On Eventing Trend: Mattes Pads
When I was just a wee half-pint with a little pony named Sun Polish I rode with a thin, fleece saddle pad. That was it. If the saddle didn’t fit the going wisdom said to throw a spongy pad shaped like a lollipop under the saddle and call it a day. I cringe to think of it.
But these days things are different. After my hiatus from riding (I had to fit those books and brick-lined streets of Boston in somewhere) the view of the saddle looked very different. Much fluffier.
Suddenly every rider sat atop a fluffy pad called a Mattes Pad whether in the dressage ring:
or hunter ring:
Or on the cross-country course in your colors:
But do they work? Do they protect your horse’s back? Look fancy? Wick sweat? The truth is I don’t know. But I must confess I jumped on board. They do look fluffy and fancy and you know I go for that. So if they bring some benefits then I’m pleased. In the mean time we’ve made big strides since the days of the fleece saddle pads and spongy lollipops. And that suits me, and Ellie, just fine. Do you use a Mattes Pad?
21 June 2010 | Adam Diehl Said:
Honestly, I’m skeptical about any sort of thick, fluffy pad. The thing is, with a properly-fitted saddle, all you really need is a thin pad and you’re not doing your horse any favors to use a thick, fluffy one. Imagine having a very well-fitting pair of shoes and then putting on a pair of thick, wool socks! So, my advice is that, if you MUST use a thick, fluffy pad, make sure you use it when you’re test-fitting your saddle and get one that fits with the pad you’re going to use. (again with the footwear analogy: you always wear thick socks when you go to try on winter boots, don’t you?) Then you’re stuck with always using the thick pad but at least you know the saddle fits!
Now if you’re dealing with a saddle that DOESN’T fit properly, that’s another story. There’s people who will tell you to pad up, use a riser, etc. and this can work to some extent with a saddle that’s a bit too wide. However, you’re ALWAYS best off to trade it in on a saddle that actually fits or, if the tree is the right width and is bridging or pressing in spots, having it reflocked to fit your horse’s shape. You should NEVER ride in a saddle that’s too narrow, no matter what kind of pads and gizmos you put underneath it!
21 June 2010 | eventer79 Said:
I don’t use a Mattes pad — I simply refuse to buy trendy things and they are ridiculously overpriced. Also, in most cases, your saddle should fit properly so all you need is a thin cotton pad to keep sweat off. I do have a Fleeceworks sheepskin pad with wither cutout — and it’s function is to make my jumping saddle fit because despite the many throes of my saddle fitter, it still wouldn’t sit QUITE high enough above the wither. With the cutout pad, it does.
The true function of a sheepskin pad relies on the natural properties of sheepskin, i.e. air circulation, wicking, and softness on the horse’s back. So the fluffy part is supposed to be directly against the horse’s skin. If you put a pad underneath it, you are making the sheepskin pointless.
21 June 2010 | Courtney Said:
Hey Adam,
You make an excellent point about a correctly fitting saddle. Especially something that’s custom fit! I’ve noted that the Mattes pads also come in a version with a pocket for little shims. Thanks for your input, it’s very welcome!
21 June 2010 | Courtney Said:
Hey Eventer79, It’s great to get your thoughts. I’m glad for the extra pointers about the natural wicking properties. They do make saddlepads that would go right against the horse..perhaps I’ll opt for that one in the future! I would love to hear from someone who already has one like that and can weigh in. Thanks all around!
21 January 2011 | Emily Said:
I see this is an older posting, but wanted to add my two cents!
I own a fleece pad, Mattes no, I’m not that rich… but VERY compariable (and in my opinion just as good of quality) lesser brand I found on ebay brand spankin new for $50.
I do not use it on my current horse because my saddle fits like a glove, if I try and use that pad and look trendy the saddle fit becomes too narrow and it perches on his withers. If anything I’ll use a very thin (like 1/4″ gel pad).
I find fleece pads which are great if you have a young or unfit horse that you have a saddle that WILL fit in a year or so when the horse builds topline, but at the moment it does not, so a nice fleecy pad is used to fill in that hollow behind the shoulder. I have personally found that to be an EXCELLENT application of these fleece half pads! Ones with shims even more so. Saves you from having to buy a new saddle to fit the horse you have now, only to have to sell it in a year to buy a wider saddle to fit a muscled out back. I’d rather pay $50-100 on a pad to fill in the gaps than $1000+ on saddle purchasing.