Per JT International: Phone 888-584-4677 or 317-862-6842 , email sales@JTIDist.com , website https://www.jtidist.com/. Pricing varies by pad model + size; pricing as quoted is subject to change.

Tough®1 Saddle Pads by JT International

JT International The JTI team is full of horse people like you!

Want a saddle pad designed by 500+ years of combined real-world riding experience?

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Reviewed by Ann Pruitt, InfoHorse.com · Updated June 2026

Tough®1 Saddle Pads by JT International
More than just a "good saddle pad", Tough®1 Saddle pads

About Tough®1 by JT International, Dist. "Horse People Helping Horse People"
JT International The JTI team is full of horse people like you! With over five hundred years of riding experience combined, our team members are involved in riding disciplines from trail riding to dressage, horse racing to pleasure, and so much more! Using their own first-hand experience and feedback from their equine communities, the product development team is continuously researching and developing new products and solutions to make riding safer, more competitive, more comfortable, more affordable, and most importantly more fun! This team works to stay on the cutting edge of equine technologies and trending designs which allows them to bring you functional and stylish new products each and every year.

Tough®1 Saddle Pads

A good saddle pad is more than just a splash of color under your Western saddle. A quality saddle pad can make the difference between an uncomfortable jaunt and an award-winning ride. You will love the Saddle Pads selection at Tough®1

Not Every Pad Will Fit Every Horse!
If you’re looking for a flexible solution to fitting a saddle pad to your horse, you may want to consider investing in a Tough1 Shim Pad. Shim pads allow you to address imbalance issues with your horse’s conformation, such as high withers, a swayed back or even asymmetry. Half-inch felt shims can be added in any of six pockets in numerous combinations to find that custom fit for each horse and each saddle.

It’s important to realize that one size does not fit all, especially with saddles and saddle pads. If you’re an owner of multiple horses or ride multiple horses, using a shim saddle pad allows you to move from horse to horse, and body type to body type and still ride comfortably while using your current saddle. It is imperative that an analysis of your saddle’s fit on each horse should be performed, first.
An important note: when looking at the fit of a saddle pad, avoid the thought that you don’t want your saddle pad to move at all. A saddle pad that doesn’t move with the horse can cause uncomfortable rubbing.

Why Use A Saddle Pad?

Saddle pads, if chosen appropriately, can be an asset in your horse’s performance and physical health. Saddle pads made with materials such as all-natural wool or a combination felt will wick away sweat to keep the horse’s back cool while helping to prevent the saddle from slipping during the ride.

Saddle pads can protect the vital spine because the pad can ensure that the rider’s weight is equally distributed throughout the horse’s back, and not centered in one small area. Likewise, a pad can prolong the life of your saddle because it reduces the friction between the saddle and the horse’s back, thus reducing wear and tear on the saddle.

Things To Consider When Selecting A Saddle Pad:

Thickness – The thicker the pad does not necessarily mean the better the protection. The thickness of a saddle pad can affect how your saddle sits on your horse and how you ride.

Shape – Your horse’s confirmation, riding discipline and saddle skirt shape should all be considered when selecting a pad’s shape. Different disciplines, saddle skirt shapes and horse body conditions call for different shaped saddle pads. Round saddle pads can be used on horses with short backs or under saddles with rounded skirts, such as barrel saddles. Cutback Saddle Pads work well for high withers. Straight square pads can be used on horses with normal conformation or rounder withers.

Material – A fluffy, squishy saddle pad might not be the most comfortable. Pads should be made of a material that has some give but is also solid enough to provide support.

Size – A good fitting saddle pad should match the contours of your horse’s back as well as the size of the saddle’s skirt. Experts recommend leaving a 1-inch to 1 ½-inch clearance, front and back, of the saddle pad from under the saddle. If the saddle pad is too short, this can cause rubbing and pressure points from the saddle.

Consider the Materials Used:

As with each shape of saddle pad, there are a variety of materials used to create Western saddle pads, with each material having its own pros and cons.

