Frequently Asked Questions ...
How do I decide what pad/insert to purchase?
How long will a CSI pad last?
What are the dimensions of your pads?
Does the CSI Saddlepad come with a guarantee?
How do I return my CSI Saddlepad if I don't like it?
How do I properly saddle my horse with a CSI Saddlepad?
Will the foam insert make my horse hot or leave gall marks?
How do I keep my CSI Saddlepad clean and in good shape?
How do I use a CSI Saddlepad to fit a sway backed horse?
How does the CSI Saddlepad dissipate pressure?
I'm still not convinced, tell me more?
How do I decide what pad/insert to purchase?
Start with the shape of your saddle. If you have a square skirt, you need to have a square pad. If you have a sports saddle or a round skirted saddle, you may want a pad that follows the cut of your saddle or you may want a square to add contrast - the choice is yours, you just shouldn't pick a rounded pad to go with a square skirted saddle.
To choose the length of your pad, measure your saddle SKIRTS (not the seat) and add 2 inches. The next pad size up is what you need to order. Our 32" pad will fit most adult horses. Our 30" pad is for small horses, Arabs and ponies. Our 34" pad is designed to fit bigger saddles with 17" plus seats and is too big for smaller saddles.
Choose your insert based on your horse's top line and on your personal preference. A 3/4" insert is standard. If you have a really round horse, you may want to choose our 1/2" insert. We feel our foam is great for most riders because it doesn't gall or sore the horse and it's very easy to clean. If you prefer wool next to your horse, you may want to choose on of our combo inserts or a solid felt insert. Our Merino insert is 100% natural and is the actual sheep skin.
We have test pads that have logged 15,000 hours on the outer shells! Chances are the durable outer portion of your pad will be with you a very long time. The inserts do wear out with normal use. If you take reasonable care of it, your insert should last a couple to a few years depending on how much you ride. Inserts are replaceable separately and for just a fraction the cost of the whole pad.
What are the dimensions of your pads?
Download this pdf: CSI Flex-Plate Full Line Descriptions for a complete look at all our pads including shapes and sizes.
Does the CSI Saddlepad come with a guarantee?
Yes. All of our Flex-Plate Saddlepads come with a 30 day money back guarantee. And, yes, we'll take back pads that are dirty or have been used.
How do I return my CSI Saddlepad if I don't like it?
Download this form: returnform.pdf and fill it out completely. You'll need your receipt and a box that is large enough to ship the pad back to us without damaging it. Although we don't mind getting back a used pad, we do ask that you clean the pad before you send it back to us.
How do I properly saddle my horse with a CSI Saddlepad?
Saddling your horse with your CSI Saddlepad is easy, but here are a few tips and tricks. First, make sure you position your CSI Saddlepad so that the Flex-Plate lies over the shoulder area of your horse. It is easiest to put the pad just a little further forward than you would like and then "wiggle" it back into position. Many people want to saddle their horses with the pad and saddle too far forward. See the photos at right for the correct positioning.
For more in-depth saddling information, watch the saddle fit video below.
Will the foam insert make my horse hot or leave gall marks?
The foam insert in our pads is safe as long as it is maintained and kept clean. It will not overheat or leave gald marks on your horse. The PVC foam absorbs about 10% of the moisture generated by your horse as he sweats. This helps keep the pad comfortable on the horse's back. The generated heat flows up the pad and out through the vent holes along the spine and through the gullet of the saddle. Sweat (a cooling process) runs out in a trickle trail that usually coinsides with an area right behind the back cinch. In non-scientific tests with a temperature patch, we have discovered the foam insert is acutally about 10 degrees cooler than our foam/felt combination insert.
How do I keep my CSI Saddlepad clean and in good shape?
The outter part of your pad is constructed of marine grade automotive carpeting; so you can clean it just as you would your car carpeting. We have discovered that a regular lint brush or, even better, a rubber lint brush is wonderful for removing hair and dirt from the outer part of the pad. You can buy the brushes we use on our website.
Foam inserts: Hose your insert off (they velcro out to make this easy) with a garden hose every 4-6 rides. You do not have to use soap unless your insert is really dirty. If you do use soap, use a mild detergent such as EZall. Do not pressure wash your CSI foam insert. Do not expose your foam insert to the sun for extended periods of time. Do not store your CSI Foam insert under your saddle or on a metal saddle rack — hanging the pad from a pad rack or storing your pad flat are the best ways to keep your pad in good condition. You may also store your pad on top of your saddle with the foam side facing up.
Felted Wool inserts: It is very important to keep your felted wool insert clean for the health of your horse. The easiest way to clean your insert is to use a rubber pet hair/lint brush (available on our website csipads.com). After you ride and have allowed your insert to dry completely, brush the dirt, sweat and hair off the insert with the brush. Be sure to be gentle so you don’t damage the felt. You can hose your insert clean when there it gets really dirty, we suggest you use EZall All Purpose cleaner. If you have a felt/foam combination insert, do not leave your insert exposed to the sun for extended periods of time.
Merino Sheepskin inserts: Sheepskin saddle pads must be allowed to dry between rides so that the sheepskin is given a chance to stabilize. Prolonged use of a pad without out proper drying may cause stretching or contorting of the leather resulting in damage to your pad. Once the pad is dry, a light brushing of the sheepskin with a wire pet brush will separate the wool fibers and help to keep the wool fluffy and resilient for the next ride. Sheepskin saddle pads should be hand washed in cold water using a mild soap designed for sheepskin. Leather Therapy of the best sheepskin detergents on the market. Two other detergents that have posted good results and can be purchased off-the-shelf are Johnson n Johnson baby shampoo and Ivory Snow Flakes. It is not suggested to wash saddle pads in the washing machine because we find that the ‘agitator’ can be rough on the sheepskin. Remove excess water in the pad by carefully squeezing the water out or placing in your washing machine on the spin cycle only. Do not wring the pad out as it may result in damaging the pad. Sheepskin saddle pads should be line dried out of the sun. Lightly stretch the pad during the drying process to avoid shrinkage. Please do not put this pad in the dryer or on a heating device. Once dry, lightly brush the sheepskin with a wire pet brush to separate the wool fibers.
How do I use a CSI Saddlepad to fit a sway backed horse?
Watch this video:
How does the CSI Saddlepad dissipate pressure?
Watch this video:
I'm still not convinced, tell me more?
Watch this video:
