Question about saddle pads and Aussie saddles

Lori wrote: “I have a stock saddle with long flaps, so I am looking for a saddle pad that  accommodates this large flap, around 60”. Do you carry this tack?”

Colin answered: WHY YOU SHOULD NEVER USE A SHAPED PAD FOR A TRADITIONAL AUSTRALIAN SADDLE. This is a pad that goes between the outer flap of a traditional Aussie saddle and the side of the horse. 

I am often asked if I sell “shaped” Aussie saddle pads, ones that cover the  skirt of a traditional Aussie saddle. I have never sold this pad because it is the wrong pad for the saddle. You never see this pad in use in Australia, and I didn't see it in the US either until Down Under of Colorado starting selling them, about 15 years after I introduced the saddle to America in 1979. Here is the reason is does not work: The big flap of traditional Australian saddles is called a "sweat flap". It is meant to be against the side of the horse and take sweat from the animal. This sweat gets into the leather, softens it, then when the leather dries, as all leather will, it assumes the shape of the horse there at the elbow. This flap also gives relief to the horse from girths, which many years ago were terrible, and cut horses badly. Modern girths don't do that. Regardless, this flap still offers protection from the buckle or the girth knot, whatever.  Now, if you COVER this flap, it will never take the shape of the horse, and instead it will have an edge, than causes the saddle to be pushed back as the horse's shoulder comes back.When the leather is shaped, this shoulder goes UNDER the leather. Another problem with padding under the flap it causes your leg to have very poor contact with the side of the horse, a big negative for cueing the horse. It also generates heat at the side of the horse and this heat rises up into the back and generates unnecessary heat UNDER  the saddle. Finally, the whole purpose of a saddle pad is to lessen pressure on the back caused by the downward forces of the rider. Padding on the side of the horse does not contribute to that effort at all because there is no rider on the side of the horse -- or should not be. Full woolen pads covering long outer flaps is traditional in dressage, where form is at least as important as function. Dressage form and riding and equipment has not changed in over 300 years. And it will probably not change in the next 300 years. Heat is a minor factor here because dressage performances are for only a few minutes. They are not doing dressage on a mountain trail for eight hours. If there is a two-inch dip in a dressage arena they send in a tractor! 

The correct pad to use for any Australian pad is rectangular in shape, and should be just enough to cover the underside of the saddle, with a couple of inches extra in the front, and down past the edge of the fleece, or traditional stuffing. to give the pad more grip. The very best pad is the one I invented ten years ago, called The No Pressure Equalizer Pad. It is only 1/2 " thick, sits you close to the horse, and has lexan plates that distribute downward forces. Pads without plates should be at least 1" thick, and high density felt is the best. Other materials, without plates, must be up to 2" thick to protect the horse -- but good luck on stopping a saddle from rolling on a quick unexpected spin.