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LightRider Suede Bareback Pad

Rated 5/5 based on 37 reviews.
$149.00
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Prices vary according to the size.

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These bareback pads are the most affordable design that really works for all types including higher withered horses (when combined with a treeless saddle pad). 
They are approx. 16mm thick so provides good protection for both horse and rider.

There is now a NEW Suede bareback pad with pure wool felt lining available in black, tan brown and red. This style with the synthetic felt lining is being phased out. 

  • Double Girth points are included but can be removed to attach western latigos if desired (purchase here)
  • Size Small (to suit ponies/children/very short backs) measures 16.5" (42cm) long + 16" (41cm) deep.

  • Size Regular (adult size) measures 20" (51cm) long and 18" (46cm) deep.

This unique design features:

  • A shaped centre seam to accommodate the wither - the synthetic pad will shape best to suit higher withers. 
  • Won't tighten directly onto the backbone due to stitched-down webbing on either side of the spine and relief in the webbing over the spine. 
  • Use with your own dressage/short 2 buckle girth or if you need a girth, try our Easy Clean Girth designed for comfort and ease of use.
  • D rings front and back to attach your saddle pad, breastplate, coat, lead rope, water bottle etc.
  • The reinforced handle is positioned across the wither for easy access and correct hand position when holding the reins.

    We recommend you use a cotton saddle pad underneath the Bareback Pad to keep the felt lining clean. A treeless saddle pad (with a centre channel) is best for horses with a very under-muscled back and/or high wither. If you find your pad slips, use a 'sticky' synthetic pad. 

Real suede vs Synthetic? 

+ and - of Real Suede: 

+ 'Grippier' than synthetic.
+ Longer lasting - heavier duty.  
+ Tougher, so less likely to tear.
+ Slightly thicker than synthetic. 
-  Water may leave marks.
-  Suede brush needed to clean.  
- Suede being cowhide, can sometimes have small marks (nicks that don't affect function).

+ and - of Synthetic Micro Suede: 

+ Easier to clean - just hand wash.
+ Better for riding in the water.
+ More flexible so moulds to horses shape easier.
+ Vegan - no animal-derived components. 
- Not quite as 'grippy' or as thick as real suede.
- Not as tough as real suede.  

Why use a bareback pad? 

Bareback Pad Riding

Riding on a 'sticky' suede bareback pad gives you more security than without one, while allowing you the freedom to develop your balance and an independent seat. 

You'll feel your horse's movement better from the closeness a bareback pad offers so your timing, feel and balance will develop. 

Your horse will move more freely than with a saddle so it will be more fun and comfortable for them. 

A bareback pad is ideal for introducing young horses to wearing a girth as it doesn't need to be as tight as a saddle. 
They are lightweight (around 2kg) so easy to carry to the horse, and thick enough to provide padding for your sharp seat bones.
And quite simply - a bareback pad keeps your backside clean!
Please Note: Good bareback pads are not sold with stirrups as they can put you in danger by causing the pad to slip to one side if your balance is thrown suddenly. 
The use of stirrups on a bareback pad can also damage a horse's spine - a saddle has a channel to alleviate that pressure but a bareback pad with stirrups or a girth over the backbone puts pressure directly on the backbone. Read more about this here. 

 

(BBP)

 

Size Small (to suit ponies/children/very short backs) measures 16.5" (42cm) long + 16" (41cm) deep.

Size Regular (adult size) measures 20" (51cm) long and 18" (46cm) deep.

Materials: Real suede leather lined with synthetic felt. 16mm (5/8") thick approx. 

Real Suede being animal hide can sometimes have small marks (nicks) on the surface that doesn't affect functionality.

Suede Colours: Black, Brown, Violet, Navy, Dark Green, Turquoise, and Red (can vary with availability). 

  • Use with your own dressage/short 2 buckle girth or try our Easy Clean Girth designed for comfort.
  • Girth points that are included can be removed to attach western latigos if desired (can be purchased here). 
  • D rings front and back to attach your saddle pad, breastplate, coat, lead rope, water bottle, etc.
  • The reinforced handle is positioned east/west for easy access where it lies on the wither.
  • Includes beta biothane girth straps to suit a dressage girth - you supply the girth to match your horse/pony size. 
Shipping Cubic 0.000025000m3

12 month Warranty on Manufacturing Faults

Bareback pad

By: on 22 March 2024
Best bareback pad I have ridden in . It is designed really well and really fits my horse well . Thank You Cynthia and your customer support is fabytoo
(5)

Amazing bareback pad!

