8 half pads to consider to help perfect your saddle setup

Georgia Guerin's avatar
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Published In Buying Guides
best half pads
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The best half pads for horses can be used for a variety of reasons. Some are added beneath correctly fitting saddles to add an extra layer of shock absorption and aid stability, while others can be added to account for changes in the horse’s shape and help to temporarily improve saddle fit. This is particularly useful when horses are developing or changing shape due to weight, fitness or age, and many of these have shims, which you can add and remove as necessary.

Some half pads are designed to be used alone, but most can also be used with alongside one of the best saddle pads – some should be used underneath and against your horse’s back, while others should be used between the saddlecloth and saddle. A half pad should mould to the shape of your horse’s back to help distribute pressure evenly and allow the saddle to sit correctly. The best half pads for horses will be breathable and wick away sweat from your horse’s back.

Georgia Guerin
Georgia Guerin
Deputy Website Editor and Head of Ecommerce

Georgia is Horse & Hound’s deputy website editor and equestrian products expert. She curates content across the website with a particular focus on upcoming equestrian events horse care and buying advice. She also manages all the ecommerce opportunities that allow us to give you easy access to the best products at the lowest prices via our buying guides. Georgia has first-hand knowledge of all the equestrian brands and their ever-evolving product lines, having been working with them closely since she started in equestrian media in 2015.