Welcome to EN’s Product Review series! Who doesn’t love shopping, especially when the object of your search is new gear for yourself or your horse? As an enthusiast of all products equine, I LOVE trying out new gear. Please join me as I narrate my personal journey of trying out all of the products featured. While I will make no recommendations, I hope you have fun reading about my many adventures of trying new products, and that hearing about my personal experiences helps you on your own quest for new gear. Go Shopping.
The EcoGold Secure XC Saddle Pad is an ultra thin, non slip pad that is crafted out of high tech breathable materials, while providing impact protection. Photo by Lorraine Peachey.
I think it’s fair to say that most people tend to have some kind of collection. If you were to open my closet, you’d find out that my wardrobe includes quite the collection of boots and handbags. And that’s ok…I’m just a boots and handbags kind of girl.
But if you’d visit my tack room, you would find something all together different. My biggest vice when it comes to all things tack related would be quite obvious. So, yes. I’ll come right out and admit it…I am ever so slightly addicted to saddle pads.
As a self proclaimed ‘queen of all things matchy matchy’, of course I have saddle pads in various colors. Because I not only like lots of color choices, I also like to be able to coordinate my saddle pad with whatever my riding attire happens to be for the day.
While saddle pad colors are a big deal to a true aficionado like myself, function is also important. There are so many other features and options one can consider when saddle pad shopping. And let’s face it…all of those options can become a bit overwhelming!
It is fairly likely that I’ll grab a different saddle pad each day as I gather up my tack to go for a ride. Depending on what type of riding I’m planning on for the day, the tack that I’ll be using, and the needs of my horse…well, let’s just say that not all pads are created equally.
There is a pad that I’ve been riding for over a year with, that has earned a pretty regular spot in my rotation. It’s an ultra thin, non slip pad that is crafted out of high tech breathable materials, while providing impact protection. What pad am I referring to exactly?
I find the Secure XC Pad to lay quite nicely on my horse’s back…and I’m even happier to see how pleasing to the eye it looks underneath my saddle. Photo by Lorraine Peachey.
I’m talking about the EcoGold Secure XC Saddle Pad. So why do I find myself using the Secure XC Saddle Pad so often? For starters, I love how ultra thin the pad is. The seat area of the pad boasts 100% breathable high density foam to protect the horse’s back, without adding bulk.
However, the flaps of the pad are ultra thin, and contain no padding whatsoever…which helps to provide the rider with a more stable riding position. I’ve been super happy with the amount of protection that the Secure XC Pad provides, with so little bulk.
The ergonomically shaped flaps also fit oh so very nicely underneath my close contact saddle. I find the pad to lay quite nicely on my horse’s back…and I’m even happier to see how pleasing to the eye it looks underneath my saddle.
Looking to the underside of the Secure XC Pad, I like that it is almost entirely covered with a non slip grippy material. Under the wither area though, is a different story. The area of the pad that sits on the withers is crafted out of a smooth material, so as not to cause irritation.
The Secure XC Saddle Pad is made out of high tech 100% breathable materials. In this way, the pad allows moisture to quickly evaporate away from a sweaty horse. So even on hot days, your horse can stay a bit cooler.
I’ve used the Secure XC Saddle Pad on all 3 of my horses, and have found that it works wonderfully. Based on my experience, I feel like the name is very well suited to the pad. Because I can attest to the fact that my saddle does not slip or slide during use!
I also like the EcoGold logos that the pad sports on both sides of the Secure XC Saddle Pad. Photo by Lorraine Peachey.
Even when riding my young gelding, Roo, I feel like the Secure XC Saddle Pad does a really nice job keeping my saddle in place when riding. And it stays right in place even when I’m riding without a breastplate for additional stability.
I’m also happy to know that the 100% breathable high density foam helps to protect my horse’s back from impact as I ride. This has been especially important to me, and is another big reason why I like to use the pad when riding Roo.
After having ridden through an entire Summer with the Secure XC Saddle Pad, I can also speak to the breathability of the pad. While my horses still sweat, I do find that the Secure pad does allow sweat to evaporate and dry at a good rate.
And even though I’m a very happy user of the Secure XC Saddle Pad based on function alone, I still have to mention it’s appearance. I simply adore the Navy color that the pads comes in, along with the option to add your country’s flag to your pad.
Since my XC colors are red, white & blue, my Roo is a really patriotic pony when he shows off his USA pride while wearing his Secure Pad. Flag options are also available for Canada, Australia, Belgium, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain & the UK.
After a lot of use, and being washed multiple times over a year, I’m also happy to report that the pad appears to have held up very well. The color has not faded, and I don’t notice any wear spots. I also like the EcoGold logos that the pad sports on both sides.
The Secure XC Saddle Pad is available from EcoGold, and has a retail price of $170.00. The pad comes in Brown, White, Navy, Black and Burgundy. Adding a flag option (which appears on both sides of the pad) can be done for an additional $10.00. You can find the Secure XC Saddle Pad here.
Go Stylish & Function Saddle Pads. Go EcoGold. Go Eventing.
