How to Make Wool Saddle Pads With Roving Wool

Saddle pads are essential for any horse-back rider. The pads protect horses and riders from blisters and wick away sweat. In his article, "Wool, the Natural High-Tech Material," Mike Easton argues that despite the recent development of high-tech, high-performance fabrics, wool remains one of the most effective saddle-pad materials. It's ability to absorb up to 30 percent of its weight in moisture before it begins to feel wet, as well as its ability to prevent blisters at thicknesses as little as 1 inch, make it ideal for saddle pads. You can make your own saddle pads from roving wool.

Things You'll Need

  • Piece of burlap measuring 1 square yard
  • Yarn needle
  • Cord
  • 5 pounds of wool roving
  • Latch hook
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Instructions

    • 1

      Seam the raw edges of your burlap square. Habitat farm suggests folding in your raw edges to create a 32-inch by 32-inch square. You can whip-stitch your edges into place using your needle and cord.

    • 2

      Draft your roving. Grab a length of roving and split it in half. Grip the roving with your hands about 4 inches apart and gently pull until your roving has reached the desired thickness. Create strips of roving you can easily work through the burlap weave. Habitat Farm advises to not make your roving too thin or your saddle pad will not have sufficient bulk.

    • 3

      Latch hook along one side of your burlap cloth. Depending on how thick you drafted your roving, leave about ½ to ¾ inch between each loop of wool.

    • 4

      Adjust your loops as you work. Habitat Farms suggests making your wool saddle pad 1-1/2 inches thick, with ¾-inch roving loops on both front and back. As you hook each loop, pull to the correct height on each side.

    • 5

      Cover your burlap square with wool roving loops. After you complete your first row of loops, work across the next row in the reverse direction. Continue working from side to side until you have covered the entire burlap square.