One of those pieces of equipment that might be entertaining is a saddle pad. They can carry your barn logo for shows and be a representation of who you are. all colors, as well as all shapes and sizes. I prefer to have some finer show pads for the show ring, perhaps with a logo, but they are very clean and brilliant for everyday use. The display pads gradually transform into daily pads since they are a little dingy.

Cleaning Saddle Pads: Why They Matter?

Saddle pad types that are particularly challenging to clean and wash can make it seem reasonable to forego cleaning and reuse soiled pads. They aren’t supposed to be spotless after every ride, you might argue. The problem is that perspiration, fur matting, and dirt accumulate over time on the underside of saddle pads, providing bacterial havens. The accumulation of waste deposits might cause your horse to get saddle sores under the saddle, which could be made worse by the germs on an unclean saddle pad. You may prevent saddle sores and avoid being sidelined while you wait for them to heal by routinely cleaning your English and western saddle pads.

Keeping A Thick Western Saddle Pad Clean:

Remove Hair And Dirt With A Curry.

Use a curry comb to remove matted hair and dirt accumulation from the underside of your saddle pad; ideally, the comb has nubby “fingers” that grab and pull hair. To remove even more dirt from the Western pad’s surface, use a firm brush after the curry comb. By itself, this can effectively clean western saddle pads without the need for washing and increase the intervals between washes.

To Clean The Pad Of Dirt And Debris, Use Impact:

You must eliminate as much dirt as you can from your western saddle pad before attempting to wash it. Your wash water will probably become muddy sludge if you don’t take the time to remove surface dirt first, which will just cause the dirt to become embedded in the fibers of your western saddle pad. Before washing, give your saddle pad a thorough smackdown on a fence or post.

Dust should start to rise from the saddle pad upon impact; you might even need to wear a mask to prevent breathing it in. When the debris on your saddle pad is no longer shaking off with every bump, it’s time to wash it.

There Are Two Methods Of Washing Saddle Pad.

You might or might not be able to wash your Western saddle pad in a standard washing machine, depending on the kind you have. While woven Mexican-style blanket Western saddle pads are frequently machine washable, thick wool felt, memory foam, or gel-core saddle pads cannot be cleaned in a washing machine.

Mexican-style Western Saddle Pads Being Cleaned In A Laundry Machine:

Now that the surface dirt has been removed, put your Western pad in the washing machine in the blanket style. You can use warm water to wash the pad if your blanket is composed of synthetic fibers. You should only use cold water to wash a pad made of natural fibers, such as wool. Use cold water just in case you’re unsure if the material in your pad is synthetic or natural (wool is a more common material.

Washing Western Saddle Pads Made Of Thick Felt, Sewn, Or Layered:

You shouldn’t wash your saddle pad in a washing machine if it isn’t pliable.

Large Western saddle pads can be securely held up on the wall in most self-serve car washes by employing the high-pressure spray feature of the car wash wand. These clamps are often used to hold floor mats. Avoid using any of the offered detergents when cleaning Western saddle pads at a vehicle wash; they are far too strong for textiles and could leave a residue that irritates your horse’s skin. Alternatively, wash with plain water or scrub by hand with a stiff-bristled brush after diluting an unscented laundry detergent with water.

Take caution not to expose wool-felt pads to excessively high-pressure jets. Pressure and agitation combine to generate felt, and a high-pressure water jet’s pressure and agitation can deform a pad. When cleaning a wool felt saddle pad, stay well away from the felt and keep an eye out for any surface alterations.

Use a powerful water jet to spray the saddle pad from top to bottom, allowing dirt and debris to fall and be washed away. This technique will help you get rid of years’ worth of accumulated dirt from your Western saddle pad’s bottom. The satisfaction of seeing the grime wash away can be immense.

To carry the heavy and wet saddle pad home to dry, make sure you bring a sizable bucket or thick plastic bag to the vehicle wash if your pickup truck does not have a water-safe bed.

The Western Saddle Pad Should Be Dried:

After washing your Western saddle pad, either by machine or with a high-pressure jet, it must be let air dry in a bright, windy area. Wool and synthetic Western blankets should never be machine-dried since the heat might harm the fibers in both materials. Before using the western saddle pad on your horse once more, make sure it is absolutely dry. To ensure that the pad dries evenly, make sure it has airflow from both the top and the bottom, and use a fan to speed up the drying process.

Guards Made Of Leather Should Be Conditioned:

While most felt or shaped Western saddle pads have a leather patch stitched on at the front center of the pad, where the horse’s withers are, and the bottom, sides where the girth and stirrup leathers can rub against the pad, blanket-style Western saddle pads usually don’t have leather reinforced pieces.

You’ll need to give these areas of your Western saddle pad some extra TLC to complete the cleaning. Let the leather patches completely dry after giving the saddle pad a thorough cleaning. To replenish some of the natural oil that was washed out of the leather, you’ll need to apply conditioner after it has dried. Reconditioning these leather patches is straightforward and requires only a basic leather conditioner like mint oil. For little leather patches, like those on a western saddle pad, olive oil works just fine if you don’t have any specific leather conditioner on hand.

FAQs:

Is It Possible To Clean Saddle Pads In A Washing Machine?

Remove as much dirt as possible from your saddle pads before washing them. Be aware that not all saddle pads are suitable for machine washing, and that they shouldn’t be cleaned in an agitator-equipped top-loading washer. In a front-loading washing machine, saddle cushions are considerably less likely to sustain damage.

In What Quantity Can I Wash Saddle Pads At Once?

You might only be able to wash one saddle pad at a time, depending on the kind you are washing. Two rinse cycles are advised if you are washing multiple saddle pads at once. Avoid overloading the washing machine as this may result in inadequate cleaning and possibly cause harm to the appliance.

Is It Possible To Machine Wash Western Saddle Pads?

While woven blankets in the Mexican style can be machine-washed, thick wool felt, memory foam or gel-core western saddle cushions cannot. Western saddle pads are frequently machine-washable. Now that the surface dirt has been removed, put your Western pad in the washing machine in the blanket style.

Is It Possible To Clean A Saddle Pad With A Hose Nozzle?

Using a hose nozzle attachment to adjust the water pressure makes washing your hands easier. High water pressure can damage some saddle pad materials, such as neoprene. We suggest using the 5 Star Equine Saddle Pad Cleaner & Soak as a pre-soak on the proper saddle pads.

Conclusion:

Remove hair and dirt with a curry. Use a curry comb to remove matted hair and dirt accumulation from the underside of your saddle pad; ideally, the comb has nubby “fingers” that grab and pull hair. To remove even more dirt from the Western pad’s surface, use a firm brush after the curry comb. Saddle pad longevity can be increased by routinely and properly cleaning it, in addition to keeping your horse comfortable. The pad will wear down faster because the salt in the horse’s sweat can break down the fibers.