The effect of saddle pads on pressure distribution
Riders and horse owners having a huge saddle and half pad collection is a common occurrence, but what do these pads do for our horses in terms of pressure distribution? In a survey looking into riders opinions of the use of saddle pads, found that the most common reason riders use saddle pads was to compensate for possible saddle fit problems (Hawson et al., 2013). Adding extra layers between the saddle and the horse can often hinder not help saddle fitting issues.
Leather Pads
Improved saddle fit has been characterized as decreased maximum overall force under the saddle. Leather half pads have been found to increase maximum overall force (MOF) In one study. The leather pad increased MOF in the highest number of horses at walk (27.8%) and trot (33.3%) (Kotschwar et al., 2010). Leather half pads were also found to fail to reduce MOF significantly when compared to the control (KOTSCHWAR et al., 2010).
Gel Pads
Gel half pads showed mixed results. It has been found that the gel half pad increased peak and mean pressure in sitting trot in one study (MacKechnie-Guire et al., 2021). It has also been found to reduce MOF by 44.4% at walk and by 60% in trot (Kotschwar et al., 2010). And finally the gel pad failed to significantly reduce MOF when compared to a saddle without a pad (KOTSCHWAR et al., 2010).
Wool or Fur
Wool or fur seems to have agreeing results. It was found that wool had the lowest peak and mean pressure in the caudal region in sitting trot (MacKechnie-Guire et al., 2021). In trot one study found fur to reduce MOF by 60% (Kotschwar et al., 2010) and it was the only pad material to significantly reduce pressure in both walk and trot in another study. It reduced MOF by 21.3kg in walk and 21.7kg in trot (KOTSCHWAR et al., 2010).
Foam Pads
Finally, foam half pads also had mixed results, with two studies showing it had reduced pressures in walk by 44% (Kotschwar et al., 2010) and another in canter (MacKechnie-Guire et al., 2021). But was also seen to fail to significantly reduce MOF when compared to the non-padded control (KOTSCHWAR et al., 2010).
Each of the studies concluded that more research is needed within this area, as many pads are placed on the market without testing behind them.
If you like my work and wish to support it, you can buy me a coffee :)
References
Hawson, L.A., McLean, A.N. and McGreevy, P.D. (2013) ‘A retrospective survey of riders’ opinions of the use of saddle pads in horses’, Journal of Veterinary Behavior, 8(2), pp. 74–81. doi:10.1016/j.jveb.2012.05.004.
Kotschwar, A.B., Baltacis, A. and Peham, C. (2010) ‘The influence of different saddle pads on force and pressure changes beneath saddles with excessively wide trees’, The Veterinary Journal, 184(3), pp. 322–325. doi:10.1016/j.tvjl.2009.02.018.
KOTSCHWAR, A.B., BALTACIS, A. and PEHAM, C. (2010) ‘The effects of different saddle pads on forces and pressure distribution beneath a fitting saddle’, Equine Veterinary Journal, 42(2), pp. 114–118. doi:10.2746/042516409x475382.
MacKechnie-Guire, R., Fisher, M. and Pfau, T. (2021) ‘Effect of a half pad on pressure distribution in sitting trot and canter beneath a saddle fitted to industry guidelines’, Journal of Equine Veterinary Science, 96, p. 103307. doi:10.1016/j.jevs.2020.10