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.
Thanks to the extra features, the Elite pad can go a little above and beyond what a normal cotton pad can. Photo by Lorraine Peachey.
Everyone has certain things that they are drawn to, especially when fashion is involved. Take me for instance…when it comes to my wardrobe, I’m a boots and handbags kind of girl. And they are among my favorite items that I have fun pairing with everything else in my closet.
When it comes down to it, I simply can’t have enough pairs of boots, or cute handbags. Because there’s always room for one more, riiiiight? A different style. Another color. There are countless varieties, and they can always find a place in my collection.
Around the tack room, an item that I find myself collecting are saddle pads. When you consider yourself ‘queen of all things matchy matchy’ like I do, a saddle pad to go with every possible color scheme is an absolute must.
Many of the pads in my collection are plain quilted pads in various shades of red or blue. Though I also find that a number of neutral pads have taken up residence in my tack room. Various pads in white, black and gray match everything…and look good doing so.
There are many different options aside from color choices. Many pads have additional technology, to help bring improved functionality and performance. I’ve also got a variety of pads to choose from that are non slip, shimmable, or made of other fabrics (i.e. sheepskin).
One of the pads that I’ve used pretty frequently has been the Elite All Purpose Saddle Pad from Weatherbeeta. After using this particular pad over the course of the past year, I’ve found it is still one that I keep going back to time and time again.
I do notice a difference in that my horse appears to be a little drier and feels a little cooler after wearing the Elite pad, than he does while wearing a traditional cotton pad. Photo by Lorraine Peachey.
The outer side of the Elite pad is crafted from a soft and durable sueded fabric that is visually appealing. I found that when mine first arrived, I kept running my hand over the pad, because it feels really soft to the touch. And that soft feel has never gone away due to use.
The under side of the pad boasts a mesh looking lining that helps to wick moisture away. Which is a very helpful feature when I’m striving to keep my horses as dry and comfortable as possible during their time working under saddle.
A feature that is pretty darn cool is the mesh spine, which helps to promote a cool and comfortable ride. The fabric along the spine of the pad is a breathable mesh, which helps to promote extra airflow. Which is always appreciated during hot summer months.
Another great feature, in my opinion, is the grippy silicone Weatherbeeta logo that is on the pad. The grippy logo is strategically located underneath where the saddle will sit. So it can help to reduce slippage during use, while remaining invisible to the eye.
I also find the PVC colored girth patch to be a terrific feature of the Elite pad. The patch feels smooth, yet tough. And, it is located where it can help provide additional durability and also to lessen the wear caused by the girth over time.
I’ve used the Elite All Purpose pad heavily over the past year to school my young horse. And I have found that it performs as well as my normal pads, and then some. Thanks to the extra features, the Elite pad can go a little above and beyond what a normal cotton pad can.
The Weatherbeeta grippy logo is strategically located underneath where the saddle will sit. So it can help to reduce slippage during use, while remaining invisible to the eye. Photo by Lorraine Peachey.
While the suede look of the fabric helps the Elite pad to look a little fancier, the functional features are what really make a difference. In terms of performance, I personally like the grippy silicone logo that does a nice job in keeping my saddle in place while schooling.
And I’ve found that the combination of the wicking liner and the breathable mesh spine to provide great function during the warm weather. The liner and spine work together in order to help try to keep my horse a little cooler and a little more comfortable.
By no means does a wicking pad magically help my horse to stay completely dry under his pad. But I do notice a difference in that he appears to be a little drier and feels a little cooler than he does while wearing a traditional cotton pad.
I also find that I like the styling detail of the small Weatherbeeta logo located on the bottom corner on the left side of the pad. Because of this logo, I make sure to use this pad specifically for schooling, training or just hacking out…basically, for anything other than showing.
And in my experience, I’ve found the Elite pad to be quite durable. Even after heavy use and going through the wash, the pad still looks really nice to the eye. The color of the pad does not appear to have faded, and the fabric still feels soft and durable to the touch.
The Weatherbeeta Elite All Purpose Pad is available in a range of colors in Full size, including White, Purple, Light Blue, Pink, Gray, Navy and Black. The pad is also available in Pony size, in a limited range of colors. The Elite All Purpose Pad retails for $59.99, and you can learn more about it here.
Go Saddle Pads (with a little something extra). Go Weatherbeeta. Go Eventing.
