Bareback pads are a piece of tack that makes riding your horse bareback a little easier and a little more fun. These pads are designed to help cushion the horse’s back while also helping to keep you clean and stay on a little easier. There are tons of different types, styles, and kinds of bareback pads for sale all over the world, but only a few come out on top.
What Is A Bareback Pad?
A bareback pad is a saddle pad-like piece of tack that has its own girth to fasten it around the horse. There are hundreds of different bareback pads for sale around the world so choosing one can be rather difficult. The purpose of a bareback pad is to not just cushion the horse’s back when you are riding but to also help you to stay a little cleaner and stay on a little better. Bareback pads can come both with and without stirrups, in an English or western style, and with or without a grab strap.
Where Can I Buy A Bareback Pad?
Bareback pads are generally quite easy to find. YOu can buy them at/on:
- Amazon
- Online Tack/Apparel Sites
- Hardware Stores (sometimes Ace Hardware will have a horse/equine section where tack is sold. Sometimes you can find a bareback pad there)
- Tractor Supply
- Different Blogs & Horse Sites (like this one!)
- Tack Consignment Stores
- Tack Stores
How Do Bareback Pads Make Riding Bareback Easier?
Bareback pads make riding bareback not only a little easier for you but also make it a bit easier for the horse.
The way the bareback pad makes riding bareback a little easier on the horse is by the pad doing a few things. These things include:
- Cushioning the horse’s back and absorbing any shock you might inflict on the horse’s back
- Dispersing the rider’s weight across a greater area making it a little easier to carry them
- Remove the possibility of scratching or poking that could potentially be caused by the rider’s clothing or boots
The way the bareback pad makes it easier for a person to ride bareback is by:
- Offering them some cushion on the horse
- Giving them a grab strap (depending on the type of bareback pad)
- Giving them stirrups (depending on the type of bareback pad)
- Keeping their pants clean from dust, dirt, or shedding hair that might be on the horse’s coat
Using a bareback pad is a win-win for both the horse and the rider. Both benefit from its use.
What Are The Best Bareback Pads On The Market?
There are so many different styles, types, and designs of bareback pads sold everywhere. There are so many different pads to choose from. I went ahead and chose the best of the different bareback pad styles to offer you a good quality selection of all the different bareback pads you can buy.
The Best Bareback Pads For Sale Right Now Include:
Bareback Pad 1: Intrepid International Fleece Bareback Pad
This style of bareback pads is probably one of the most common types of bareback pads used today. These pads don’t have any stirrups so you really are riding bareback. The nice thing about this pad is that it comes with a girth so you can easily fasten it around your horse. There is a grab strap at the front of the pad to make for easier balance in case you need to hold onto something.
These pads are nice because they:
- Add cushion for both the horse and the rider
- Keep the rider’s clothes free of dirt, sweat, and hair
- Keep the rider’s clothes from poking the horse’s back
- Have a grab strap for the rider to hold if they need the extra balance
- Have a built in girth
- The soft seat!
Bareback Pad 2: Best Friend Western Style Bareback Pad
This bareback pad is a great pad for trail riding. Though it, like the Intrepid International pad I mentioned above, stirrups are not a part of the design, there are some traits about this pad that I love.
This specific bareback pad is designed in a western style. The only difference between this pad and an English-style pad is the fact that this pad is more in the shape of a western saddle pad as it is made in a rectangular shape rather than in an English saddle shape.
My favorite things about this pad are:
- The extra cushion that is built into this pad
- The waterbottle holder (built in saddle bags)
- The built in girth
- Larger size so the weight of the rider and pad are dispersed rather than concentrated in one spot
- D-rings in the front if a breast collar or other attachment is needed
- The great appearance!
Bareback Pad 3: Tough 1 Adult Bareback Pad With Stirrups
This is probably one of my favorite styles of bareback pad. I think this is mainly because this design features stirrups which makes it a little bit easier for me to stay on the horse.
This bareback pad design is great for beginners or any level of rider who still want to feel the thrill of riding without a saddle, but still want to feel more secure on the horse than they would if there was nothing but a pad.
The great things about this pad include:
- The built in girth
- The stirrups
- The thick pad that offer cushion to both the horse an the rider
- The grab strap for extra security if the rider needs to hold onto something
- Adult sized so the weight of the rider is better dispersed
- Adjustable stirrup length
- The awesome pattern!
Bareback Pad 4: Tough 1 Polypropylene Bareback Pad With
This style of bareback pad is probably the most similar to that of a saddle seeeing it has a small roll on both the front and back of the pad to mimic the pommel and cantle. Not only thi, but this pad also has stirrups, a grab strap, and a latigo so a cinch can be properly attached.
This bareback pad is great for trail riders, beginner riders, or anyone else who just wants to get away from the saddle, but still wants some extra security.
My favorite traits about this bareback pad are:
- The false pommel and cantle to help keep you centered on the horse
- The stirrups for extra security and balance
- The grab strap if you need to take a holod something to stay aboard
- The accessory bags for snacks, phones, bluetooth speakers, and whatever else you need to take with you
- The thick padding to cushion both you and the horse
- The large size to distribute the rider’s weight
- The cool look!
I hope that this has helped you to pick out a new bareback pad to test out with your horse!