Yes, we do carry a selection of English Styles made with the same great benefits of our 100% Pure Pure Wool Felt. View our many different English Pads.
5 Star recommends that your saddle pad stick out 1"- 2" in both the front AND the back of your saddle skirts. If you have more than 2" of pad sticking out, the felt can begin to curl up overtime causing it to become abrasive.
Thickness will depend on length of time in the saddle, weight of rider, and the length of time spent riding. However, a general guideline to determine your pad thickness is listed below:
Other factors to consider when determining your thickness:
Choose a skirt shape that complements your saddle skirts.
The mule contour uses a gentler curve along the spine, and has a wider profile over the shoulders to allow for the mule's unique wither and body shape.
The low wither/mule contour is ideal for the flat backed, wide shouldered horse that has little to no wither. It also works great for the unique body shape of mules.
However, please be sure that you truly do have a low withered horse, or you may be frustrated with your pad not conforming well into the dip of your horse's back. If you are not certain, email us a photo of your horse's top line and we will assist you in making the decision.
Most of the time, the normal horse contour will work, even for horses with fairly high withers. However, for animals with high withers that really do need extra clearance, 5 Star recommends the no-gullet hole option, as this allows the contour to continue up and over the wither thus allowing for a higher clearance over the withers creating no pressure in the wither area. We also offer the flex fit cutout option for extremely high withers and for performance horses and trail riding. The wither area is cutback creating no pressure over the withers and allowing the pad to curve down into the unique back line of an extremely high withered horse. This option is great for horses with muscle atrophy as well. Please email us a photo of your horse's top line if you think that this might be the best option for you.
5 Star's NEW 100% pure fleece lining is the perfect compliment to our 100% pure wool 5 Star Pad! It is available on any style 5 Star Pad! It is the ideal addition for those horse's that might have extra sensitive skin or for an additional added layer of comfort and protection for your horse. The natural properties of 5 Star's exclusive wool still function through the fleece lining - wicking sweat, removing heat, and absorbing pressure. 5 Star is... naturally the best!
It is time to clean your pad to remove dirt and salt from sweat. Watch these short video clips to learn when and how to properly wash your 5 Star 100% All-Natural Pure Pure Wool Pad:
5 Star offers a PH Neutral Saddle Pad Cleaner that is safe for your 100% PURE wool saddle pads!
CLEANS+FRESHENS+PRESERVES+SOFTENS
Superior cleaning for wool and other types of saddle pads. Breaks down and softens the tough crust, sweat, grime and hair. Use regularly to improve the look, smell and feel of your pad while extending its useful life. Works on horse blankets, tack, carpets, clothing, boots, and even cleans your truck and trailer.
Instructions for use:
Surface Cleaning: Remove excess hair with a 5 star sponge or a rubber curry comb. Thoroughly wet your 5 Star Pad with warm water if available. Spray cleaner directly on underside of saddle pad until completely wet. Allow to set up to 30 minutes then brush crust & hair away before rinsing well with a water hose using gentle water pressure (do not use pressure washer).
Continue to rinse from the middle toward the outside edges until water runs clear. Repeat as needed. Deep Cleaning: Mix 6-8 oz. of concentrate per one gallon of warm water. Submerge the saddle pad and allow it to soak overnight
(8-10 hours). Agitate periodically to work solution into pad fibers. Rinse under gentle water pressure. Allow to air dry. Always spot test first on a small, inconspicuous area if being used on a sensitive fabric or surface.
CLEANS 4-6 Pads per bottle.
If your pad extends past the front or back of your saddle more than 2", it can begin to curl up over time and become abrasive. 5 Star only recommends 1" to 2" of pad sticking out around your saddle in both length and width.
Most often we find that when your 5 Star Saddle Pad slides, it is due to poor saddle fit or from using a horse contoured pad on a flat or low withered back. If your pad is too thick, it can sometimes cause sliding as well. For a personal consultation, call us at 870-389-6328.
If your horse has a sway back, you should choose a pad of at least 1" to 1 1/8" thick with the flex fit wither relief. This allows the pad to flex and contour into your horse's unique backline. We also have shims available for extreme backlines. For a personal consolation, please call us at 870-389-6328.
5 Star's industrial grade 100% all-natural pure pure wool has a compression ratio of 6.0 PSI and a Tensile Strength of 200 PSI which allows the weight to be dispersed away from pressure points on your horse's back. The qualities of wool allow it to wick moisture, up to 20X its weight, and remove heat away from your horse. 5 Star pads are contoured and do not slip. They will continue to conform to the shape of your horses back with repeated use. 5 Star Equine's 100% All Natural Pure Wool Pads offer the BEST PROTECTION for your horse's back! Although 5 Star provides the best protection for your horse's back, it will not completely resolve a saddle fit issue.
