Horse saddle pads are a big investment, so you need to take care of them to get the most out of your investment. It is important to keep them in the right shape and size so that they continue to deliver the highest protection to your horse preventing sores due to friction and allowing the pressure to distribute evenly. There are different saddle pads that you can buy, and depending on what your horse is comfortable with, you can choose the right saddle pads for your everyday riding experience.
- Storage- The first important maintenance tip is storing the saddle pads. To do this, you’ll need to choose a space that is completely dry and free of moisture. Use saddle racks to appropriate store the saddle. And if you are choosing metal racks, then it would be a great idea to spread a soft towel. After using it, you should lay it out flat because that helps in quick drying up of the saddles. However, do not leave horse saddle pads under the direct exposure of the sun as the UV rays can destroy the natural fibers. Excessive sunlight can also cause cracks due to excess dryness. Due to constant water and moisture accumulation, or constant heat, the color of the saddle pads might fade, so when you choose, you must also know how to store them.
- Clean Regularly- Make sure you clean the saddle regularly. It is one of the best care tips for saddle pads. The perfect solution here is to clean the saddle after every ride. Cleaning and conditioning is important aspect because most of the time, the horse saddle pads become wet due to the horse’s sweat. Clean and dry it properly before putting it back on the saddle rack. The felt pads, trail pads, and the ones with classic gel contours are some of the ones that you can choose and clean and maintain accordingly. However, if you are still using a dryer, make sure that the temperature is below 100 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Check the Condition of The Saddle- Make sure you thoroughly check the condition of the saddle after every ride. Check out for the issues like- fraying areas, wear and tear, cracking leather, or loose stitch. Make sure you get all the repairs on time to ensure the best protection for your horse. There are various saddlers available in the market. Make sure to get repair and replacement services from professionals only.
Now that you know the various ways of maintaining your horse saddle pads, it’s important to ensure that you use the right cleaners and soaps for cleaning the pads.
Which Soap Is the Best for Cleaning Saddle Pads?
Using detergents is not a good idea for cleaning saddles as detergents can cause huge damage. Choose from a host of materials including cotton, felt, fleece, gel, leather, and microsuede. You can read about the cleaning instructions accordingly. Saddles are sophisticated items and shampoo is the best thing to use for cleaning and maintenance. Unlike detergent, there is no fading of the saddles.
Remove Hair from The Saddle
Another important maintenance tip is to maintain horse saddle pads is to ensure that there are no hairs stuck to the pads. Make sure that you remove all the hair from the saddle before putting it inside the washing machine. If you do not remove hair, then it might cause blockage in the pumps and the whole system.
If you want your horse saddle pads to stay longer, make sure you buy the best quality that you can afford. Follow the guidelines given in this article to ensure that you are following the right maintenance methods!
0 comments :
Post a Comment