SMART Saddles are pleased to announce the launch of the new SMART Sheepskin Half Pad - specifically designed to combine the benefits of sheepskin with the SMART saddle system for superior comfort & pressure distribution under the saddle.
Why choose a SMART Sheepskin Half Pad?
Materials:
Studies*
show that skin-on sheepskin is one of the best materials to use underneath saddle panels for pressure
dissipation and breathability, so we have carefully combined the benefits of Australian merino sheepskin
with our tried and tested SMART features for optimal saddle fit and performance.
Adjustability:
The premium sheepskin offers a similar degree of lift to that of a slimline SMART Dorsal Supplement Pad, affording extra clearance for those horses who require just a little more support along the base panels. Lateral Velcro strips are positioned for use with SMART shims, so that you can easily adjust the balance of the saddle or add a dorsal pad for those higher withered or leaner back shapes too, enabling quick and easy ongoing adjustments to your saddle fit.
Design:
One of the key features of this design is that it is gullet free, which has multiple advantages. Not only does this help to improve airflow and prevent the wool of the sheepskin impinging on the gullet space, it also enables the flexible base panels of the SMART saddle to engage with the long back muscles either side of the spine independently throughout the stride cycle, ensuring that the performance of your SMART saddle is not compromised.
In addition to this, the SMART Sheepskin Half Pad has a high-wither cut, allowing it to naturally sit up into the gullet of the saddle without pulling down. This helps to keep the clearance around the wither and makes it so much easier to check the fit than when compared with a traditional sheepskin half pad that may have large bulky rolls at the front and around the sides of the saddle. We do not recommend such designs as they can create pressure points and do not offer a universally good fit on saddles.
The SMART Sheepskin Half Pad is a great option for you and your horse if you’re looking to benefit from the natural qualities of sheepskin without compromising on the fit or performance of your saddle. Although this product is designed to accommodate sports horse shapes, it will be suitable for some SMART Native saddle owners too.
We love the SMART Sheepskin Half Pad because:
Available in 2 x sizes:
Medium - size 3+ SMART saddles /Horses 16.1hh and under.
Large* - size 4+ SMART saddles /Horses 16.2hh and over.
*The SMART Sheepskin half pad can be fitted either directly against the horses skin or as a layer between the saddle and saddle cloth. The large size fits most horses and saddles well when used directly on the horses' back, underneath the saddle cloth.
Further reading:
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