FAQ

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Product Benefits

Why are SaddleRight pads better than competitor pads?

SaddleRight pads beat out the competition due to our exclusive Core Material, which not only protects your horse’s back but also promotes muscle rebuilding - something no other pad offers. Our commitment to quality is evident in every detail, from Real Pressed Wool Felt to top-grain leather, ensuring durability and performance.

For over 34 years, our expert craftsmanship and dedication to horse and rider comfort have set us apart. Here’s why riders trust SaddleRight:

✅ Exclusive Core Material – Dissipates heat and pressure for maximum comfort.
✅ Lifetime Warranty – Guaranteed against core compression for lasting reliability.
✅ Innovative Design – Provides wither, spine, and lumbar relief.
✅ Close Contact Fit – Less bulk for a better feel and communication with your horse.
✅ Unmatched Quality – Built for superior protection and performance.
✅ Satisfaction Guaranteed – Enjoy a 30-day unconditional guarantee (excluding custom embroidery and sizing).
✅ Trade-Back Policy – Upgrade your pad without worry (excludes custom orders).

SaddleRight was founded on a deep understanding of horse biomechanics and rider needs. Dr. Freeman, a chiropractor and kinesiologist, dedicated his life to alleviating pain - both for people and horses. His expertise shaped the innovation behind every SaddleRight pad, ensuring that riders get the best in comfort, protection, and long-term back health.

How long should this pad last me?

With proper care, this could be the last pad you’ll ever need for your horse! Regular cleaning and maintenance will significantly extend its lifespan. Many of our pads remain in heavy use for 20+ years, proving their unmatched durability.

Lifetime Warranty – Guaranteed against core compression.
One-Year Workmanship Warranty – Ensuring top-quality craftsmanship.
Built to Last – So reliable that used SaddleRight pads are hard to find!

Invest in a pad designed for long-term performance and protection - because quality should last a lifetime.

Do you use memory foam or gel in your pads?

No, our pads do not contain memory foam, gel, jelly, air bladders, or any materials that increase pressure points on the horse. Unlike generic cushioning materials, our unique core is specifically designed for orthopedic protection, dissipating heat and pressure for superior comfort and performance.

Proven orthopedic protection since 1984
Handcrafted with the finest natural materials
Close contact design for less bulk and better stability
Engineered for lasting protection and enhanced performance
Custom orthopedic saddle pads backed by science
Specialized core material moves and recoils with the horse’s movement
Lifetime warranty – Core will never compress, deform, or degrade
100% handmade in the USA

Not all saddle pads are created equal. Many only mask problems and fail to provide real protection. Our pads are designed to promote better health and performance, ensuring your horse stays comfortable and supported.

Will this work on...?

Will this pad work on all of my horses?

Will this pad work on a high withered horse?

Yes! Our pad is specifically designed to accommodate high-withered horses. The open wither design ensures that there is no direct pressure on the withers, preventing soreness and discomfort. By allowing freedom of movement and proper saddle clearance, it promotes natural motion and reduces strain on the horse’s back.

Key benefits for high-withered horses:

Provides excellent wither relief by eliminating direct pressure
Encourages proper saddle fit and weight distribution
Reduces rubbing and soreness in sensitive areas
Designed with orthopedic support to enhance comfort
Maintains close contact for better stability and rider balance

Whether you're riding for performance, training, or pleasure, our pad ensures your high-withered horse remains comfortable and supported on every ride.

Will this work on my short-backed horse?

Yes! Our pads are designed to accommodate short-backed horses, ensuring a comfortable and secure fit. We offer back lengths ranging from 24” to 32”, allowing you to choose the perfect size for your horse’s conformation. Additionally, we provide round-skirted models that help eliminate bulk and prevent interference with your horse’s natural movement.

Key benefits for short-backed horses:

Available in various lengths to suit different body types
Round skirted models reduce unnecessary bulk and improve fit
Contours naturally to the horse’s back for even weight distribution
Prevents pressure points that can cause discomfort or soreness
Enhances saddle stability while allowing unrestricted movement

Will this pad help with horses that have Atrophy, Kissing Spine, or a mild drop in the back?

Yes! Our Legacy Upgrade is an excellent option for horses with these conditions. This upgrade adds an extra ⅛" of core material to the bar area of the pad, increasing its thickness from ⅝" to ¾". This targeted support helps distribute weight more effectively, reducing pressure on sensitive areas and providing enhanced comfort.

With the Legacy Upgrade, the pad’s weight-bearing capacity doubles from 300 lbs to 600 lbs, making it a great choice for horses that endure strenuous riding activities such as roping, ranching, or extended trail riding.

This upgrade is available for all Western models for an additional $30.

Will this work for a saddle with a drop rigging?

Yes! We offer models specifically designed to accommodate drop-rigged saddles, with drop sizes ranging from 34” to 39”. Our saddle pads provide the right fit and support for various saddle styles, ensuring comfort and stability for both horse and rider.

Recommended models for drop rigging:

Round Barrel XT2 – Hybrid cross between the Round Barrel and our older Drop Rig model
Special – Available in Round or Square styles
OSDR – Original Style Drop Rig
Endurance – Features a 39” drop for maximum coverage

You can check the drop sizes for each model here.