5 Star pads range in thickness from ½" to 1 1/8" thick! The thicker pads have "more of the good stuff" between your saddle and your horse's back! If you are unsure what thickness to get, call us at 870-389-6328.
Yes, we do take custom orders. Each pad is hand made with many different options available for you to customize your one of a kind 100% Pure Wool Saddle Pad.
You can customize your pad online, or call us to order your pad today at 870-389-6328.
Yes, we do custom embroidery and can digitize your artwork for an additional digitization fee. If you don't see a standard design that you want online, call us at 870-389-6328, we may have the design in our library. If we don't have it, we can create it!
5 Star's 100% pure pure wool felt can be custom cut to your exact specifications! Measure your saddle length and width, or trace an outline of your saddle onto a sheet on your horses back and send us the template. We will be happy to work with you on your custom pad!
We have 5 standard wear leather options available at no additional charge. Brown, Dark Brown, Black, Aged Bark and Latigo.
If you do not specify a choice, your pad will be as follows:
5 Star uses 5 to 6 ounce oil tanned cow hide purchased in the U.S.A
5 Star only uses real hide from real cows thus creating a natural variance in colors and patterns from one hide to the next.
5 Star's 100% pure pure wool felt comes in natural, cinnamon brown, dark chocolate, black, pink, purple, turquoise, red, or royal blue dyed with all-natural vegetable based horse and environmentally safe dye. There is the potential (although we have not had any complaints) of the bright dyes bleeding onto your horses' back initially. If this arises, it should subside after a few uses. This would be more noticeable on a light colored horse and is perfectly safe as the dye is an all-natural vegetable based dye that is safe for both you and your horse. We do have pad liners available that can be placed between the pad and your horse if this is a concern.
Not all colors available in every thickness.
Natural felt and cord has been processed much less than dyed ones. Therefore, when you purchase a dyed product, you are paying for the materials and labor that went into creating it. The brightly colored dyes are more expensive therefore the price of the pads will also reflect this cost.
5 Star does not recommend double padding, however if you need to protect your investment (especially during springtime shedding), we offer a pad liner in a lower grade felt to keep costs down. This liners are inexpensive and easily replaceable. They are also good to use during changes to your horse's comfirmation. They come in either a 30" x 28", 30" X 30" or 32" X 32" and can be ordered in custom sizes by calling 870-389-6328.
The 5 Star Pad Liners and Cinch Savers are made with a slightly lower quality felt to keep costs down as they are simply used to protect your investment especially during spring time shedding. Rest assured that the 5 Star pad that you use will bond to the liner and continue to wick up through the liner both absorbing moisture and cooling your horse. The bond creating between the pad and liner will prevent slipping.
Watch this short video to learn how to properly brush your 5 Star 100% Pure Wool Pad:
Every 5 Star 100% Pure Wool Saddle Pad comes with a rubber sponge to keep your pad clean. We recommend that you brush your pad in a circular motion after every ride to remove dirt, hair and debris. Your pad can be cleaned both damp and dry after a ride. We do have replacement sponges available to order if you need a new one. Watch this short video to learn how to properly brush your 5 Star 100% Pure Wool Pad:
Every 5 Star 100% Pure Wool Saddle Pad comes with a rubber sponge to keep your pad clean. We recommend that you brush your pad in a circular motion after every ride to remove dirt, hair and debris. Your pad can be cleaned both damp and dry after a ride.
Every 5 Star 100% Pure Wool Saddle Pad comes with a rubber sponge to keep your pad clean. We recommend that you brush your pad in a circular motion after every ride to remove dirt, hair and debris. Your pad can be cleaned both damp and dry after a ride. When your pad starts to get hard areas of dirt and dried salt, it is time to wash your pad. We recommend hanging your 5 Star Pad by the gullet hole and washing it with either Woolite ® or a horse safe shampoo and a water hose. Wash from the top down, make sure you remove all traces of soap, and let your pad dry completely before use. Never lay your 5 Star pad on its back to dry as the lacing can come undone.
RECOMMENDED CARE INSTRUCTIONS can be viewed at 5 Star Pad Care and Cleaning.
Watch these short video clips to learn when and how to properly wash your 5 Star 100% All-Natural Pure Wool Pad:
If your pad has lost its compression, and you don't feel like has the same protection that it did when your pad was newer, it's time to replace your pad.
Please see the Shipping and Deliveries Section on our Shipping Page.
Please allow 5-10 business days for your handcrafted item to leave our facility. Transit times vary based on location. See the map below.
