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The Solution Section (FAQ)
Who is Best Ever Pads, and what do they make?
Per Best Ever Pads: established in 2002 by horsemen with over 30 years experience in training, competing, and cowboying. All pads are handmade in the USA — and the team uses the pads they make. The company specializes in constructing custom saddle pads for the western and rodeo industries, offering personalized service for western and rodeo athletes across the country. Per Best Ever, the company has grown out of a love for the western way of life and a commitment to supporting the sport.
Why is it called "Best Ever" — and what makes the construction different?
Per Best Ever Pads, the Whites have followed a specific formula. Each pad is handmade with only the finest materials, including top-grade wool and leather. Built from a wool foundation — durable and requiring little to no break-in time. The 100% wool pads are excellent at absorbing moisture and wicking it away from the horse's back to assist in heat removal. Wool felt offers the greatest comfort and compression protection — the denser the pad, the less it compresses under pressure. Two-piece contour design allows comfortable fit and helps eliminate pressure along the spine, helps prevent over-cinching and saddle movement. Wither cutouts allow better clearance and reduced spinal pressure. Each pad includes top-grade 4.5 oz wear leathers and spine reinforcement. The high-quality breathable materials allow the pads to be used alone or with a Navajo blanket.
What sizes are available — and what's the OG Collection?
Per Best Ever, sizes available:
- 25×25 Pony
- 28×28 Small Barrel
- 30×30 Standard
- 32×32 Large
- Custom sizes available for an additional fee
The OG Collection has been the core of the company since 2002. Top-quality 100% needle-punched wool, 112 ounces per square yard — firm, durable, breathable. Dark gray. Available in:
- 1" Wool Pad — all-around work and play pad for normal-to-high-withered horses. Recommended for barrel racers, team ropers, trail riders, team penners, cutters, reiners, colt starters, and performance horses.
- 3/4" Wool Pad — designed for round-back horses. Recommended for barrel racers, trail riders, team penners, cutters, and reiners.
What's the Kush Collection — and how is it different?
Per Best Ever, the Kush Collection is made from 100% high-quality washed and pressed wool, 136 ounces per square yard — durable and resistant to compression, yet soft and flexible. Light gray. Available in three thicknesses:
- 1.25" — protection and compression prevention at its finest. Highly recommended for team ropers and horses with high withers needing extra protection.
- 1" — great all-around pad. Solid, durable protection for any level of performance horse. Recommended for team ropers, cutters, reiners, performance horses.
- 3/4" — great lightweight pad without sacrificing protection or comfort. Recommended for barrel racers, trail riders, team penners.
Deluxe options: Fleece lining (extra-soft feel + more shock absorption + better moisture wicking) or Neoprene lining (shock-absorbing, anti-fungal/antibacterial, won't absorb sweat, easy to clean).
What's the CEO Collection — Best Ever's higher-shock-absorption line?
Per Best Ever, the CEO Collection launched in 2010, specially engineered to add more shock absorption. Three series, each created for a specific purpose. Wool base similar to OG (112 oz/sq yd needle-punched wool):
- Fleesar Series — adds a fleece lining for an especially soft feel, more shock absorption, even better moisture-wicking. Great option if your current pad is rubbing or your horse has thin/sensitive skin. Dark gray, fully customizable.
- BHS Series — adds a 3/8" closed-cell foam insert to help distribute saddle pressure over the bars and reduce pad breakdown. Great for high-withered horses and poor saddle fit. Pair with a 1" or 3/4" wool base pad for an all-day cowboying setup, or with a 1/2" felt for what Best Ever calls the "1D Lite" — designed with the barrel racer in mind.
- Cadillac Series — adds a 3/8" closed-cell foam insert through the bars, plus an additional 1/4" closed-cell foam insert strategically placed over the shoulders to prevent the pad from collapsing in the shoulder area. Recommended for team ropers, calf ropers, steer ropers, performance horses, senior and high-withered horses.
