10 Reviews: Best Saddle Pad for Long Rides (Mar 2023)

Diamond Wool Contour Ranch Pad is made of ranch-durable wool felt. This keeps the pad stable and improves airflow, keeping the horse cool and dry. It includes a notch on the spine and distressed leather parts to help with withers. The Diamond Wool Contour Ranch Pad is great for ranch work as well as trail riding. It’s incredibly thick and soft, which decreases sweat and friction significantly. The pad comes in two sizes – 30′′ x 30′′ and 32′′ x 32′′ – so you can find the perfect fit for you. It’s highly adaptable and ideally suits the horse.

There are many choices out there and I took a chance on this pad. Haven’t had it long but the quality seems to be there. Well put together, thick felt pad. Attractive, too. Hope it holds up well. So far, I highly recommend it.

by John T

Designed for horses, it is a mid-priced saddle pad made from a delicate combination of fleece and wool. Since the saddle pad is made of durable material, it is breathable, which is advantageous for trail riding since it allows the horse to sweat less, which reduces the likelihood of a hurting back for the horse. This saddle pad is perfect if your horse suffers from lower backache, to put it simply. Another noticeable feature is the curved shape of the object itself. It offers good cushioning for the body. Both a vented surface and a durable cushion are included in the package.

This pad did exactly what I was needing it to do. Lifted the saddle off my mares withers perfectly. A little pricey but well worth the money. Will have it for years to come.

by Amazon Customer

Saddle Pad in Grey Wool Felt for Classic Equine Wool felt that remains soft for the duration of the pad’s life. The pad is cut out over the withers and curved to suit your horse’s back, and it has a split design that enables the pad to move in sync with the horse. It is intended to be used either alone or in conjunction with a blanket. Wool and polyester mix with 60% wool and 40% polyester. The shade of grey and the hue of the worn leather may vary somewhat.

Nice pad for the price. I needed a thinner one to use with a shim. Holds its shape well. Dries quickly. Easy enough to layer with if needed for long days. Also can velcro a shim on if you wanted to.

by Amazon Customer

The moisture-wicking merino wool fleece on your horse’s coat naturally transfers perspiration away from him. This saddle pad is meticulously constructed from quality raw materials, with precision stitching and precise placement of inserts and worn leathers to ensure that they will resist the rigors of everyday riding while still providing great performance. With a merino wool fleece inner and superior wear leathers, this is a long-lasting design. It has certain unique characteristics, such as moisture-wicking merino wool fleece that naturally transfers perspiration away from your horse’s skin. Herculon top is simple to care for.

Like the amount of padding, use for trail saddle pad

by Elizabeth S. Carpenter

The ECP Western Saddle Pad is the finest option if you want a saddle pad that is durable and has some contour correction capabilities. The contour correction features to increase your horses’ safety. This saddle pad is constructed of memory foam, which absorbs stress very well. When riding, this foam protects your horse’s back from injury, which is particularly important in barrel racing and trail rides. The foam utilized is highly soft and breathable, with moisture-wicking properties. The pads’ edges are round and smooth, which may assist avoid discomfort by rubbing against your horse’s hindquarters.

Good, contoured saddle pad for the money, & I love the color (pink). It has pockets for shims (& several foam shims included), which are easy to put in & take out. Works well under my western saddles.

by pibble mom

The Impact Gel is a trademark. The Zero Slip pad, which is built for demanding labor and durability, employs XT Impact Gel technology. Professionals with painstaking attention to detail designed the Zero Slip Barrel Pad. It’s expertly constructed, with close-touch features like a contour cut at the spine and an extended cutaway at the gussets. Teal Non-Skid Top to keep your pad in place. For improved moisture-wicking, the bottom is coated with felt. A cutout at the withers allows for a full range of motion. The skirt has been lengthened to allow for more touch and a better saddle fit. A spine contour cut provides a great fit. Heavy-duty wear leathers will last for years.

I absolutely love this pad! It works so good on my mustang! This pad doesn’t slip one bit and works for me every day.

by Skylar Wood

To meet the needs of endurance riders, the contour saddle pad has been revised. The Trail Endurance pad is 3/4 inch thick, 32 inches wide in the front, 20 inches wide in the back, and 29 inches long. These hand-sewn, contoured cushions offer comfort and protection for both the rider and the horse, allowing for longer durations in the saddle while decreasing fatigue and improving comfort. The Impact Gel Base Layer System is included. Air can pass between the pad and the horse thanks to the particular wool blend. The heavy-duty wear leathers will last for years, while the flexibility and even pressure distribution will keep you comfortable.

I absolutely love this pad for under my round-skirted barrel saddles! It provides close contact without all the bulk! I also like using it on young horses as well since it fits their backs very well!

by Mollie Himes

The Underlayment Pad is a perfect complement to pair under your favorite woven blanket in the arena or on the trail. This slim 1/2” Contour Pad affords the same critical Impact Gel protection as the Classic Contour but is thin enough to allow the rider close contact when used under a custom blanket. Perfect for all judged performance events and an essential saddle pad in most Western Pleasure, Reining, and Horsemanship programs. The 29” size is ideal for a short-backed horse. It’s lightweight and thin, yet it’s also supportive. This pad features an open back to help relieve pressure on the spine.

I use the underlay pad, before I used this pad my horse just wasn’t happy, he had wither pain, so I was at a cutting horse show at a MN State Fair & found this booth about Impact Gel Pads, watch, listened, & was sold, my horse has been Happy since, Happy Horse Happy Rider!!!

by Michele Thompson

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. Furthermore, heavy-duty Red Dove wear leathers bind the pad together, ensuring years of use. This saddle pad is a stunning combination of our most popular Classic Contour and Legend Elite saddle pads.

Love this pad! Does not slip. Conforms to my saddle beautifully. Also reduces my fatigue on long trail rides. Win! Win!

by Aubrie Barrick

This pad was created specifically for athletic horses with well-developed shoulders and mutton withers. The Set-Back Pad raises the saddle tree’s bars slightly behind the shoulders, allowing for a good fit from front to back. The saddle pad fit frees the shoulders and provides horses with a greater range of motion, resulting in increased comfort and agility. You can remove the saddle and places it behind the shoulders. The design and placement of this saddle allow for more shoulder mobility and reduce discomfort. A contour cut along the spine ensures a perfect fit.

This thing is so fab. Works on every horse and under every saddle. Will totally be back for more.

by Jolene