A saddle without a pad? That's a sure way to make things uncomfortable for both you and your horse.
The thing is, the whole art of picking the proper Western (or other type) saddle pad can be nothing less than intimidating.
First of all, you have to think about the horse you're actually working with. Is it a high withered horse? A swayback? Maybe a short backed equine?
For example, Reinsman designs its Square Swayback Contour Pad for swaybacked horses. For a flat backed horse? Not so much.
Then you have all the materials. Felt pads are sturdy, but usually cost more.
Fleece pads, especially merino wool ones like the Weaver Leather pad below, are a horse owner's darling. However, they get matted easily and need frequent maintenance.
Then come the synthetics: neoprene reduces the risk of sliding around, but can feel "sweaty" for your horse.
Much like my other equine equipment guides (on winter blankets, for example), my goal here is to educate you. No, not in the boring, authoritative "professor's" way of doing so.
Equine care is tough as it is, so I just want to help you a little bit. I'll start with a quick look at the 5 pads I picked, then discuss what different saddle pad materials involve for you and your horse, and finish with some summarized reviews.
This page was updated in October 2026. All five pads are still made. I've checked each one against its maker's own product page, and every material, size, design and care detail below is worded the way the maker states it. Where a maker has renamed a pad or changed its sizes, I've said so.
Saddle pads at a glance
| Pad | Type | Materials (per the maker) | Sizes (per the maker) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weaver Leather All Purpose Contoured Saddle Pad | Western, fleece lined | Herculon fabric top, merino wool fleece liner; 1" thick | 30" x 30" or 32" x 32" | No active Amazon listing found |
| Diamond Wool Contoured Ranch Pad | Western, wool felt | 1", 3/4" or 1/2" wool felt, cotton canvas top, leather-reinforced spine | 30" x 30" or 32" x 32" | Check price on Amazon |
| Classic Equine ContourPedic Pad 7/8" | Western, felt top, foam bottom | 1/8" wool felt top, 3/4" closed cell foam bottom; 7/8" total | 30" x 30" or 31" x 32" | Check price on Amazon |
| Reinsman Square Swayback Contour Pad | Western, swayback | Black microsuede, Tacky Too bottom, foam core tapering from 1 1/2" to 1" | 30" or 32" long | Check price on Amazon |
| ECP Quilted Correction Half Pad | Half pad with shim pockets | Diamond quilted; 4 pockets with 3 memory foam shims each | 22" x 8.5" | Check price on Amazon |
You, your horse & the saddle pad: fundamentals
Situations, horses, people: they all differ a lot. It's not that just any saddle pad will fit the bill. There are 5 core things that will influence your choice:
- Fit & Design
- Moisture-wicking Properties
- Thickness & Cushioning
- Stability & Lack of Slipping
- Aftercare & Maintenance
A pad that lacks proper breathability is a no-go for more humid areas. Constant slippage will ruin any riding session that's more active.
And, while a foam or neoprene bottom will only need a quick rinsing, wool will demand more dedication on your part.
One thing a pad can't do is fix a saddle that doesn't fit. If you're unsure about your saddle's fit, or you notice any back problems, have a qualified saddle fitter or your vet take a look.
A guide to different saddle pad materials
There are a few main materials you will see with Western saddle pads. I wouldn't say one is better than another. It's a matter of personal circumstances and preferences.
If your horse reacts to a pad material, stop using it and ask your vet.
Fleece
Fleece pads are usually quite affordable and maybe the ones you'll see the most. You can either see natural fleece pads made of wool/merino wool, or synthetic ones.
Of course, there are also some models that are an intricate blend of both fabric types.
The big difference is that woolen fleece is softer, but the natural fibre leads to easier matting. Additionally, horse sweat can really affect the integrity and longevity of woolen pads.
Synthetic fleeces are more long-lasting, and easier to clean and maintain: you don't need to wash or fluff them frequently, unlike natural fleece pads.
Felt
Felt saddle pads are significantly sturdier with their construction of tightly compressed wool. Durability can be improved even further by blending wool with synthetic fibers.
Usually they are thicker than fleece pads. You should look out for moisture-wicking here, as some felt pads can be a bit too thick. They might cause more sweating, which is not optimal for very humid areas.
Neoprene
The benefits of neoprene are easy maintenance and an affordable price. You won't see any matted fibers, and neoprene is water resistant for those rainy days.
As neoprene is rubbery, it grips the horse and tends to stay put even in very active riding, like barrel racing or vigorous trail riding.
The downside is that it scores lower in terms of heat dissipation. It might trap moisture and inconvenience your equine buddy.
That said, many neoprene Western saddle pads come with a "waffle" pattern in their bottom part. This design is more open and allows for extra breathability.
Open or closed cell foam
Foam pads are usually molded foam wrapped in nylon, and come in open cell and closed cell types. Closed cell foam is denser, so generally it won't be as breathable as open cell foam. Some foam pads also come with a mesh layer for airflow.
