EQUITIME Endurance Saddle Pad in Pure Merino Wool

The EQUITIME pure merino wool saddle pad is made entirely of breathable 3D fabric, with the surface in contact with the horse lined in pure merino wool. It is a configuration designed for endurance riding and for all long-distance use, where the back stays under the saddle for many consecutive hours and the management of heat and moisture becomes a technical parameter before being a matter of comfort.

SELECTED TOP-QUALITY WOOL:
Merino wool comes from a specific breed of sheep and has a considerably finer fibre diameter than common wool. The finer the fibre, the lower the stiffness of the individual filaments and therefore the friction against the skin: the material is soft and non-irritating even in direct, prolonged contact, which helps limit rubbing and pressure points on long rides. Merino wool also provides natural thermoregulation, managing water vapour and keeping the contact temperature stable both during work and in the recovery phases.

The substantial difference compared with other pure wool saddle pads on the market lies in the internal structure. In most products of this type the wool is bonded to non-breathable fabrics that absorb water and sweat, resulting in added weight and reduced heat exchange. EQUITIME instead uses a technical open-structure 3D fabric, also used in the aerospace and medical fields, which maintains a continuous air channel between saddle and back. The result is a level of breathability that no other pure wool saddle pad is able to offer.

The same 3D fabric also performs the shock-absorbing function. The three-dimensional structure distributes pressure across the bearing surface and absorbs the repeated stresses of prolonged trot and canter, while keeping thickness to a minimum: the rider's centre of gravity stays low and leg contact remains unchanged, an important requirement with endurance saddles and in order not to load the horse's joints.

ONE-PIECE CONSTRUCTION AND ANATOMICAL CUT:
The saddle pad has been designed as a single piece: the innovative inner material made it possible to build it as one element that adapts to the shape of the horse's back and follows its conformation. The wither area is set further back than on conventional saddle pads on the market, leaving the withers completely free and eliminating pressure and rubbing in one of the most critical areas, especially over long distances.

The fastening system has been redesigned as well. The nylon straps for the billet passage are stitched in the centre: the billets stay closer together and the pad does not shift under the saddle, gaining stability during prolonged work. For saddles with a long girth (double flap), simply cut the central stitching to obtain a single loop for the girth to pass through. One saddle pad, compatible with both saddle configurations.

The material does not absorb water. During cooling in competition or after washing, the pad does not gain weight and dries quickly. The structure of the fabric also allows it to adapt to the conformation of the back, with no folds or concentrations of load.

Designed and manufactured in Italy, the EQUITIME pure merino wool saddle pad combines the properties of a high-performance natural fibre with a textile structure of technical derivation.

Available in the EQUITIME online shop and at our saddlery, where our team can assist you in choosing the size and configuration best suited to your horse and to your endurance saddle.

WHICH HORSES IS IT RECOMMENDED FOR?
The EQUITIME saddle pad is particularly suitable for horses with sensitive skin. Delicate, unpigmented skin is thinner and reacts readily to rubbing, heat and trapped moisture. The same applies to horses with fine skin, a common trait in the Arabian and Anglo-Arabian. The pure merino wool contact surface is also suitable for horses that show skin reactions to prolonged contact with synthetic materials: the 3D fabric stays confined to the inner layer and the horse touches natural wool only. A recommended choice for delicate horses and for those with a history of saddle-related irritation.

Endurance Saddle Pad Merino Wool & 3D Fabric | EQUITIME
Endurance saddle pad in pure merino wool with breathable 3D fabric: absorbs no water, shock absorbing, low profile. Made in Italy by EQUITIME.