Choosing the right pad ensures proper weight distribution and reduces pressure points, helping to keep your horse comfortable during every ride.

Will this work for mules or ponies?

Will this help with horses that have sway back?

SaddleRight pads are an effective solution for horses with sway back, or lordosis, because they provide essential support that helps distribute weight evenly and prevents pressure points, which are critical for horses with this condition. Sway back is characterized by a curvature of the spine that can lead to discomfort, muscle atrophy, and nerve damage. When a saddle is placed on a horse with this condition, the improper fit can exacerbate these issues by putting uneven pressure on the horse's back muscles and spine.

Dr. Mike Freeman, a Doctor of Chiropractic and Kinesiologist, spent years researching and testing solutions for horses suffering from sore backs, muscle shutdown, and nerve damage. Through his research, he discovered that traditional saddle pads often failed to support the horse's back effectively, which worsened the muscle breakdown and contributed to further discomfort. This led him to develop the unique core material used in SaddleRight pads, which provides both foundation and pressure dissipation.

The core material in SaddleRight pads encourages muscle regeneration, repairs nerve function, and supports the lymphatic system. By evenly distributing weight across the horse's back and reducing the pressure on sensitive areas like the spine and withers, these pads help alleviate the strain caused by sway back. This results in improved performance, comfort, and overall health for the horse.

The design of the SaddleRight pad, along with its ability to dissipate heat and pressure, ensures that the horse can move freely without experiencing discomfort from the saddle. This makes SaddleRight pads an ideal choice for horses with sway back, as they help promote better muscle function and provide the orthopedic support needed to prevent further damage.

How to Use

Do I need to use another pad or blanket under it?

Our pads are designed to perform at their best when placed directly on the horse’s back, ensuring maximum comfort and protection. However, if you’d like to keep your pad clean, you may use a liner or a thin Navajo blanket as a protective layer.

We offer high-quality wool felt liners that provide an extra layer of cleanliness without compromising performance. Even in the toughest riding conditions, our pads function independently, maintaining optimal fit, support, and orthopedic benefits.

I have trouble with my saddle rolling, will this pad help?

Yes! Our pad’s streamlined design helps minimize saddle roll by providing a secure and stable fit. Unlike bulky pads that can contribute to instability, our pads offer superior protection without excess thickness.

Our English pads are ½", Western pads have a standard ⅝" thickness, and our Legacy model is ¾" for added support. This balance of cushioning and close-contact design helps keep your saddle in place while maintaining comfort and performance.

Do I need to use shims with my pad?

No! Our pads are designed to provide complete and consistent support without the need for shims. Shimming can actually interfere with muscle and nerve regeneration, potentially increasing the risk of discomfort or injury to your horse. Instead of masking saddle fit issues, our pads work to protect the back from pressure and stress while promoting healthy muscle function and recovery.

For the best results, we do not recommend using a shimmable saddle pad.

Ordering Questions

How do I measure for a pad?

Western Pad

Drop is determined from the center of the saddle from the underneath to the bottom of the cinch rings, or rigging.

Seat is measured along the top under the swells and cantle from the longest points. Add 4 inches to this measurement to determine the back length. If your saddle measures a ½ inch please round up. Ex; 24 ½ needs a 29.

English Pad

Then English pad measurement is decided by seat size. Measure from the nailhead in the front of the saddle, and in a taught line to the center of the cantle. Standard is 17-17.5, a medium is 18-18.5, and a large is 19-19.5 seat. Standard protection up to 190 lbs. Extra protection is 190 to 300 lbs.

**Treeless saddles and Drop Rigged saddles can require a 34-36 drop**

How do I decide which pad to order?

Do I need wear leathers on my pad?

What if my pad doesn’t work with my saddle?

What is your Trade Back Program?

We offer the industry’s only "Trade Back" program.

Trade Back Program

Our Trade Back Program ensures you always have the perfect pad - whether it’s time for a fresh look or a replacement. As of January 1st, 2023, pads must meet specific condition criteria for trade-in eligibility. Pads with holes, rips, or tears will no longer be accepted. Custom embroidered or altered pads are also excluded. Only one pad per trade transaction is allowed.

Trade Back Grading Scale:

Grade A (50% off): Excellent condition—clean top and bottom, minimal use or marks.
Grade B (35% off): Good condition—clean with minimal staining and wear. Age is not a factor.
Grade C (25% off): Fair but usable—moderate staining and wear appropriate to age. No curling or cracking of the leather.

Important Notes:

Pads must be cleaned before being returned.
Pads must be sent to our shop before a new pad is shipped.
All dealers are eligible to participate in this program.

We appreciate your understanding and look forward to helping you find the perfect pad!

Do you offer a warranty or guarantee?

30-Day Money-Back Guarantee

We stand by our products with a 30-day unconditional money-back guarantee. If you are not completely satisfied, simply return your originally purchased pad, and we will issue a full refund of the purchase price, minus a $30 restocking fee. Please note that custom embroidered and custom-sized pads are not eligible for returns.

1-Year Workmanship Warranty

We also offer a 1-year warranty on workmanship for the pad’s covering. If any issues arise due to workmanship within the first year, we will cover all return shipping charges and make it right.

FAQ