Riding pads
Other horse people, on the other hand, are very enthusiastic about riding pads and hide saddles. They want a natural feeling on the horse's back, want to feel every movement and have a little more support through the pad than when riding without a saddle.
So where does the truth lie? Is a riding pad or a felt saddle harmful to the horse's sensitive back?
The answer to this question is, as with many topics in the world of horses: It depends on you and your horse, and what you intend to do with the riding pad. What models and types are there and what are the respective areas of application? The riding pad, pad or also bareback pad means the same thing, namely treeless saddles that are attached to the horse's back with a girth. There are riding pads with stirrups and without.
The saddle is a treeless pad padded with lambskin. Lambskin has the advantage that it absorbs sweat and is antibacterial. Furthermore, the fur provides additional padding and thus protects the horse's back. This riding pad is available with stirrups, but you should use it without, because the stirrups can cause pressure peaks and this would stress your horse and damage the back if you were to ride with stirrups for a long time.
The hide saddle is well suited for short training sessions where you want to train your seat and follow your horse's movements. Furthermore, the pad is very comfortable.
The felt saddle, in contrast to the hide saddle, has a moulded inlay made of different foams. This inlay puts the rider upright and protects your horse from too much punctual pressure. The girth is fitted in a way that is gentle on the horse, and the horse's withers do not receive any pressure. Since the felt saddle does not use stirrups, no pressure is built up on the horse's back.