LeMieux Essence Saddle Pad SS26

Choose the cut to match your saddle: the Dressage Square under a dressage saddle, the Close Contact Square under a jumping or close contact saddle. Before you saddle up, set the pad generously into the wither hollow and pull it up once the girth is done, so that the high wither cut and the 3D carbon mesh spine channel stay genuinely clear of the wither and the spine. Only then do they do what they were made for.

Use the hidden girth loop channels to place your girth in the same spot every time. That helps the stability of your saddle and stops the pad from pulling crooked over time.

Before washing, close all hook-and-loop fastenings firmly so they do not catch on the rest of your laundry. Wash the pad on a normal cycle at 30°C, preferably in a wash bag and in a drum with enough room. Pull it back into shape while it is still damp and let it air dry, away from a heat source. Do not tumble dry.

This saddle pad is intended for dressage and jumping riders who train a lot and intensively, and who expect their kit to contribute to their horse's thermal comfort. It is particularly interesting if your horse sweats quickly and heavily: that is when the moisture-activated self-cool lining and the carbon mesh spine channel come into their own. If your horse has a pronounced wither, the high wither cut is a real advantage too.

If you mainly hack out quietly or ride short sessions, you do not need this technical build and a simpler training pad from our range will do. If what you are really after is extra cushioning under the saddle, choose a thicker padded model, because the Essence is built around a thin, close-fitting lie rather than around volume. And watch the cut: a dressage pad under a jumping saddle, or the other way round, never looks right.

Set the pad generously into the wither hollow and pull it up once the girth is done, so the wither and spine stay clear. Place your girth through the hidden girth loop channels in the same spot every time. Before washing, close all hook-and-loop fastenings and wash on a normal cycle at 30°C, preferably in a wash bag and a roomy drum. Pull it into shape while damp and let it air dry, away from a heat source. Do not tumble dry.

Which disciplines is this saddle pad suitable for?
For dressage with the Essence Dressage Square and for jumping or close contact work with the Essence Close Contact Square.

How does the self-cool lining work?
The lining is woven with cooling fibres that draw heat away from the skin and move sweat away. It is moisture-activated: the warmer your horse, the harder the cooling lining works.

What is the 3D carbon mesh spine channel for?
The open channel above the spine lets air flow through the pad, so heat does not build up there.

How do I wash this saddle pad?
On a normal cycle at 30°C, preferably in a wash bag and in a roomy drum. Close all hook-and-loop fastenings first. Pull the pad back into shape while it is damp and let it air dry, away from a heat source.

Can this saddle pad go in the tumble dryer?
No. Let it air dry, away from any heat source.

Which colours is it available in?
In Fondant, Jungle and Powder Blue.

Is this saddle pad suitable for a horse with a high wither?
The high wither cut keeps the pad clear of the wither and reduces pressure on that point, which is most noticeable on a pronounced wither.

What are the hidden girth loop channels for?
They let you place the girth in exactly the same spot every time, which benefits the stability of the whole set-up.

• The LeMieux Essence saddle pad comes in a dressage cut (Dressage Square) and a close contact cut for jumping.
• The self-cool lining is moisture-activated and works harder as the horse gets warmer.
• A full 3D carbon mesh spine channel provides maximum airflow above the spine.
• The high wither cut reduces pressure on the wither and supports saddle fit.
• The outer fabric is a contour-quilted soft shell with a soft, friction-free binding all round.
• Hidden girth loop channels and elastic billet strap keepers ensure precise placement.
• The pad is available in Fondant, Jungle and Powder Blue.
• It is machine washable at 30°C and must be air dried.