Saddlecloth
A saddlecloth protects both the horse and the saddle .
For the horse, the saddlecloth creates additional padding that can compensate for small inaccuracies in the fit of the saddle, but this is a significantly poorer alternative to a perfectly fitting saddle. The main purpose of the saddlecloth is to protect the saddle from dust and dirt from the horse's coat, as well as from the (albeit slight) friction of the horse's skin. In order to ensure air circulation under the saddle and not to build up pressure on the spine, they must be enclosed in the saddle so that they do not touch the spine.
There are different forms of saddlecloth that are heavily geared towards their main purpose. In equestrian sports, a breathable and sweat-absorbing blanket is preferred, which on the one hand should prevent the horse from sweating too much under the saddle and on the other hand should protect the saddle from horse sweat. These saddle blankets usually have the same shape as the saddle in order to ensure the highest possible accuracy of fit and to prevent pressure points from the blanket itself.
In western riding , a so-called western pad is preferred, corresponding to the saddle , which covers a larger area of the back and offers stronger padding than the saddlecloths common in classic riding. The background is that the riding style is borrowed from working with the horse and the horse should therefore run under such a saddle all day, which requires particularly good protection of the back.
The woilach , a multi-fold wool blanket that can be used multiple times , was often used in horse riding and earlier also in the military .
For festive performances and also for trail riding are now also like valances used.
