The saddle pad sits between the saddle and the horse — the product most responsible for comfort and sweat management. For brands, getting size runs and materials right is what separates a professional line from a commodity one.
Saddle Pad Sizing
Saddle pads follow saddle sizes, not horse heights. Common runs are:
- Pony — for ponies and small cobs, shorter and narrower
- Cob — medium frames
- Full — the standard horse size
- X-Full / Extra Full — large warmbloods and draft crosses
Width at the withers and length along the spine are the two measurements that matter. A pad that is too wide slips; one that is too narrow presses on the withers.
Common Saddle Pad Materials
- 100% cotton — breathable, easy to wash, classic all-rounder.
- Cotton with fleece or wool lining — extra cushioning and moisture absorption.
- Quilted synthetic fill — affordable, quick-drying, consistent thickness.
- Felt / wool felt — firm, natural shock absorption, often used for Western pads.
- Gel and memory-foam pads — pressure relief for sensitive backs.
What to Specify on an Order
For OEM production, lock these down in the spec sheet: outer fabric and weave, lining, filling and gram weight, binding and piping color, size run (with exact cm dimensions per size), stitching density, and logo placement.
Fixed dimensions per size matter for export: a “full” pad from one factory can differ by several centimetres from another. Ask for the cm chart, not just the name of the size.
HorseMerch produces saddle pads in cotton, quilted and fleece-lined versions with custom colors and embroidery. Send your size run and target price for a fixed spec quote.
Related Guides
Need these made for your brand? Send us your product list for a quote — OEM from 50 pcs, ODM from 100 pcs.
Sourcing the products in this guide: browse our saddle pads and covers, see the Premium Cotton Quilted Saddle Pad and High-Performance Moisture-Wicking Saddle Pad, or request a quotation for factory-direct pricing, MOQ, samples and lead times.