How customizable are these pads — wear leathers, embroidery, branding?
Per Best Ever, customization is the most unique feature. Best Ever claims to be the original custom saddle pad maker and the first to use hair-on-hide wear leathers — many have imitated, none compare to the original. Available customization:
- Over 40 hair-on hides, colored leathers, and exotic leathers
- 20 crystals and faceted stones, plus gold or silver spots for bling
- 8 stock design cutouts — or fully custom designs
- Initials or brand done in decorative rhinestones
- Custom in-house embroidery — Best Ever specializes in award pads (great for events: "those that do their best deserve the Best")
- Border options: buck-stitching, crystals, or metal spots
- 5 wool blends as foundation choices, each serving a specific need
Note: not all option combinations are available, and some options are not available for certain pads — see individual pad information pages for details.
How do I clean my pad, and what about returns or fit issues?
Per Best Ever, cleaning: use a rubber curry comb on the underside in circular motions to prevent hair and dirt buildup; vacuum to remove loosened debris if needed. To wash, hold the pad by the wither hole and spray with water from the inside to the outer edges in all directions, rotating as you rinse. Dry by laying naturally over a saddle rack or fence in the sun. Shipping: orders ship in 1–2 weeks (designer pads take 8–12 weeks). Returns: 30 days to return unused items for a full refund minus shipping (with receipt). No refunds on customized logos or brand names — make sure your information is correct before ordering. Without receipt: exchange for merchandise of equal or lesser value. Fit issues: 90 days (with receipt) to return a USED pad for another pad collection of equal or lesser value. If unsure on fit, take advantage of Best Ever's pad consultation.
What do customers say — including InfoHorse.com's own owners?
Voices from the source:
Jaquelyn C.: "I had pads on my horses that kept sliding back and not fitting correctly. Even with the first time of using these pads, not quite fit to my horses yet, they formed right to them and worked great! You guys really do have the BEST EVER pads!"
Hanna N.: "I love this pad, very well made and fits great! Also got an email the day after I purchased saying it was on back order and they offered me a couple options, I decided to wait for the wool I originally ordered, and they refunded me shipping... thank you for a great experience and making great saddle pads!"
Janet K.: "It is above and beyond what I expected. Gabby was so great to work with, she made sure my custom brand was perfect!... The ordering process was so easy and the customer service is second to none!"
Ann and Bob Pruitt — InfoHorse.com: "I can't tell you how amazed we were at both the quality, and the comfort. These are amazingly well made. We used them on our Quarter Horse and Morgan Mare. Both horses were more comfortable in the saddle, and actually moved out better! I can't imagine anyone not wanting to ride in a Best Ever Saddle pad!"
To order: 805-528-8009, email [email protected], web besteverpads.com. Address: 2445 Paradise Lane, Los Osos, California 93402. Best Ever Pads are also carried in the Smith Brothers catalog and through select dealers. Pricing varies by collection, customization, and size; pricing as quoted is subject to change due to economic factors and wool/leather-market conditions — confirm current pricing with Best Ever directly.
Which Best Ever pad is right for my discipline — barrel racing, roping, trail, or ranch work?
Per Best Ever Pads, thickness and collection are matched to discipline. Barrel racers typically reach for a lighter, responsive setup such as a 3/4" Kush or OG, or a 1/2" Kush Fleece, for close feel and quick movement. Team ropers and ranch/cowboying riders who spend all day in the saddle benefit from more protection — a 1" or 1.25" Kush, or the CEO Cadillac and BHS series with closed-cell foam. Trail riders often do well in a 1" Kush or a 3/4" Kush/OG Fleece for cushion on long miles. Best Ever also serves team penners, cutters, reiners, colt starters, calf and steer ropers, and steer wrestlers, so if you ride more than one event, their free pad consultation can point you to the best all-around custom saddle pad.
