Best Half Saddle Pads of 2025
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Half saddle pads are a type of horse riding equipment that sits under the saddle to provide cushioning and protection for the horse's back. These pads are designed to cover only the front half of the saddle, leaving the back exposed to allow for greater airflow. They come in a variety of materials and thicknesses to suit different riding styles and horse breeds. Half saddle pads are a popular choice among equestrians for their ability to provide both comfort and stability to the horse, improving overall performance and preventing injury.
At a Glance: Our Top Picks
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9.6
Top 10 Half Saddle Pads
Naturally Equestrians Sheepskin Saddle Pad
The Naturally Sheepskins Half Pad offers exceptional comfort for both horse and rider. Its genuine sheepskin lining is breathable and temperature regulating, helping to keep your horse comfortable during rides. The soft cushioning absorbs pressure, ensuring you maintain close contact with your horse while reducing the risk of discomfort. Additionally, the rolled sheepskin edge provides a secure, non-slip fit, so you can ride with confidence. With its high cut wither design, this pad enhances comfort for horses with high withers, making it an excellent choice for dressage or jumping.
Shires Fully Lined Half Pad for Horses
The Shires Half Pad is ideal for sensitive horses needing extra protection. Its fully lined design provides soft cushioning, which helps reduce pressure on your horse’s back while allowing for improved airflow. The fleecy lining offers comfortable support on key pressure points, making rides more enjoyable for your horse. Additionally, the foam core under the saddle section enhances overall comfort, ensuring a better experience for both you and your horse.
Rhinegold Luxury Cotton Riding Saddle Pad
The Rhinegold Saddle Pad offers exceptional comfort for both horse and rider, providing a soft layer that enhances your riding experience. Made from high-quality materials, it combines practicality with a luxurious feel, ensuring you look stylish while riding. The fully lined faux fur and trimmed edges add to its elegant appearance, making it suitable for any occasion. Additionally, the included girth placement straps ensure a secure fit, allowing you to focus on your ride without distractions.
Rhinegold Unisex Interchangeable Trimmed Half Pad
The Rhinegold Half Pad offers exceptional comfort and support for both you and your horse. Its shock-absorbing, non-slip saddle panel ensures stability during rides, allowing you to focus on your performance. The 100% cotton outer and lining provide a soft touch against the skin, while the faux fur alleviates pressure points for a more enjoyable experience. With rolled edges and a padded wither, this anatomically designed pad fits perfectly, making it a great choice for riders seeking both safety and comfort.
Rhinegold Luxe Fur Lined Half Pad
The Rhinegold Luxe Half Pad is designed for optimal comfort and support for your horse. Made from 100% breathable cotton, the outer layer ensures excellent airflow, preventing overheating during rides. The densely quilted cotton outer combined with a soft faux fur lining enhances comfort by reducing pressure points. This specially designed faux fur helps distribute pressure evenly, providing shock absorption for a smoother ride. Additionally, the touch tape girth placement straps ensure a secure fit, while the reinforced anti-rub panel adds durability for long-lasting use.
Shires Performance Fully Lined Half Pad - Brown
The Shires Half Pad is designed for sensitive horses needing extra protection. Its fully lined design provides soft cushioning, which helps to reduce pressure on your horse's back. This feature enhances comfort during rides. The fleecy lining offers added cushioning on key pressure points, ensuring a comfortable experience for your horse. Additionally, the foam core under the saddle section further increases comfort while riding. With highly breathable 3D Air Motion mesh zones along the spine, you can be assured of improved airflow, keeping your horse cooler and more comfortable.
WeatherBeeta Memory Foam Half Pad, Black
The WeatherBeeta Half Pad offers a soft and breathable anti-slip design that provides extra protection for your horse's withers and back. This pad features superior shock absorption, helping to distribute pressure evenly and enhance your horse's comfort during rides. Additionally, its anti-microbial and anti-fungal properties ensure a hygienic experience, while the quick-drying material keeps the pad fresh. With this pad, you can also improve the fit of your saddle, ensuring a more secure and comfortable ride for both you and your horse.
Shires Performance Suede Half Pad in Burnt Orange
The Shires Suede Half Pad is designed for comfort and performance. Its cob/full size ensures a good fit, allowing you to ride with ease. The burnt orange colour adds a stylish touch to your riding gear. Made from high-quality suede, this half pad provides excellent cushioning, helping to protect your horse's back during rides. You will appreciate the enhanced grip it offers, ensuring that both you and your saddle stay securely in place. This product is a great addition to any equestrian's collection.
Luxury Rhinegold Cotton Horse Riding Saddle Pad
The Rhinegold Saddle Pad offers exceptional comfort and quality for both horse and rider. Its soft cotton material creates a cushioned layer, enhancing your riding experience. The luxurious faux fur lining and trimmed edges not only provide a stylish appearance but also add to the overall comfort. With included girth placement straps, you can ensure the pad stays securely in place during rides. Choose from various sizes and colours to find the perfect fit for your horse or pony.
Rhinegold Non-Slip Gel Saddle Pad, White
The Rhinegold Non-Slip Saddle Pad offers exceptional comfort and support for both horse and rider. Its shock-absorbing design helps to reduce impact, ensuring a smoother ride. The 100% cotton outer and lining provide breathability and softness against your horse's skin. The faux fur padding alleviates pressure points, making it ideal for long periods of use. Additionally, the rolled edges and padded wither enhance comfort, ensuring a snug fit that keeps the saddle securely in place.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is a half saddle pad used for?
Correction half pads primary purposes are to aid in saddle fitting. They are equipped with special pockets on the top section of the pad to allow the addition of “shims” to the pad. Shims are additional inserts that make the half pad thicker to fill in gaps between the saddle and the horses back.
2. Are half pads good for horses?
Using a half pad can help to make the saddle fit your horse better as he grows and gets into shape. This can save you from having to buy new saddles frequently as he grows out of his old ones. Once your horse stops growing or gets back into shape, you may be able to ride him without the saddle pad.
3. Why should you use a half pad?
Half pads are used for shock absorption A half pad can be used for multiple purposes. Some people use it to absorb shocks during riding. It also minimizes the impact of the saddle and the pressure of the rider. This offers a lot of comfort to the withers and spine which makes it easier for the horse to move around.
4. Does every horse need a half pad?
Nowadays, there is a mind-boggling array of padding options for tack, and more and more riders seem to be plumping for half pads under their saddles. But is it always necessary? “Ordinarily, a well-fitting saddle does not need a pad,” says Freedom Saddlery's Steph Bradley.
During our half saddle pad research, we found 48 half saddle pad products and shortlisted 10 quality products. We collected and analyzed 4,748 customer reviews through our big data system to write the half saddle pads list. We found that most customers choose half saddle pads with an average price of £26.55.
The half saddle pads are available for purchase. We have researched hundreds of brands and picked the top brands of half saddle pads, including Naturally Sheepskins, Shires, Rhinegold, Weatherbeeta. The seller of top 1 product has received honest feedback from 71 consumers with an average rating of 4.8.
Happy Pet Happy Owner by Chloe Foster sold over 100 thousand copies in the UK. Chloe worked as a veterinarian in The Veterinary Medicines Directorate, Woodham. She stayed for seven years before coming home to set up her pet store in Swansea. Chloe is an experienced veterinarian with a flair for literature. Chloe is vast in the knowledge of animals, animal nutrition, medication, and care.