Fleece – Pro: Feels soft, provides some shock absorption, Con: Can be too thick, not as durable as some other materials
Felt – Pro: Moisture-wicking and supportive, Con: Can be heavier
Wool – Pro: Moisture-wicking, bounces back, Con: Not all “wool” pads are made 100% from wool, so do your research
Neoprene– Pro: Shock-absorbing, easy to clean Con: Can get slick when the horse sweats

Shapes of Western Saddle Pads:
Western saddle pads generally come in two shapes: rectangular and rounded. Recently there has been a push for a more customized cut in pads for horses of all shapes and sizes, you can now find many more specialized options:

Straight–Can be used on horses that are rounder and have a normal wither definition.
Round–Best for horses with short backs or for use with saddles with a round skit.
Contour–Used for horses with a slight dip in their back or more prominent withers, thanks to the front’s contour that relieves pressure from the withers.
Cutout–These pads have a cutout towards the front where the withers would be, as a tool to relieve pressure from the pad and saddle resting on the withers.
Cutback– Different from a cutout, cutback pads have a section cut away for the withers from the front to a certain point (typically five inches long). This is great for full wither relief.
Built-up–Horses with very high or prominent withers benefit from a pad that’s built up along the center of the pad, so it lifts the saddle up off the withers.

What If My Pad Doesn't Fit or My Horse Is Hard To Fit?

Not every pad will fit every horse. If you’re looking for a flexible solution to fitting a saddle pad to your horse, you may want to consider investing in a Tough1 Shim Pad. Shim pads allow you to address imbalance issues with your horse’s conformation, such as high withers, a swayed back or even asymmetry. Half-inch felt shims can be added in any of six pockets in numerous combinations to find that custom fit for each horse and each saddle.

With saddle pads, one size definitely doesn’t fit all. If you ride multiple horses, chances are you’ll need different pads to suit each one’s build. A shim saddle pad can be a great solution, offering flexibility to adjust fit from horse to horse while still using your current saddle. Before choosing, we recommend having your saddle’s fit evaluated on each horse to ensure the best comfort and performance.

How Long Does A Saddle Pad Last?

The lifespan of a Western saddle pad can be influenced by many different factors, such as the type of pad and the material used. However, some signs that it’s time to replace your pad include:

Is the pad caked in dirt, sweat and hair?
What is the condition of the wear leather for the girth strap on your pad?
Has it started to get sunken-in to the point where you have minimal material between the latigo and your horse’s side?
Do you notice more movement of the saddle than normal?
Has your horse’s body condition changed since you purchased the pad?

Tough®1 Saddle Pads Just Can't Be Beat! Order Today!
With all this newly gained knowledge it’s time to shop! Find a wide variety of Western Saddle Pads Options From Tough1 to find the right fit for your horse and your style.

What makes a Tough1 saddle pad worth a closer look?

Tough1 is the flagship riding-tack brand of JT International Distributors, Inc., and its saddle pads are built to make western riding "safe, comfortable, affordable, and fun." The line spans dozens of shapes and materials — 3/4" compressed wool felt, gel-over-felt, neoprene-bottomed shims, canvas work pads, and bold Navajo-print show pads — so a barrel racer, trail rider, and pleasure exhibitor can each find a pad cut for their saddle and their horse's back. Every pad pairs a functional foundation with the stylish colors and prints the brand is known for, because, as Tough1 puts it, "when we work tough, we play tougher."

Who is JT International, the company behind Tough1?
JT International Distributors has been outfitting riders since 1973, growing "from a small humble garage to an international wholesale distribution warehouse." The team describes itself as "Horse Products By Horse People" — a staff of working equestrians with over five hundred years of combined riding experience across trail riding, dressage, horse racing, and pleasure. That first-hand saddle time, plus feedback from their own riding communities, is what drives the product development behind every Tough1 pad.

Wool felt, gel, or neoprene — which material does what?
Tough1's compressed wool felt naturally wicks away perspiration to keep a horse cool while it absorbs shock and conforms to the back for a custom-like fit. The Gel Contour Saddle Pad layers a 3/4" gel insert over wool felt to absorb concussion and disperse pressure, while neoprene-bottomed shim pads are waterproof, easy to clean, and add a cushioned grip that helps keep the pad in place. By contrast, Tough1's own guide cautions that fleece "may feel great, but they get dirty and matted much easier than other materials" — which is why the felt and gel constructions anchor the core line.

How a contoured, withers-vented build protects the back
Most Tough1 pads use a contoured cut shaped to the curve of a horse's back, with build-up and shim options for horses that need extra fill at the withers or pocket. Many models add leather-reinforced ventilation holes over the withers so heat and moisture escape rather than collecting under the saddle. Tough1's fit guidance is simple to verify: a properly fitting, well-ventilated pad leaves "the horse's back wet on both sides with a dry strip down the spine" after a ride.

