Saddle Blankets & Pads

A saddle blanket is a woven textile piece — traditionally wool — that sits between the horse's back and the saddle. It provides protection and some cushioning, and in western riding, is often as much a style statement as a functional layer. McDonald's Saddlery's saddle blankets are woven from pure New Zealand wool and are available in a wide range of colours, patterns and sizes, including a premium Metallic Thread collection.

A saddle pad is a structured, purpose-built cushioning piece designed to absorb shock, protect the horse's back and improve saddle fit. Saddle pads are thicker and more rigid than blankets, and are typically made from wool felt (which moulds to the horse's shape over time), synthetic felt, or a combination of felt with a fleece or canvas top layer.

A saddle blanket pad is a hybrid that combines both: a woven wool blanket top layer with attached felt pads underneath. McDonald's Saddlery stocks several of these, including the MDS Wool Blanket Pad (available with 16mm or 22mm felt pads) and the Stained Glass Wool Saddle Blanket Pad — offering the traditional look of a wool blanket with the added support of felt underneath.

We stock a broad range of western saddle pads to suit different disciplines, horse conformations and riding styles. Our own MDS range includes:

• Wool felt saddle pads in multiple thicknesses (1/2″, 3/4″ and 1″) and sizes (28×28 up to 32×32), including standard, contoured, round skirt and square skirt shapes.
• Fleece-lined saddle pads combining a wool felt core with a soft fleece underside for extra comfort — available in 29×29 and 32×32, in both 3/4″ and 1″ thick versions.
• MDS Signature series pads — our premium line, featuring contoured wither relief cut-outs and reinforced spine design, available in a range of sizes and thicknesses.
• Spine Relief Cut Out pads with a dedicated relief channel along the spine for horses that need additional back clearance.
• Barrel and contoured pads for performance disciplines, including the Contoured Felt Barrel Pad with Removable Shims — which allows you to adjust the fit as your horse's topline changes.
• Decorative and embossed pads — including aztec woven wool pads, embossed panel pads with buckstitching, and decorative felt pads with metallic thread cloth upper layers in green, hot pink, navy and turquoise.
• Work pads in 16mm wool felt or synthetic felt with a canvas top — practical and hardwearing everyday options available in black or tan.
• Mini saddle pads (24×24) for ponies, junior riders and smaller saddles.

Third-party brands stocked include Fort Worth, ACAVALLO, Koda, Weaver and STC.

McDonald's Saddlery stocks one of Australia's largest ranges of Pure New Zealand Wool saddle blankets. Woven from premium New Zealand wool — known for its natural softness, breathability and durability — these blankets are finished with wear leathers for increased longevity in the field.

The range includes plain-colour and patterned wool blankets in an extensive variety of colour combinations, as well as a premium Metallic Thread collection with gold, silver and bronze thread woven through each blanket for a striking show-ring look. Most blankets are available in two sizes: Regular (34″ × 36″) and Oversized (35″ × 41″).

We also stock the Double Weave Saddle Blanket, made from blended synthetic fibres and measuring 32″ × 64″ — a durable, affordable option that is well suited to stock saddles and half breed saddles, available in four colour combinations.

For riders who want the look of a wool blanket with the support of a felt pad, the MDS Wool Blanket Pad and Stained Glass Wool Saddle Blanket Pad combine a pure wool blanket top with attached felt pads (16mm or 22mm) and leather wear pads.

Saddle pad thickness affects cushioning, saddle fit and how the saddle sits on your horse's back. As a general guide:

• 1/2″ pads are the lightest option, suited to horses with a well-fitting saddle and those in light everyday work. The MDS Round Skirt Black Felt Pad and the wool felt and synthetic work pads sit in this range.
• 3/4″ pads are the most versatile thickness — providing good shock absorption without significantly raising the saddle. Many of the MDS Signature series pads and the Contoured Felt Barrel Pad with Removable Shims are available in this weight.
• 1″ pads provide maximum cushioning and are ideal for horses with sensitive backs, horses in heavy training or competition work, or riders spending long days in the saddle. Options include the MDS Fleece Lined Saddle Pad (32×32 1″), the Spine Relief Cut Out Wool Felt Pad (30×30 1″) and the MDS Signature Contoured Wither Relief Cut Out Pad (30×30 1″).

For high-withered horses, a dedicated Wither Pad (1″ wool felt, 9½″ × 12½″ per side) can be added beneath your existing pad for targeted wither pressure relief. The Orthopaedic Saddle Pad is also available — its fleece-lined design specifically reduces spinal pressure and gently supports the back muscles during work. For ponies and junior riders, see our Mini Saddle Pad (24×24).

If you're unsure which thickness is right for your horse, get in touch — we're happy to help you find the right fit.

Yes — our range covers a variety of disciplines and saddle types.

For barrel racing and performance events, the Contoured Felt Barrel Pad with Removable Shims is designed to provide targeted support and stay in place under fast work, with four ventilation cut-outs and adjustable side shims that can be removed as your horse's topline develops. The Barrel Contour Saddle Pad range and the Fort Worth Barrel Racing Felt Pad are also specifically designed for barrel and performance work. The Aztec Woven Wool Saddle Pad is noted as suitable for barrel racing, campdrafting and rodeo.

For stock saddles and half breed saddles, several products are specifically noted as compatible. The Contoured Felt Barrel Pad with Removable Shims has rounded skirts designed to suit round skirt western, half breed and stock saddles. The MDS Wool Felt Work Pad and Synthetic Felt Work Pad suit any saddle including half breeds. The Double Weave Saddle Blanket is explicitly noted as a great option for stock and half breed saddles.

For everyday trail and pleasure riding, the full range of fleece-lined pads, standard wool felt pads and woven wool blankets are suited to western saddles across the board.

Yes — McDonald's Saddlery ships to all states and territories across Australia. Orders over $150 receive free standard shipping anywhere in Australia, and Australia Post's calculated rates apply to orders below that threshold. Express Post is also available at checkout. We ship internationally too — if you're based overseas, please contact us for a shipping quote before placing your order.