How frequently are the saddle pads on your horse washed? Each time you use a saddle pad, sweat, dirt, and scurf will be absorbed. As a result, dirt or grease patches eventually might rub or cause sores on the horse’s back when they harden. Even while the saddle pad’s exterior, especially if it’s dark in color, may still appear to be in good condition, the interior may tell a different tale.
That’s why you must wash them. It can be very challenging to wash and clean some types of horse saddle pads; thus, it’s frequently justifiable to forego cleaning and reuse soiled pads. You may reason that they aren’t supposed to be spotless after every ride. But here’s the thing: as dirt, sweat, and matted fur accumulate over time on the underside of a saddle pad, bacterial habitats are formed. The accumulation of material deposits may chafe your horse’s underside and lead to saddle sores, which may be aggravated by bacteria on a dirty saddle pad. You can prevent saddle sores and stay active while they recover by periodically cleaning your Western and English saddle pads as well as weatherbeeta stable rugs.
Tips to help you clean your saddle pad.
1. Remove dirt and debris.
After a few rides, there will undoubtedly be some accumulation on and around your saddle pad. After each ride, shaking it out and giving it a light brush can help lessen this accumulation, but you’ll still need a more thorough cleaning occasionally.
Start by using a brush to gently scrub the pad in a circular motion to remove caked-on sweat, dirt, and other contaminants. For this phase, a rubber curry comb might be quite useful. Then, gather everything the brush has loosened using a vacuum’s hose attachment.
2. Wash your saddle with water.
The next stage is washing it, often done by hand. You can check the care instructions for your pad, but to maintain their shape and prevent fabric alterations, most Western saddle pads shouldn’t be washed. Additionally, avoid washing the pad with soap.
Start by spraying the pad down with a garden hose with a pressured nozzle. Instead of spraying straight down, which could embed dirt into the fabric, aim it at an angle toward the borders of the pad. You won’t need any soap for this stage because the water’s pressure will be enough to eliminate the grime and sweat.
Don’t hang the pad using a clip while you wash it because it will absorb some water and become fairly heavy. Position it flat on a tidy surface in its position.
3 . Let it dry
It’s time to dry your dressage saddle pad before your upcoming ride now that it has been washed. Placing it flat on the ground or over a fence’s rail is the easiest way. Although it can be tempting to leave the pad out in the sun to dry more quickly, the additional exposure could decrease the fabric’s durability.
4. Store your saddle properly.
Time to put your saddle pad away. You can hang it from a blanket rack or over your saddle once it dries. The pad should be stored in a cool, dry area with minimal chance of mold or mildew growing. Ensure nothing is pressing down on your pad wherever you store it to avoid compressing the soft fibers.