Matching pad shape to your discipline and your horse

Because pad shape should follow both saddle and conformation, Tough1 offers rounded barrel cuts that tuck close for tight turns, large square pads favored by Western Pleasure riders, round pads for short-backed horses, and close-contact and cutback pads that relieve withers pressure or bring the rider's leg closer. Contoured pads suit horses with a slight swayback, while straight and square pads work for normal conformation and round withers. Representative models include the Tough1 Airflow Contour Mule Saddle Pad, the Contour 3/4" Felt Saddle Pad, the Western Shim Saddle Pad with Neoprene Bottom, and the Wool Pad with Wear Leathers.

How to buy a Tough1 saddle pad

Tough1 saddle pads are sold directly at tough1.com and through a wide dealer network of local tack shops and major online retailers, reflecting JT International's stated priority "to support all dealers big or small." Pricing is approachable across the range — the Contour 3/4" Felt Saddle Pad in 22"x22" carries an MSRP of $35.88, the Stars & Stripes Saddle Pad $63.88, the Airflow Contour Mule Saddle Pad $83.88, and the Western Shim Saddle Pad with Neoprene Bottom $131.88. Use the store locator on tough1.com to find a nearby dealer, or order online after creating a horse-owner account.

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The Solution Section (FAQ)

How are Tough®1 Saddle Pads different from other Tough®1 products?

Per JT International: distinct products in the Tough®1 line.

Tough®1 Saddle Pads (this product) — Western tack with shim-fit option
Tough®1 Blankets (canonical sibling) — weather protection
Tough®1 Grazing Muzzles (Wave 9 sibling) — metabolic management
Tough®1 Boots (applied) — sport leg protection

Same JT International posture; distinct products for distinct equine-care needs.

What makes a quality saddle pad?

Per JT International: a quality saddle pad can make the difference between an uncomfortable jaunt and an award-winning ride. Per the company: not every pad will fit every horse. The Tough®1 selection covers different conformation + saddle-fit needs.

What's the Tough1 Shim Pad — and why might I need it?

Per JT International: the Shim Pad is a flexible solution to fitting a saddle pad to a horse with conformation issues such as:

High withers
Swayed back
Asymmetry

Half-inch felt shims can be added in any of six pockets in numerous combinations to find a custom fit for each horse and saddle.

Why is movement in a saddle pad important?

Per JT International: "When looking at the fit of a saddle pad, avoid the thought that you don't want your saddle pad to move at all. A saddle pad that doesn't move with the horse can cause uncomfortable rubs."

Some flex with horse movement is desirable.

Can one Shim Pad work across multiple horses?

Per JT International: YES. Per the company: if you own or ride multiple horses, using a Shim Pad allows you to move from horse to horse, body type to body type, and still ride comfortably with your current saddle. Always analyze saddle fit on each horse first.

How do I order?

Per JT International: Phone 888-584-4677 or 317-862-6842, email [email protected], website https://www.jtidist.com/. Pricing varies by pad model + size; pricing as quoted is subject to change.

Who makes Tough1 saddle pads?

Tough1 saddle pads are made by JT International Distributors, Inc., a horse-tack and equipment distributor that has operated since 1973. Tough1 is the company's flagship riding-tack brand. JT International describes itself as 'Horse Products By Horse People' and credits its product development to a team of working equestrians.

How long has JT International been in business?

JT International has been in business since 1973. The company says it grew 'from a small humble garage to an international wholesale distribution warehouse.' That gives the brand more than five decades of experience supplying riders and dealers.

What does 'Horse People Helping Horse People' mean for Tough1?

It reflects that JT International's team is made up entirely of equestrians who ride across many disciplines. The staff brings 'over five hundred years of riding experience combined,' spanning trail riding, dressage, horse racing, and pleasure. That first-hand experience and feedback from their own riding communities is what shapes the saddle pads they design.

What materials are Tough1 saddle pads made of?

The core line uses 3/4-inch compressed wool felt, which wicks perspiration and absorbs shock while conforming to the horse's back. Other models use a gel layer over wool felt, neoprene bottoms on shim pads, or canvas for work pads. The brand favors felt and gel constructions over fleece, which it notes gets dirty and matted more easily.

What is a contour saddle pad and which horses need one?