By: on 17 November 2021
I have never ridden in a bareback pad before but was having troubble finding a saddle to fit my pony and myself as I am tall. I thought I would give this bareback pad a try so I could at least start doing some riding. This is hands down one of the best purchases ive made, extremely comfortable, doesnt slip and I feel safe enough to be able to ride anywhere even without stirrups. Who needs a saddle!
(5)

AMAZING

By: on 21 October 2021
One of the best horse related purchases I have ever made! So comfortable and fits well to any horse.
(5)

Highly recommend

By: on 6 December 2020
I had seen review after review of this bareback pad - I tried it myself & wow what a great grippy pad. I feel so secure & great to practice my balance it's now my go to over my fender.
(5)

Bareback pad

By: on 5 December 2020
Fantastic for riding in but faded really quickly. I've had it less than 6 months. Wouldn't bother with a coloured one again.
(4)

Fantastic Bareback Pad

By: on 30 November 2020
I love my new bareback pad and so does my horse. It is incredibly comfortable, fits really well and gives me that extra stability to avoid bouncing and irritating my sensitive Arab mare. The suede cover gives a bit of grip and security. I love using this for training and leg aids, my horse can feel my every move and cue. Great produce at a very good price. Highly recommended.
(5)

Suede bareback pad

By: on 29 April 2020
Love this pad, comfortable, smart, no slip, great colour, love the red! Will be buying one for my partner very soon.
(5)

Bareback pad feels great

By: on 10 October 2019
I recently purchased a second bareback pad (after I bought one earlier for my daughter), I'm very happy with it, it feels secure and my horse Baco seems to like it. Now we can go "all bare", bareback, bare foot and bitless.
(5)

Best thing I’ve ever bought

By: on 14 July 2019
I bought this pad a few years ago to help with my riding and confidence bareback. WOW, it has lasted really well, I use it probably twice a week for anywhere from 30 minute ride to a 3 hour trail with hills etc. It’s super grippy! You feel secure, it has the holy crap strap for “those” moments haha, but most importantly both my horses love it
(5)

LightRider Bareback Pad

By: on 29 September 2018
Absolutely love the bareback pad. Unfortunately, on my mare, it fits a little too tightly across the withers (pressure) so I have had to purchase the treeless saddle pad too... which unfortunately didn't help either. Cynthia was extremely helpful with suggestions, but at the moment I'm having to use my old padded sheepskin, which helps, but not ideal.
(4)

Close contact

By: on 29 September 2018
Beautifully made and well designed, this bareback pad enables me to have a more immediate contact with my horse while keeping me safe (the integral handle is great for balancing a trot). I can trail ride for hours without getting sweaty pants and the thick suede leather gives me a good grip for fast gallops. The best thing is that my horse really takes care of me when he can feel me as part of him... he moves more smoothly and adjusts his gait to balance my weight. A bareback pad is an essential piece of equipment for a good riding experience... says my horse!
(5)

Light rider Bareback pad

By: on 11 August 2018
My horse and I both love the freedom this pad provides. So light and so easy to just throw on and ride off. The suede was very effective in helping you stay on! Also very easy to store in your cupboard! No bulky saddles laying around.
(5)

Suede Bareback Pad

By: on 16 May 2018
Great quality and my son LOVES riding in it!
(5)

Awesome Bareback Pad!

By: on 1 May 2018
Super comfy, grippy, secure pad! High quality and very well made. I trail ride in this pad and find it comfortable and almost as secure and as good balance as a saddle. Grippy enough to stay balanced and secure trotting and cantering, much better than bareback. Goes perfectly with my English pad underneath for extra comfort. Happy horse and rider! Highly recommend. Great seller and fast dispatch/postage too.
(5)

Couldn’t ask for better

By: on 26 November 2017
The bareback saddle pad makes me feel secure and comfortable as I learn to ride bareback confidently. I couldn’t have asked for a better product and I am certain my horses agree too. The red also looks pretty spunky on the horses as well
(5)

Light Ridet Bareback Pad

By: on 17 October 2017
My Granddaughter (13) really loves this Bareback Pad, she says it gives a really comfortable ride, the suede seat gives extra grip, best item I have purchased for her. A great product. Thank you
(5)