Memory foam also shows up as removable inserts (shims) in pocketed pads, so you can change where the extra thickness goes.
5 saddle pads I picked
1. For all-around riding: Weaver Leather All Purpose Contoured [Merino Fleece]
As I mentioned, fleece pads are what you'll see around pretty often. Synthetics are OK, as well as wool, but merino wool is a material I rate above both.
Weaver says the merino wool liner is moisture wicking and naturally moves sweat away from your horse.
Weaver Leather's trademark sign here is the Herculon fabric on top. Weaver describes it as durable, easy to clean and water-repellant, and says it makes burrs and brush easy to remove.
Weaver makes it in 30" x 30" and 32" x 32", 1" thick, with a contoured shape that Weaver says reduces saddle roll. You can also get it with a non-slip GettaGrip closed cell foam liner instead of merino fleece. The designs are always outstanding, easily one of the most beautiful pieces of equipment I've seen.
At the time of writing, we couldn't find this pad with an active Amazon listing; Weaver sells it directly.
2. For a wool felt pad: Diamond Wool Contoured Ranch Pad
While pretty plain looking in its appearance, Diamond Wool's pad is extremely sturdy. You can have it either at 30" x 30", or the bigger 32" x 32" variety.
Diamond Wool makes it from 1" or 1/2" wool felt (a 3/4" option is listed for the 32" x 32") with a cotton canvas top and distressed leathers. The contoured spine has a wither relief notch and is reinforced with leather.
If you remember, I noted that felt thickness can mean more sweating, so keep that in mind if you live somewhere humid.
The hold is good, not as good as a neoprene pad, but still above your average felt equipment. Definitely more steady than your standard fleece Western pad.
I did say the design isn't that exciting, but there is some nice attention to detail, like that leather-reinforced spine. Diamond Wool also says its pads are hand crafted at its facility in Rhode Island.
3. For a felt top and foam bottom: Classic Equine ContourPedic [Felt & Foam]
If you're more active, you want stability. As I pointed out, synthetic bottoms fit the bill the best in such cases.
The usual problem is they feel a bit too...well, synthetic. The ContourPedic pairs a wool felt top with a foam bottom.
Classic Equine lists a 1/8" wool felt top and a 3/4" closed cell foam bottom, for 7/8" total thickness.
The pad has cutouts over the withers and the cinch area, and a contoured split design. Classic Equine makes it in 30" x 30" or 31" x 32", at its shop in Granbury, Texas.
Last but not least, Classic Equine says you can rinse this pad off after use. Saves you a lot of maintenance compared with typical wool Western pads.
4. For swaybacked horses: Reinsman Square Swayback Contour Pad [Tacky Too]
Reinsman says it designed this pad to help fit a saddle to a horse whose back has a lower than typical curve, where the saddle bridges across the back.
To fill that gap, Reinsman uses a 1 1/2" thick foam core in the center that tapers toward each end, to level the saddle from front to rear. The bottom is Reinsman's Tacky Too, which it describes as a non-slip, ventilated material. Reinsman also lists a spine relief channel and a contoured spine.
Reinsman makes it in 30" or 32" lengths, in black microsuede, and lists the United States as the country of manufacture.
Remember, a swayback pad works alongside a saddle that fits; it isn't a fix for one that doesn't. A saddle fitter can tell you whether your horse needs one.
5. For memory foam shims: ECP Quilted Correction Half Pad
I'm not that fond of memory foam pads but a lot of people are into them. For those of you who prefer this style, Equine Comfort Products (or ECP) have a half pad with memory foam shims. It used to be sold as the Cotton Correction Half Pad.
The catch is that this is a half pad, and when I first wrote this it was meant for English saddles. For a Western saddle, ECP now makes a separate Western Quilted Correction Saddle Pad, also with memory foam pockets.
The main feature here is the four pockets: ECP lists 2 front and 2 back pockets with Velcro closures, with 3 memory foam shims in each, so you can adjust where the extra thickness goes. Additional shims are sold separately.
ECP describes the quilted pads as moisture wicking, breathable and lightweight. The half pad measures 22" x 8.5" and has billet straps.
Downside? It won't provide you with the stability you'll find with neoprene, and it's not as thick as woolen or felted pads.
What pad fits different horse types the best?
Horses come with their specific characteristics. Some of them have high withers, others have dipped backs or short backs.
There are three main shapes of Western saddle pads you'll most probably encounter:
- Contoured
- Straight
- Round
Contoured pads follow the line of the back, rising over the withers. Some contoured pads also come with cut outs or a notch at the withers, like the Diamond Wool and ContourPedic pads above.
Straight pads have a straightforward, linear design for straighter backs.
Round pads have a shorter, rounded outline. They're the usual choice for shortbacked horses, and if your saddle has a really round skirt.
Which shape your horse actually needs comes down to your horse's back and your saddle, which is exactly what a saddle fitter checks.
Bottom note, as I almost forgot: if you're looking for additional guides, check my tips on keeping the flies away from your equine buddy during summer months.