A contour pad is cut and shaped to follow the natural curve of a horse's back rather than lying flat. Tough1 recommends contoured pads for horses with a slight swayback, while straight or square pads suit horses with normal conformation and round withers. Most Tough1 felt pads use a contoured build for a closer, more custom-like fit.

What is the Tough1 Gel Contour Saddle Pad?

It combines a 3/4-inch gel layer over wool felt to absorb concussion and disperse pressure across the back. The gel cushions impact while the felt wicks moisture and keeps the horse cool. It is shaped to the contour of the horse's back and works across various western disciplines.

Do Tough1 saddle pads have withers ventilation?

Many Tough1 pads include leather-reinforced ventilation holes over the withers. These openings let heat and moisture escape from under the saddle rather than building up against the horse's back. Tough1's fit guidance notes that good ventilation should leave the back wet on both sides with a dry strip down the spine after riding.

What is a shim saddle pad and what are it for?

A shim pad has pockets or built-up sections that let a rider add or remove fill to fine-tune how the saddle sits. Tough1 offers several, including the Western Shim Saddle Pad with Neoprene Bottom, the Competition Shim Saddle Pad, and the Barrel Shim Pad. The neoprene bottom on some models is waterproof, easy to clean, and helps grip the pad in place.

How do I choose a saddle pad shape for my riding discipline?

Tough1 advises matching pad shape to both your saddle and your horse. Barrel racers benefit from a smaller, rounded cut that matches a barrel saddle for tighter turns, while Western Pleasure riders typically use large square pads. Round pads suit short-backed horses, and close-contact or cutback pads relieve withers pressure or bring the leg closer.

How can I tell if my saddle pad fits and ventilates correctly?

Check the sweat pattern after a ride. Tough1 says a properly fitting, well-ventilated pad leaves the horse's back wet on both sides with a dry strip down the spine. An even, balanced pattern indicates the pad is dispersing pressure and allowing air to flow.

How much do Tough1 saddle pads cost?

Pricing is approachable across the range. The Contour 3/4-inch Felt Saddle Pad in 22x22 has an MSRP of $35.88, the Stars & Stripes Saddle Pad is $63.88, the Canvas Work Saddle Pad is $63.88, and the Airflow Contour Mule Saddle Pad is $83.88. Shim pads such as the Western Shim Saddle Pad with Neoprene Bottom run around $131.88 MSRP.

What sizes do Tough1 saddle pads come in?

Tough1 offers a wide range of dimensions to match different saddles and horses, including 22x22, 24x24, 26x26, 31x31, and 32x32 inch options among the contour felt line. Square pads tend toward the larger sizes for Western Pleasure, while barrel and round cuts run smaller. Check each product listing on tough1.com for the exact size and SKU.

Where can I buy Tough1 saddle pads?

You can buy them directly at tough1.com or through a broad dealer network of local tack shops and major online retailers. JT International says it prioritizes supporting 'all dealers big or small.' Use the store locator on tough1.com to find a nearby dealer, or create a horse-owner account to order online.

Does Tough1 make pads for mules?

Yes. The Tough1 Airflow Contour Mule Saddle Pad is designed specifically for mule conformation, with a contoured cut and airflow ventilation. It carries an MSRP of $83.88. This reflects the brand's range of discipline- and animal-specific shapes.

Are Tough1 saddle pads good for barrel racing?

Yes. Tough1 makes barrel-specific pads, including the Contour 3/4-inch Felt Barrel Saddle Pad and the Barrel Shim Pad, plus decorative options like the Buckstitch Barrel Saddle Pad. These use a smaller, rounded cut that matches a barrel saddle and supports tight, fast turns. The felt and shim constructions add shock absorption and adjustable fit.

How do I care for a wool felt saddle pad?

Wool felt naturally wicks moisture, so let the pad dry fully between rides to keep it fresh. Knock off dried sweat and dirt, and avoid letting it stay matted or damp. Tough1 points out that felt holds up better than fleece, which mats and soils more easily, making felt a lower-maintenance choice for regular riders.

What product categories does Tough1 offer beyond saddle pads?

Tough1 is a full riding-tack brand that also offers horsewear and flywear, stable supplies, western tack, bits, training aids, saddles, farrier supplies, gifts and decor, and apparel. The saddle pad line sits within its broader Tack category. JT International stocks over a thousand product types across the catalog.