How do I match a Best Ever pad to my horse's withers, shoulders, and saddle-fit problems?
Per Best Ever Pads, the right wool saddle pad depends on your horse's conformation and how your saddle currently sits. High, narrow withers are well served by the BHS or Cadillac options, which add closed-cell foam over the bars and shoulders. Round or mutton withers generally suit a 3/4" OG or Kush, or a 1/2"–3/4" Fleece. Broad shoulders often do best in a 1/2" to 3/4" fleece depending on discipline. Best Ever also gives guidance for specific saddle-fit issues — bridging (bars riding above the back), rolling (a saddle that shifts), and pinching — and recommends a deep-contour pad to help eliminate spinal pressure and saddle movement. When you are unsure, their saddle-fit consultation helps you dial in the correct pad before you buy.
How does the free Best Ever Pads saddle-pad consultation work, and how do I get a custom quote?
Per Best Ever Pads, the company offers free saddle pad consultations so you order the right pad the first time. You can reach the team by or by email at to talk through your horse's build, your discipline, and any saddle-fit concerns. Their online "Build Your Pad" tool walks you through choosing a collection, thickness, wool foundation, lining, and customization step by step. Because every pad is handmade to order in the USA, working through a consultation up front helps you select the correct size, collection, and contour for your horse before the custom build begins.
What does it cost to get started, and does Best Ever Pads offer ready-made or sale pads?
Per Best Ever Pads, custom wool pads start at $215 for the OG Collection and $275 for the Kush Collection, with final pricing depending on thickness, wool foundation, lining, and customization you choose. If you want a finished design or a faster turnaround, Best Ever also offers Predesigned Pads, Team Rider Pads, Tooled Leather Pads, the Best in Show Navajo, and budget-friendly Sale Pads and Blemished Bargains. Gift certificates are available as well. Pricing is subject to change with the wool and leather markets, so confirm current pricing with Best Ever directly when you order.
What colors and finishes can I choose for a Kush Collection pad?
Per Best Ever Pads, the Kush Collection is built from high-quality pressed F-11 grade wool that is durable and resistant to compression yet soft and flexible. Beyond the standard light gray, Kush pads are offered in a range of colors — gray, black, red, blue, turquoise, purple, and pink — with available thicknesses of 1/2", 3/4", 1", and 1.25" depending on the color. Every Kush pad can be further personalized with hair-on-hide and exotic wear leathers, crystals and stones, custom cutouts, in-house embroidery, and buck-stitch, crystal, or metal-spot borders, so you can build a custom western saddle pad that matches your tack, your barn colors, or your team's look.
Where else can I buy Best Ever Pads, and do they ship outside the United States?
Per Best Ever Pads, pads are handcrafted in the USA and sold direct through besteverpads.com, where a dealer locator helps you find authorized retailers near you. Best Ever Pads are also carried in the Smith Brothers catalog and through select dealers, and the company offers worldwide shipping so riders outside the United States can order custom and ready-made pads as well. Beyond saddle pads, Best Ever also offers custom western saddles, horse accessories, and hats and apparel, making it a single source for serious western and rodeo riders looking to outfit their horse and themselves.
Who founded Best Ever Pads, and does the same family still build the pads today?
Best Ever Pads was founded in 2002 by Ryan and Tammy White, a husband-and-wife rodeo team. Ryan is a former state-champion team roper and multiple-time California Circuit finalist who grew up on a working cattle ranch and roped his first high school rodeo in 1988. Tammy is a long-time team roper and barrel racer who has qualified to circuit finals and open roping championships. The Whites still compete and travel to rodeos year-round, so the people designing the pads are the same people testing them in the arena. That hands-on involvement is why Best Ever Pads describes itself as a true family operation rather than a mass-market brand.
What is a Best Ever pad actually made of, and why pressed wool?
