View Full Version : Blanket/pad suggestion
I'm having a Henderson saddle made, round skirt, and saddle maker suggested Navajo blanket. I'm going from english to western, so not sure what to get. It's a custom saddle for a mft, so assuming it will be close contact. Any suggestions for brand of Navajo blanket, and is it the only pad? Never had a western saddle, so appreciate your help. Thanks!
I got a nice one from Brighton Feed and Saddles - google them. They are also very nice to people who are new to western tack.
My is wool and lined with fluffy wool, although it's not really sheepskin, it is all wool, no synthetic stuff. and has leather wear patches.
Excess
10-09-2011, 07:41 AM
I am getting a custom made one from Lisa Cope who is from Cope Saddlery. You can get some nice ones from "Brown Cow" and also "Yucca Flats" makes a nice traditional navajo with tons of different complex designs. You want to get one that is 100% wool and offers good support.
spadebithorseman
11-07-2011, 04:13 AM
In my opinion 5 star pads are the best you can get. They are pricey, but will last a long time and work the best. I find that many of the so called specialty pads/ gel pads/ foam pads etc. work great for a short time, but do not compare when used all day every day. Your horse will appreciate a quality 100% wool pad.
marlana80
11-10-2011, 08:11 PM
If you are getting a tree to fit your horse, then you don't need a full pad, just a Navajo blanket. Same as with english saddles... if they fit correctly, you don't want a thick pad getting in the way and messing up the fit.
Think of a pair of well-fitting running shoes, if you wear think wool socks, the fit is off. Too thin of a sock, and you don't get impact protection. It's up to you to find the right fit for your horse and what you are going to do with it.
Try looking for a pad that has some type of natural or synthetic exterior (warp) fiber, and the interior (weft) is a natural fiber (wool, alpaca, mohair, whatever). The warp is the fiber that holds it all together, and should be the one to last longer, can't be cut, etc.
A lot of the blankets you'll see on the market are 34" x 36" or similar... if you are getting a round skirted saddle, and a normal seat size (15-17"), then you probably just need a 32x32" blanket... the bigger sizes are just that, bigger, and aren't really needed.
Haven't seen this product in person, but take a look at http://alpacasaddlepads.com/
I've bought a mecate from T3, quality was excellent... price for the blankets seems a bit high to me http://www.t3weavers.com/saddle_blankets.html