You can order directly from 5 Star Equine Products online or via telephone by calling us at 870-389-6328.
Our dealer locator can be found here. Enter your address to find a dealer near you!
5 Star Equine Products ships internationally and has dealers worldwide! Check out our shipping page or our dealer locator to find out how to get 5 Star Pads in your country.
If you haven't placed it on your horse's back, you can return your 5 Star Pad to us for an exchange or a full refund. If you are unsure about the size, style or fit of your pad, place a sheet on your horse's back before trying on the 5 Star Pad. Custom orders are final and cannot be returned. Custom pads consist of any pad that has wear leather changes (color, length, style), embroidery, crystals, spots, fringe, cutouts, special wither options, special cut pad styles, etc. If it is not a standard pad with the basic wear leathers that come standard on the pad with a standard gullet hole, it is considered custom.
Cinchas are available in natural, solid color, pinstripe (alternating strands of 2 different colors), or candy stripe (created using 1 cord of twisted colors). You can also add half diamonds, whole diamonds or diamonds with trim for a custom look. We also offer the traditional Vaquero style cinchas with diamonds, bars, bells, and a shufly tassel! For custom orders, call us at 870-389-6328!
5 Star Cinchas are made using flat buckle hardware to prevent pinching. They are available in solid stainless steel or brass and will never rust.
Mohair refers to a silk-like fabric or cord made from the hair of the Angora goat. Mohair is a wool-like fiber that has a lot of the same great all-natural properties as 100% Wool. 5 Star uses only the finest 8 ply mohair available, twisted with minimal tie breaks and consistent tensile strength allowing for a comfortable fit with less cinch soring, no sweat galling, and no strength deficit. 5 Star 100% All-Natural Mohair is spun using no synthetics and is dyed with all-natural vegetable based dyes that are safe for your horse. Please note, it is possible for the colors from the dye to leach onto your horse, but it is perfectly safe. The natural mohair is not dyed and is the color that comes from the Angora goat. For more information on Mohair, please read the article Why Mohair? Article.
This unique combination front and back cincha does not put any pressure on the back of the rib cage and stomach barrel. When a standard back cinch is tightened enough to hold the back of the saddle in place, it constricts the horse's ability to expand its rib cage when breathing deeply. The Y cincha brings all the pressure forward to where the front cinch already is. Thus, the back of the saddle is stabilized with no pressure on the rib cage or stomach barrel. This can be the key to finding that extra edge for riding performance!
5 Star Equine's 100% Mohair Cinchas will last many years with proper care. The 100% Stainless Steel or Solid Brass Hardware will not rust. When your cinch becomes dirty or begins to rub your horse, it is time to clean your cinch. You can soak it in a Woolite ® Solution or use a horse safe shampoo. After soaking, rinse your cinch thoroughly and hang to dry, repeat if necessary.
Yes, we do make breast collars. They are made with the same great cord and buckles as our cinchas and are available in matching designs and colors! The standard breast collar size is 36", but we can custom make one to your specifications. Call us at 870-389-6328 to order yours today.
Our Cinch Saver comes in either the roper or cutter style, and it is made of 100% pure wool felt. Always remember to keep your Cinch Saver clean to avoid the felt becoming abrasive.
We would be happy to assist you with any and all questions! Please call us at 870-389-6328 or email us and what of our representatives will get back to you as soon as possible.
Warranty: We guarantee and stand behind all of 5 Star's workmanship. We also stand behind the 100% Pure Wool felt. We will replace unsatisfactory workmanship or defects in felt due to the manufacturing process or the assembly of the 5 Star pads. We will not stand behind the felt or workmanship if it has not been cleaned or cared for as we have recommended.
The pad that set the standard!
I do not have a 5 star pad. I've looked at them every year at congress but never have been able to get one. My mare is picky, so I want to get what's best for her & to make her feel comfortable while running. I have heard so many great things about the 5 star pad & would love to have one!
I train cutting and reining horses. Both disciplines require a lot out of my horses, and I have never had a sore backed horse yet. I brought a few up for some clients of mine that are into western pleasure and roping, and they are as pleased as I am. In fact, I need to put in another order!
My mare is running harder, clocking better, and is overall happier and more relaxed. I refuse to use any other pad because without 5 star, my mare wouldn't be as near comfortable as she is today." ~Brittany Nice
I am very happy with your saddle pads. I now own three 5 star saddle. Your saddle pads have really made the horse industry a better place, now I can depend on your products to keep my horses from getting sore with all the strenuous activity they go through each summer and winter.
Love the 5 Star Pads, it's the only pad we've used that does not compress down and ensures us our horses are riding in comfort from barrels to trails.