| At first it can seems like such a simple task, all you | | | | The second thing you need to take into consideration |
| have to do is open that glossy horse supply and tack | | | | when you are looking for a Western saddle blanket is |
| catalog that is laying on the table and purchase a new | | | | what type of saddle do you have. Not all Western |
| Western saddle pad. No problem. | | | | saddles are designed the same, there are saddles cut |
| Just a few short seconds after opening the catalog | | | | to fit specific breeds (Arabians and Quarter Horses |
| you realize exactly how big a project you are about to | | | | typically use a different saddle design), saddles that |
| undertake. Instead of opening the catalog and finding | | | | are designed for different purposes (a barrel racing |
| the one or two saddle pads you expected you find | | | | saddle looks completely different from a saddle that a |
| your self facing page after page after page of saddle | | | | roper will be riding in). The important thing to remember |
| pads. Each saddle pad has its own cut, material type, | | | | is that the when the saddle pad is on, no part of the |
| and function. The magazine offers a brief blurb on | | | | underside of the saddle should be touching the horses |
| each pad but nothing that is really helpful. The only thing | | | | back. |
| that the blankets seem to have in common is the | | | | It is important to consider your horses body type when |
| price...expensive. | | | | you are purchasing a saddle blanket. If you own a |
| The first thing you need to consider is your budget. | | | | horse whose mid section resembles a barrel and their |
| The typical horse person operates on a tight budget. | | | | withers are nothing more then a distant memory (this is |
| Every day they are confronted with a flood of bills | | | | the typical body type of ponies) you will want to look |
| that never seems to stop, feed bills, veterinarian bills, | | | | for a saddle pad that is made of material that is |
| board bills, lesson bills, and miscellaneous bills. It is | | | | designed not to slip and slide all over the place. If you |
| tempting to purchase the cheapest saddle blanket the | | | | are a rider that typically leans heavily on one side of |
| catalogue sells. Before you place that order you should | | | | your saddle you will also want to consider a non-slip |
| stop and think. When it comes to tack cheaper is | | | | saddle blanket. If your horse has prominent withers you |
| typically not better. Cheap saddle blankets tend to be | | | | will want to look for a saddle blanket that will add |
| so thin that they offer next to no cushioning, the flimsy | | | | extra protection and padding in the front. A |
| material often bunches and can cause saddle sores if | | | | swaybacked horse requires a saddle pad that will |
| the owner is negligent when saddling. Cheap blankets | | | | offer extra support everywhere, you'll also want to |
| can slide while the owner is riding (this is especially true | | | | look for a saddle pad that is thick enough you saddle |
| if your horse is as round as a barrel). The advantage | | | | will sit above the horses withers and hips. |
| to cheap saddle blankets is that they are typically | | | | Western saddle pads are not easy to clean. They are |
| washing machine cleanable, but the downside is that | | | | typically to stiff and cumbersome to fit in a washing |
| they seldom last for more then a few cleanings. The | | | | machine and if you are able to cram them into your |
| one time I recommend buying a really cheap Western | | | | washing machine you will quickly learn that it can take |
| saddle pad is when you are first saddling a young | | | | several days before they are dry. Once a Western |
| horse. If cost is a major issue consider looking in the | | | | saddle pad has been washed it typically doesn't look |
| clearance sections of the catalogs and tack stores. | | | | the same again. Most Western riders try to keep their |
| I've found that I typically find the best deals on saddle | | | | saddle pads clean by placing a cheap Navajo rug |
| blankets when I'm not looking for one. | | | | under the think fluffy Western Blanket. |