The pad is a particularly important piece of equipment for the western equestrian, as the western saddle is not inherently padded like the English saddles are. During riding, both horse and rider will be exposed to many shocks through the back, so it can be a good idea to have a western pad with good shock absorption and pressure distribution to protect both horse and rider. You can find such a pad from the exclusive brand Matrix. With a pressure-distributing saddle pad, the pressure from the saddle and rider will be distributed over as much of the horse's back as possible - this relieves stress points on the back where the horse can get sore.  

For western shows, a show blanket is typically used. A show blanket is often a relatively thin woven wool blanket, and it is therefore important that a western pad is placed under your show blanket, as there is not enough padding and shock absorption in the show blanket alone. In western riding, it is an important detail that the horse and rider match for show - therefore the show blanket is an important feature that allows for color and bling.  

There is a wide range of Matrix underlayers with combinations of the different features of the brand. These include the popular underside of Wool Back, which is made of orthopaedic fleece and both provides extra pressure distribution and protects the horse, which may have sensitive skin. Western Pads with Wool Back also have a high level of breathability, which is also an important factor. When the horse has both a western saddle and a rider on its back, there is little opportunity for heat and moisture to leave the horse's back. That's why it's important to have a good western pad that helps the moisture from the horse's back to leave the skin; it increases comfort so the horse is more willing to work.  

A western saddle that doesn't fit properly can cause major problems for the horse's back and therefore its performance - it will have trouble moving optimally because the saddle presses on the shoulders, for example, and it can also prevent the horse from building the right muscles. A build up pad - also known as a correction pad - can help the saddle to lie properly so the horse can work. A Shim Pad correction pad from Matrix can be lifted at the front, middle and rear with inserts that can be rotated to lift the saddle where the horse needs extra lift the most.  

In addition, shock absorption is an important factor. At Matrix, you can choose between three different types of inserts with different degrees of pressure distribution, shock absorption and memory foam. Shock absorption is not only a huge benefit for the durability of the horse's back - it can also be very beneficial for the rider who suffers from back pain.