Re: RC: saddle pads and cinches

[Linda Flemmer <bluwolf@earthlink.net>]

Maryanne Stroud Gabbani wrote:

> I'd like to ask a stupid question about
> saddle pads.  What is this toklat that people talk about, a type of pad, a
> brand of pad?

Toklat is a company name that makes a wide variety of products - interference
boots, girths, pads, etc.  The Toklat Woolback pad iswhat most of us are
referring to, I believe.  It is natural wool fibers attached to a fabric backing
so it is completely machine washable/dry-able.  It holds up forever (I'm still
using 2 from 1987 that look pretty good).  They also make a less expensive pad
out of synthetic fibers called the Coolback.  I've had problems with the
synthetic fibers rubbing my old mare who also had a thin coat & sensitive skin.
I really prefer the Woolbacks from Toklat.

Toklat also makes some quilted cotton pads for english and dressage saddles - I
haven't tried one of those for endurance.  They look more like a mattress pad in
composition, for want of a better description.

Sport Tack carries a huge variety of Woolbacks - different sizes, shapes,
thicknesses, some with spots for inserts, even.  They advertise on line at
http://www.endurance.net  Toklat pads aren't cheap, but you get what you pay for
in this case.

>  I also need to replace the cinch sometime soon

Every horse is different.  I've had luck with a mohair string girth for that
"thin-skinned" mare, and my new gelding is most comfortable with an Orthoflex
neoprene girth.  I noticed that we had more problems with irritation from sand
with the mohair girth... that may be a consideration for you, considering where
you live.

Linda Flemmer
Blue Wolf Ranch
Bruceton Mills, WV


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