Things You'll Need
2 sheets corduroy fabric
Sewing machine, or needle and thread
5 sheets fleece fabric
5 sheets cotton fabric
Tips
Look at different fabrics made from soft or durable materials at a craft or fabric store.
Before using your saddle pad, place it on your horse's back and fit the saddle on securely. Make sure they fit well together and the horse seems comfortable. There should be no edges or fabric corners protruding off of the saddle pad that could injure or annoy the horse.
If you are making a rectangular saddle pad, sew from one side to the other, dividing the pad into quarters, to further secure the padding inside.
A saddle pad sits underneath the saddle to provide cushioning for the back of the horse. It also helps soak up sweat beneath the saddle and ensures that chafing does not occur. This valuable piece of horse tack is composed of many layers of different fabrics, and it is not difficult to make.
Measure the saddle for which you are creating the padding using the measuring tape. The padding should be large enough so that when you place the saddle on top of it, no part of the saddle overlaps over the cloth. The padding cover is best made out of a thick, durable material, such as corduroy.
Trim the corduroy to size. Sew the two layers together, the cords facing each other. Keep one side of the saddle pad cover open to create a sort of pillowcase effect. Turn right side out. The cut edges should be on the inside and the cords on the outside.
Measure and trim the fabric layers that will go inside the saddle pad cover. Alternate layers of cotton and fleece until you have reached 10 layers total. Stack them on top of one another, and make sure all sides and corners are even.
Insert the stacked layers of padding into the corduroy cover. Push them in so they are even with the cover's measurements and that any corners are filled.
Turn the open edges under to form a finished edge. Sew the opening shut. Next, sew down the middle of the saddle pad, from front to back. Doing so will secure all of the layers of padding so they won't shift and bunch up in certain areas.
Add embroidery or patches if you choose by sewing them in.
Photo Credits
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Decent-Exposure-Photography/iStock/Getty Images