The core of the lineup is high-quality pressed wool. Wool is the traditional saddle-pad material because it naturally wicks moisture away from the horse's back, releases heat instead of trapping it, and springs back rather than packing flat under a hard season of riding. A good pressed-wool pad breathes, holds its shape, and absorbs the shock of fast athletic movement so the impact never reaches a tender back. Some Best Ever pads add closed-cell foam inserts for targeted lift and structure, and the Fleece Series adds a soft lining for sensitive-skinned horses. Every pad is handcrafted in the USA.
How do the Kush, OG, BHS, Cadillac, and Fleece collections differ from one another?
Each collection solves a different fit-and-comfort problem. The OG is the original all-purpose wool pad for everyday riding, ranch work, barrel racing, and roping. The Kush is the most popular pad, prized for premium softness, excellent shock absorption, and compression resistance ride after ride. The BHS is built for lift and balance, ideal for horses with prominent withers, hollows behind the shoulder, or saddles that sit low in front. The Cadillac uses closed-cell foam throughout for senior horses and extremely high-withered horses that need structure that will not collapse. The Fleece Series suits high-withered, sway-backed, or thin-skinned horses thanks to its soft, rub-resistant lining.
How do I figure out the right size pad for my horse and saddle?
Start by measuring the length of your saddle and adding roughly two to three inches to that number. Done right, the finished pad shows about an inch to an inch-and-a-half of material in front of and behind the saddle skirts, which protects the horse and keeps the pad in place. Best Ever Pads come in multiple footprints and several thicknesses, so once you have the length you can choose a thickness that matches your horse's build and your saddle fit. If you are between sizes or unsure, the company offers a free fitting consultation where they review side photos of your horse and recommend the exact size and collection.
What pad thickness should I choose, and what options are available?
Best Ever Pads are offered in several thicknesses, commonly half-inch, three-quarter-inch, one-inch, and one-and-a-quarter-inch. Thinner pads such as the half-inch are a good choice for horses where a thicker pad would make the saddle roll or sit too high, while three-quarter-inch is a versatile mid-range that fits a lot of horses. One-inch gives standard support and one-and-a-quarter-inch delivers maximum cushioning for horses that need more protection or for high-impact events. The right thickness depends on your horse's back shape and how your saddle currently fits, which is exactly what the free consultation helps you dial in.
What gullet or wither-width options do Best Ever Pads offer?
Best Ever Pads offers multiple gullet widths so the pad matches your horse's wither and shoulder build rather than fighting it. Narrower openings suit narrow, high-withered horses such as many Arabian and Thoroughbred types, a standard opening fits the average to wider horse, and the widest opening is made for round-backed horses with minimal wither. Matching the gullet width to the horse keeps the pad off the spine and lets it sit evenly across the back. If you are not sure which opening your horse needs, the fitting consultation will recommend one based on photos of your horse saddled and unsaddled.
My horse has high withers and hollows behind the shoulders. Which pad helps?
That conformation is exactly what the BHS and Cadillac collections were designed for. The BHS is engineered to add lift and balance, helping a saddle that sits low in front come up to level while improving pressure distribution and freeing the shoulders to move. The Cadillac goes further with closed-cell foam inserts that build up support behind the shoulder and through the wither pocket without collapsing, which also makes it a strong choice for senior horses whose toplines have changed. For a softer, rub-free option on a sensitive horse, the Fleece Series adds cushion where it is needed and stays in place. A free consultation can confirm the best match for your horse's exact shape.
Which pad is best for barrel racing versus team roping versus trail and ranch work?
For barrel racing and gymkhana, riders often choose the OG or Kush for shock absorption and a secure feel through precise, fast turns, and the Fleece Series for slip resistance and comfort at speed. For team roping and other quick timed events, the OG and Cadillac stand out for their durability and compression protection, with the Cadillac's foam giving extra support under the impact of roping. For everyday trail and ranch work, the all-purpose OG and the comfort-focused Kush both shine over long miles. Because every pad is built to order, you can match collection, thickness, and gullet to your specific discipline.
