motion is provided through a cutout at the withers. The skirt has been extended to provide for tighter contact and a better saddle fit. A contour cut along the spine ensures a perfect fit. Heavy heavy wear leathers provide years of service. Perforations in the bladder of the XT Lite Gel give more airflow and breathability.

I have two impact gel pads and love them both. This one fits perfect under my barrel saddle and provides a super comfortable ride. If I ride bareback I’ll put this pad on just to be more comfortable and boy does it do the trick! Wouldn’t own another brand of pad

by Jennifer Lynn Frazier

With its unique Impact Gel technology, this pad is intended for rough labor and built to endure. The All-Around Rancher was designed by professionals with meticulous attention to detail. Close touch characteristics such as a contour cut at the spine and an enlarged cutaway at the gussets make it perfectly crafted. The innovative Impact Gel bladder is molded and put intelligently to meet the saddle’s positioning, easing pressure spots and allowing for a full range of motion. Finally, heavy-duty Red Dove wear leathers bind the pad together, ensuring years of use. This saddle pad is a stunning combination of their most popular Classic Contour and Legend Elite saddle pads. A contour cut along the spine ensures a perfect fit. Heavy-duty wear leathers are built to last for years.

I have used this pad for years excellent quality and my horses are never sore. Such an amazing experience ?.

by Mara Brisbois

The innovative Impact Gel XT bladder is molded and put intelligently to meet the saddle’s positioning, easing pressure spots, allowing for a full range of motion, and giving additional ventilation. The Non-Skid Top is intended to keep your pad in place. The bottom has a felt lining for better moisture-wicking. Free-range of motion is provided through a cutout at the withers. The skirt has an extended cutaway for better touch and saddle fit. A contour cut along the spine ensures a perfect fit. Heavy-duty wear leathers are built to last for years. The holes in the XT Lite Gel bladder allow for more air movement and breathability.

There every durable!!
Love these!!! The padding is wonderful! They go with everything and stay clean!!!

by Amy

The original Impact Gel saddle pad is the Contour Classic saddle pad. This pad’s technology and fit have been improved over the years, and it has been a top option for riders for the last fifteen years. The gel bladder is designed and arranged to complement the saddle’s positioning. The special wool mix enables air to circulate between the pad and the horse. These characteristics offer a flexible energy-absorbing fit for you and your horse, resulting in high-performance, non-slip, non-rollover protection. Heavy-duty wear leathers are intended to last for years. This is the brand’s most popular and adaptable saddle pad. Fits saddles with a round or square back. Free-range of motion is provided through a cutout at the withers. To allow for a flawless fit for rigging, cut away at the billet. A contour cut along the spine ensures a perfect fit.

Love this pad so much, I got rid of all my other pads. My horses work comfortably under them during trail rides and arena work. I have a 3/4 and a 1, and I usually grab the 3/4. I have had both of them for years, and they are still holding up. No breakdown at the wither area!

by Cortney Loeffler

The Contour Classic saddle pad is the original Impact Gel saddle pad and is made of high-density foam. The technology and fit of this pad have been developed over the course of fifteen years, making it the first choice of riders around. It is important to note that the gel bladder is formed and positioned properly to accommodate the location of the saddle. The special wool mix enables air to circulate between the pad and the horse, which improves circulation. As a consequence of these qualities, you and your horse will benefit from a high-performance, non-slip, and non-rollover protection that is both comfortable and functional for you. Heavy-duty wear leathers are built to last for years on end.

The impact gel saddle pads are an absolute MUST HAVE in my barn. Every one of my horses is rode in one in multiple kinds of saddles and not one comes out sore after a workout. These pads are a required addition to each ride and I couldn’t do it without them! [...]

by Laryssa

The OrthoRide saddle pad is a contoured two-tone orthopedic grade premium wool saddle pad with Poron XRD and memory foam build-up created particularly to ease shoulder strain and pressure. The OrthoRide Saddle Pad aids with difficult-to-fit conformation, such as high withers, narrow shoulders, or asymmetrical muscle development. When struck, Poron XRD is wrapped in high-quality memory foam material located beneath the scapula isolates and creates a protective screen that absorbs up to 90% of force. Poron XRD molecules will not degrade over time and will provide the same level of protection ride after ride. The specially constructed build-up properly aligns the horse, pad, and saddle for a comfortable OrthoRide. It aids in the reduction of saddle hit during dallying for horses with poor saddle fit, high withers, or atypical conformation.

I love this pad for my barrel horse! Gave him great room in the shoulders and the best comfort fit for him

by Shelbey Clark

This is a Best Friend saddle pad. Synthetic suede cloth is used to make the saddle pad. This saddle pad has a compartment that may be used to store or carry a full water bottle. This is a huge saddle pad that can easily accommodate a youngster and an adult rider. If you have a horse with a high withered back, this saddle pad will suit you wonderfully. The pad is kept from sliding by the non-slip girth and bottom. The breathable synthetic suede fabric is simple to clean; just brush it off and wash it off with a moist towel. High-density foam padding is used to fill the pad. At the withers, there is more padding. The pad has a contoured design for a better fit. For extra convenience, there are pockets on the side.

This saddle is a lifesaver! I live in Alabama and in the summer it is EXTREMELY HOT! My horse loves not having a heavy saddle and blanket...I especially like how this bareback saddle clings to the horse! Love this so much!

by KMore

This Toklat T3 saddle pad is composed of high-quality ETC fabric for added comfort when riding. This saddle pad also helps to slow down the advancement of ailments including osteoarthritis, muscle loss, and kissing spine. If you have a horse with a kissing spine, this saddle pad is the finest option. With T3 Ortho-Impact Protection Inserts and shims, this saddle pad prevents and absorbs over 90% of the energy passed between horse and rider. The Shims allow you to alter the saddle pad to fit any horse. It’s also a non-slip saddle pad, so if you’re a heavy rider, this is a good option.

Beautiful pad!! Exactly what I needed.
Made in AMERICA!
For my high withered Saddlebred, and low backed retired 25 yr old, Halter APHA Gelding, works Great. Shims are easy to move. They help.

by Margaret V.

The saddle pad is created in the United States of America from 100 percent extra fine wool. A real wool saddle pad will fit your horse better the first time you put it on, and it will continue to fit better as it molds to the contour of your horse’s back over the course of time. The hollow natural fibers will drain away perspiration and heat, allowing your horse to be drier and cooler throughout the day. This saddle pad is also well-suited for riders with high withers, so if you are a heavy rider searching for the finest western saddle pad, this might be an excellent option to consider.

This saddle pad was the perfect fit for my horse and saddle. Love the color and got many compliments. It was very comfortable for my horse yet plenty breathable as well.

by Myranda Elliott

Nothing beats a saddle pad made entirely of wool. A real wool saddle pad will fit your horse better the day you put it on, and as it molds to the contour of your horse’s back, it will only become better. The hollow natural fibers will whisk perspiration and heat away from your horse, keeping him dry and cool. This wool saddle pad will endure for years, whether you’re a trail rider or a professional trainer. This is a premium wool pad with a curved spine and withers crafted out of superior-top grain wear leathers. When you apply the Silverado wool pad, you should see a more even sweat imprint on your horse’s back. Wool is also popular since it is simple to clean. Simply spray it off with cold water, rub out the hair and perspiration with a sponge, then hang to dry.

Highly recommended by my trainer ! My horse noticed a difference during our first ride with this pad!! I especially noticed he had NO BACK SORENESS.

by jbhemet