Amazing Quality and Looks Great

By: on 17 January 2017
I have a horse with high withers, so this is ideal for bareback. It looks great and feels good. I bought the pad for underneath and it works well together. I am a western rider, so a little confusing how to attach cinch to it to keep it sturdy. I bought the western straps, but no instructions. I am finding no videos that are helpful.
(4)

Great Pads

2 October 2015
Absolutely love these bareback pads ..... So easy and simple to use , the kids throw on their pads themselves and ride all afternoon....
(5)

Synthetic Suede Bareback Pad

By: on 24 July 2015
I decide on a synthetic pad as I am using it for bush riding and as well as getting wet when we cross through creeks, it also gets filthy and sweaty and needs hosing down frequently. I am using a good channelled saddle blanket underneath and the horse seems very comfortable in it. I love the D rings as I need to take a water bottle with me as well as a saddle bag for fencing pliers, lunch e.t.c. Initially I found the suede almost too magnetic and had a job to slide off for the dismount, but that improved as I became used to the pad. All in all a great buy, so much quicker than putting on the saddle.
(4)

soooo comfy!

By: on 29 May 2015
This is the most comfiest thing ever! I like it because I feel closer to my horse and it also gives me a bit of 'stick' if he gets a fright when riding. Better than a saddle and better than bareback! Wish I had got it sooner!
(5)

Great bareback pad!

By: on 26 April 2015
Very comfortable, nice that it takes my dressage girth, super light, very happy with it and the company. Only downside has nothing to do with the pad or Natural Horse World and everything to do with international shipping. Paid for 5-7 working days, it came 12 working days later not including Easter Friday or Easter Monday. Aussie postal service is very poor. Store Owners Note: Often overseas customs procedures will hold up an item too. Afraid we have no control over that.
(4)

The best bareback pad for horse and rider.

By: on 18 March 2015
I've been riding 30+ years, and have yet to find a bareback pad that contours to the horse's back and allows a long enough flap for the rider. This pad is excellent for the horse and rider. I put a tacky tack saddle pad underneath to keep the bareback pad in place and prevent soiling. I use a biothane contoured dressage girth attached to the Cashel girth converter (converts Western to English). It is by far the best I have ridden in and I have bought several. Dolly, my Spotted Saddle Horse and I are both so comfortable. Keep up the good work and continue making the best bareback pad for horse and rider.
(5)

Suede bareback pad

By: on 17 March 2015
Since buying one of these bareback pads I haven't pulled out my saddle once. Best thing I have ever bought.
(5)

The Best Bare Back Pad Really is "the best"

By: on 2 January 2015
I bought a best bare back pad for my daughter for Christmas. I teamed it with a Dixie Midnight pad to keep it clean and found it to be a brilliant combination. My daughter remarked that the bare back pad is super comfy and makes her feel very secure. This is a quality made product and worth every cent. Thanks Cynthia!
(5)

Top quality

By: on 12 October 2014
This bareback pad is aptly named and provides a comfy ride with extra grip and my mare who loves to be ridden bareback is a very happy girl indeed.
(5)

The pads needs a short dresage girth but is otherw

By: on 25 April 2014
I usually ride fully bareback but as I lost weight and my elderly cob always loses a bit of weight over the winter, I thought a pad would be ideal for us. I was first a bit disappointed, as my various girths were all too long and so I experienced a lot of slipping of the pad but after buying a really short dressage girth (50cm/20"), we are finally in business: Both pony and I seem to be happy with it, especially riding with full seated breeches, there is not a single slip. This is especially important as I sometimes take my 2-year old filly on a long leadrope to get her used to the road. She occasionally stops dead in the trot and gone are now the days where I simply slide off my bareback mount, as the pad is so lovely sticky :-). Also good: I give the occasional kid from the neighbourhood a ride and they seem to feel a bit more confident with the pad (whereas my full-sized saddle is much to wide for them). So: so far everybody is happy :-)
(4)

Excellent product!!!!!!!!!

