Western saddle pad and saddle blankets can be made of many different materials. Saddle blankets of woven wool have been used for many years and do a pretty good job. Wool felt is another material that has been around a long time. However, recently new materials have become popular. These materials provide better weight dispersion, the ability to be cleaned easily and have the added benefit of being anti bacterial. Pads such as the Shenandoah breathable endurance pad offers all these benefits for pleasure or trail riders as well as long distance riders. Riders that show their horses may want to sharpen their appearance a bit by placing a Navajo wool blanket over the shock absorbing under pad. These under pads serve two purposes. First they provide extra comfort for the horse and lets face it, if the horse feels better he will show better. Second the under pad will keep your show pad clean which is important in a three day show.

There are also advanced designs that will add thickness and support to certain areas  of a horses back. You may find that a saddle will bridge on some horses. Saddle pads that will help to correct this problem are available and will save you from having to purchase a new saddle in some cases. You will also find saddle pads that have pockets that serve as saddle bags. These can be very useful on medium distance trail rides.