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General Saddle EducationSMARTFLX™

HOW TO CARE FOR YOUR VersaFit™ SADDLE PAD

Blog Header Care for Pad

Need to know how to care for your saddle pad?  Here are your simple care instructions for the VersaFit™ IDX™Pad or AirPad™ (and could be useful for other makes/brands).

Your saddle pad is an investment, so be sure to care for it regularly so it can perform for you at the highest capacity for the longest time possible.
Dirt and hydrochloric acid (in your horse’s sweat) damage your pad’s materials and promote ‘slippage’.  In addition, your horse’s comfort will be increased if you keep it clean. 

A good cleaning regime for your saddle pad makes good sense, as it does for all your tack.
Our range of IDX™ and AirPads™ comes with simple care instructions.
Follow these ‘how-to’ steps (especially after the Summer months) to ensure your horse stays comfortable, and your saddle pad stays in tip-top shape.

THINGS YOU WILL NEED :

A big UTILITY SINK // LAUNDRY TUB // MOP BUCKET, some BAKING SODA (or BI CARB SODA), RUBBER TOOL such as  our VersaFit Pad Scraper (a unique rubber grooming tool you glide across horses to remove loose hair, but any gentle rubber style tool similar will suffice – A piece of rubber matting 1/2″ thick may also work).
You will also need a FLAT/CLEAN PLACE to lay out your wet pad to dry – like a concrete driveway.

Note – these instructions (excluding product-specific recommendations) would also benefit any saddle pad; however, please double-check with the manufacturer’s instructions to be safe.

IDX™ PADS :

PAD COVER –

  • Remove foam inserts and TaperShims™ (Remove ‘DRY’, not damp from sweat, foam inserts by bending them into a ‘taco case’ shape around your arm and taking them out via the front pocket) – Be careful not to tear them!
  • Lay your dry and dirty pad on a flat surface once the foam inserts are removed.
  • Use a rubber VersaFit™ Pad Scraper and gently pull hair off the pad with this – best to do this gently while dry in quick, light and short strokes – this will avoid disturbing the fibres and will help to reduce ‘pilling.’
  • Use a utility sink or a large clean muck tub. Fill with warm water and Baking Soda—approx 1/2 cup.
  • Dredge pad in warm water/ baking soda mix and manipulate with your fingers to loosen all dirt and sweat spots.
  • Leave to soak – You might have to change water for really dirty pads.
  • Lay the pad on a clean flat surface out of direct sunlight for drying – You will have to flip the pad once dry on one side.

IDX™ FOAM INSERTS –

  • Soak in a water/baking soda mix and squeeze repeatedly to flush out sweat
  • .5 cup or more + 5 gallons is a good ratio
  • Rinse and work out sweat with fingers
  • Place on a flat surface (a slant board is good) to dry, being sure to turn over halfway through drying
  • Tip – Always store your pad upside down between rides so the ‘sweaty’ surface is facing out, and dries
  • Do not store under your saddle

AIRPADS :

  • Firstly, remove all Air Cells and TaperShims™
  • For older TecGrip™ laminated surface, scrub with a gentle bristle brush and water with mild detergent
  • For TecFleece™ surface, be sure to be ‘gentle’ with the fibers when washing to avoid ‘pilling’. It is best to use small, light strokes with a VersaFit™ Pad Scraper or similar to remove stubborn dirt/sweat prior to washing and while dry
  • Dredge cover in warm water/baking soda- 1/2 cup baking soda to full warm water muck bucket (or .5 of a cup to 5 gallons water)
  • Manipulate the fibers with your fingers
  • Leave to soak – You might have to change water for really dirty pads.
  • Lay pad on flat surface out of direct sunlight for drying. You will have to flip pad once dry on one side
  • TIP : Store upside down, with air valves ‘open’ between rides so the ‘sweaty’ surface is facing out, and dries
  • Do not store under your saddle

We hope this has answered your question of ‘How To Care For Your Saddle Pad’.  Any further questions, please be sure to email us at [email protected]

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