By: on 28 January 2014
I was pleasantly surprised at the quality of this bareback pad for such a reasonable price. I used a thin cotton pad underneath and this worked fine. It is SO comfy that I didn't want to revert back to my saddle. My instructor looked at it too and has said we can do part of lessons using it too. It makes me feel such close contact to my boy and I love it!!!
(5)

Excellent Quality Bareback Pad

By: on 27 February 2013
I am more than happy with my Suede Bareback pad. Very good quality. It is very comfy and has wonderful Grip. I will be using it later on for my Grandchildren. Cynthia I'm not quite sure yet on what would be the best saddle cloth to use with it? Cynthia replies: Thanks Chris - I've found the best saddlecloth to use is cotton one, or if you have a high withered horse, one designed for use with a treeless saddle (has padding either side of the backbone). I am working on designing one especially to go with the pad.
(5)

Excellent value for money and great quality

By: on 19 February 2013
I was thrilled with the quality of this bareback pad. It is extremely well made and excellent quality and i think the price is extremely reasonable. As is all of cynthias products . I certainly would buy here first . Cynthia you need to make alot more products :)
(5)

Excellent product

By: on 19 February 2013
I rode my horse today in this pad and i even felt confident enough to trot which i would not normally bareback . It is very comfortable and well padded.It did not move and kept me securely in place. My horse loved it as much as the light rider bridle.
(5)

best bareback pad is well named

By: on 13 January 2013
I am thrilled with my new bareback pad. Not only does it look great-love the colour options-it is comfortable, doesnt slip, is 'sticky' to ride in, the girth points are well placed not to rub the rider's leg, the handle easy to get hold of, and it fits different shaped horses very well.
(5)

Worth every cent! Thanks again Cynthia : )

By: on 14 November 2012
I am loving my Bareback saddle pad. I haven't needed to use the handy handle as I am too stuck to the saddle pad and I only ever ride in jeans! I have a big standy with huge bouncy movement and this is really helping me get a great core strength. I am also using it for my young Waler as a part of his starting process. I'm constantly telling people about Cynthia because none of her products ever let me down. Qualtiy from a real horseman.
(5)

Your bareback pad is great Cynthia!

By: on 13 September 2011
I bought it to use when I ride my daughter's 12hh pony and it sits so well on her and is very comfortable and feels really secure with the suede to sit on. I like the way the handle sits across ways and the fact it is big enough to hold nicely with both hands in a good position. Hannah felt very safe and comfortable in it when she had the ride recently, that is a good test as she is a nervous little Nellie. Even though it is the large size, we used it on our little 10hh pony and it was great. I was surprised it looked absolutely fine and not too big, two little kids were able to double on the pony and feel really relaxed and happy.
(5)

VERY COMFORTABLE!

By: on 25 February 2011
Very comfortable for horse and rider! Doesn't rub and has excellent grip! Can slip a little. The horses love it and I can canter up a hill with it! I love it much more than my saddle! Even though my saddle is a Kincade and quite comfortable, I will happily ride in your BEST bareback pads anyday! Rather than a saddle!
(4)

it is wonderful :)

By: on 19 August 2010
Even riding without jodphurs it has excellent grip and I actually managed a few circles of trot with my boy. The appeal of the bareback pad for me is that I can ride without having to use the saddle and I will hopefully gain more balance and confidence, and it's good for my horse too because he doesn't like the saddle much, he's sore in his girth area so the bareback pad allows me to ride him without the saddle as it doesn't have to be as tight. Thank you very much, it's worth every penny :)
(5)

Very Impressed

By: on 9 July 2010
I tried the bareback pad today for the first time and am very impressed. I felt very comfortable and safe, and confident enough after a few minutes to do some gentle trotting. This is no small thing as I only started learning to ride at the end of July last year and I have a bit of a phobia of falling, heights and speed, so to be so confident trotting with that pad is really something. The horse I was riding is a lovely gentle old lady with a very flat trot; I've ridden her bareback once before & my balance and comfort was a lot better. I'm delighted I didn't end up with any chaffing, which I usually get from riding bareback. I definitely feel much safer & more 'glued on' the horse on the bareback pad than in a saddle; my instructor said it's made a huge difference to my seat. I'd happily recommend it to anyone.
(5)

They are fantastic!

By: on 7 July 2010
I bought a horse 1 1/2 years ago, since then I hadn't ridden for ..12 years. I bought the bare back pad and I have constantly used it (I have not used my saddle). Riding bare back has improved my balance and my seat so much, I even feel so comfortable and safe with the pad that I have jumped my horse with it (not big). It has also helped me communicate to my horse better as I can put my legs on the horse. My horse is a pretty bad shyer but the pad has kept me on the horse and helped me alter my body position to keep my balance. It's fantastic.... keep doing what you are doing, because we need great products out there that truly work.
(5)

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