|
| |
Note: Links with green
underlines are shopping links and will open in a new window
Saddle Pad Care
A good
saddle pad can be an investment. Below are some tips for taking
care of your saddle pad or blanket.
If your pad or blanket came with care
instructions from the manufacturer,
use the manufacture's instructions instead
of the tips or information you may find here.
Tips For Caring For Your Saddle Blanket Or Pad
- Every few rides put your
saddle pad or
blanket over a pipe fence or stall
door and give it several good whacks with an old tennis racket or
something similar. This will knock off dust and loose hair, and help
to keep dust, dirt, hair, etc., from caking up on it. Do both
sides. Follow by brushing the side that goes against the horse with
a soft or medium horse brush. You can also use a rubber curry comb if you use it
gently. Some sponges also work well for
grabbing and removing dirt and hair. You can use a soft brush or sponge on the top side of the
blanket or pad as well, but don't clean the top side too vigorously or you may
fray the material.
- Vacuums are also good for sucking loose dirt and hair
off of your blanket or pad. Use the hose attachment of your home
vacuum and go over the
entire blanket or pad slowly. You can also use the vacuum at a local
car wash.
At right: A car wash vacuum. When used regularly,
vacuums can do a
good job of removing loose dirt and hair from your saddle blanket or pad. |
 |
|
|
- If your
blanket or
pad is washable and it has caked-on dirt that won't come
off by brushing or vacuuming, wash it. Some blankets and pads are machine
washable, but only use a washing machine if the care instructions that came with
the blanket or pad say you can. Be sure to follow the manufacturer's
instructions carefully. NOTE: Using a washing machine to wash your blanket or
pad can sometimes leave the machine with a lot of loose hair in it. Be prepared
to clean your washing machine after you wash your blanket or pad.
- If you can't machine wash your blanket or pad, you can wash it by hand. You
can allow it to soak in a tub of cool or cold water until the dirt, hair, etc.
has loosened, then you can rinse the dirt off with a garden hose. Brush any
remaining dirt or hair off when the blanket has dried. Don't use soap, just cold
water. Soap can almost never be completely rinsed out of a blanket or pad and
the soap residue could irritate your horse.
- If you can't or don't want to soak your blanket or pad, you can use a garden hose
or the manual spray wand at a car wash. Again, don't use soap, just cold water. On the side of the pad that
goes against the horse you can use a soft or medium bristled brush or a rag to
help loosen any stubborn deposits of dirt or hair. On the top side treat the
material carefully so you don't fray or damage it. If the top isn't particularly
dirty, you may not even need to wash it.
|
- When using a garden hose or a car wash, spray the blanket or pad from the
middle outward so the dirt and hair is constantly moved to the edges and
off of the pad. Do not spray straight down into the pad, as this will just drive
dirt, salt from sweat, and hair deeper into the pad. If you're using a powerful
spray nozzle with your garden hose, or if you're at the car wash, begin spraying
your blanket or pad while standing a little farther back than you think is
necessary then move closer a little at a time. Some garden hose nozzles and car
washes can shoot a very powerful spray and if you're not careful you can damage
your blanket or pad. Powerful sprays of water can help you get your blankets and
pads clean quickly with minimal rubbing or brushing, but you do have to use them
with caution.
- If you take your blanket or pad to the car wash don't hang it up
using the clamps that are often provided for hanging vehicle mats.
Your pad or blanket will get very heavy when it gets wet and hanging
it from the clamps could badly distort its shape or cause it to rip
or tear.
At right: A saddle pad in a clamp at a car
wash. If you take your blanket or
pad to a car wash, do not hang it from the clamps provided for vehicle
mats. |
 |
- Unless the manufacturer's instructions that came with your blanket or pad
say you can place it in a clothes dryer, allow your blanket or pad to air dry naturally. Lay it over a saddle stand, pickup truck tail gate,
sturdy fence rail, or anything else that will allow for a lot of natural air
flow. It's usually best to lay it right-side down instead of upside
down. Don't hang it up as the weight of the water could pull it out of shape
or cause it to rip or tear.
- Your newly washed blanket or
pad might feel stiff after it dries, but it should soften up again
once you start using it. You can also roll it and unroll it to
help if feel softer faster, or simply flex areas that feel stiff
between your hands.
- After several washings your blanket or pad may begin to fade. If
you want to preserve the colors for as long
as possible be very consistent with knocking the dust and hair off
of it, or vacuuming it, every few rides as described in our first tip in order to
avoid having to wash it. If you do
decide to wash it, wash only the side that touches the horse.
- If your newly washed blanket or pad has wear leathers or leather
accents, you can treat them with leather conditioner when they are
still barely damp or when they have dried completely.
|
Saddle Pads and Blankets On eBay |
|
The links below will open in a new window.
|
|
How To...
|
What Is / Are...
|
|
Pages