How should I saddle and position a Best Ever pad to get the most out of it?
Set the pad slightly forward over the withers, then slide it back into place so the hair lies flat in the direction it grows. Before you cinch up, lift the front of the pad at the gullet to 'cup' or tent it over the spine, which creates an air channel down the back and improves breathability and contact. Make sure an inch to an inch-and-a-half of pad shows in front of and behind the saddle so it is centered and the saddle is not riding on the edge. Good positioning lets the wool do its job of wicking moisture and cushioning the back, and it keeps the pad from shifting during hard work.
How long does a custom Best Ever pad take to build, and why does it vary?
Turnaround depends on how much custom work the pad involves. Simpler customizations such as basic embroidery or wear leathers generally run about ten to fourteen business days. More detailed work like buck stitching, fringe, or laser tooling typically takes around twenty-one to thirty business days. Large orders of roughly seven or more pads can take four to six weeks, and specialty leather or full hand tooling can run ten to sixteen weeks because of the handwork involved. Each pad is made to order in the USA, so the timeline reflects real craftsmanship rather than pulling stock off a shelf. If you have a deadline, it is worth confirming the estimate when you place your order.
Can I personalize a pad with my own colors, brand, or ranch logo?
Yes. Best Ever Pads is a genuine custom shop, so you can build a pad with your choice of colors, wear-leather styles, embroidery, buck stitching, fringe, laser work, and hand tooling, and you can add a personal name or a ranch or business brand. They also offer a deep catalog of predesigned pads if you would rather choose a finished look that ships sooner. Keep in mind that pads carrying a custom logo or branding are made specifically for you and are not refundable, so it is smart to double-check spelling, placement, and colors before the build begins.
How do I care for and clean my Best Ever wool or fleece pad?
Best Ever Pads specifically recommends against washing the pads. The wool is designed to absorb moisture and then release it, so a pad that gets fully soaked can take a very long time to dry and may lose shape in the process. Instead, let the pad air out and dry between rides, knock or brush off dried sweat and hair, and store it flat or hanging where air can circulate. The company provides care video guides for both wool and fleece pads. Routine drying and brushing, rather than washing, is what keeps a quality wool pad performing and lasting for many seasons.
What is Best Ever Pads' return, exchange, and guarantee policy?
Best Ever Pads backs its work with a money-back guarantee: with a receipt you can return an eligible pad for a full refund, excluding the original shipping, and refunds are typically processed within about a week of the returned item arriving. There is also an exchange window for items returned unused and in original condition with tags attached, and unused items without a receipt may be exchanged for merchandise of equal or lesser value. The one firm exception is pads made with a custom logo or branding, which are built specifically for you and are not refundable or returnable. Domestic return shipping is offered free, which makes it low-risk to try the right pad.
Does Best Ever Pads ship internationally, and where can I buy one?
You can order directly from the Best Ever Pads website, where you can either build a fully custom pad or pick from predesigned and ready-to-ship options. Domestically, standard shipping generally runs a few business days with faster options available for an added fee. Best Ever Pads also ships internationally to destinations including Canada, Australia, and the United Kingdom, with delivery times varying by location. The company maintains a dealer locator on its site as well, so depending on where you are you may be able to find an authorized dealer carrying the pads in person.
Are Best Ever Pads really used by professional rodeo athletes?
Yes. Beyond being founded by accomplished competitors, Best Ever Pads outfits a roster of professional rodeo athletes, including NFR-qualifying team ropers and barrel racers, and offers signature rider pads tied to those competitors. Because the founders still rope and ride at a high level and travel the rodeo road year-round with their family, the same gear sold to customers is the gear being put through hard, real-world competition. That feedback loop between professional use and product design is a big part of why the brand has earned a loyal following among working cowboys, ranchers, and arena competitors alike.
