Cleaning and care of the equigetic pad
Why careful care is so important
The equigetic pad is made of high quality English leather and can be attached to any standard saddle. Due to the Velcro loops it is flexibly adjustable. The pad’s ergonomic fit prevents tension in your horse’s sternum by supporting this area through a channel. The inner lining of the pad is made of neoprene or synthetic fur. The ecco-wool interior protects the adjacent muscles of your horse particularly gently. The variant with the inner lining made of memory foam flexibly adapts to the shape of your pet and supports its movements.
Careful maintenance is important with regular use of the equigetic pad or equigetic jumps, as the material is attacked over time. Your horse’s sweat contains the body’s own salts, which attack both the leather and the neoprene in the equigetic pad. Without proper care, the leather can become brittle and lose quality and possibly even functionality. Likewise, the neoprene hardens over time and becomes brittle. The dusty, sandy environment also irritates the high-quality smooth leather and attacks the surface. To prevent this from happening, it doesn’t take much effort at all, just the right approach to cleaning and maintenance.
About the material - What exactly is the equigetic pad made of?
The outer material of the equigetic pad is made of high quality English smooth leather. This material, unlike suede, is particularly durable and robust. So with the right care, the equigetic pad is in for a long life.
We also pay attention to high quality and high utility in the inner lining. The comfort and well-being of the horses is our ultimate goal. That is why we use extra soft ecco-wool. This is not lambskin, but a synthetic alternative. Since the inside of the equigetic pad rests directly on the horse’s hide and there is pressure from tightening the saddle, it is important that it rests comfortably and does not slip. Of course, sweat and hair quickly settle in such a material, and the dusty environment makes regular cleaning inevitable.
Equally well suited is the inner lining made of memory foam. This neoprene material is particularly flexible and adapts to every little bump of your horse. It also sits comfortably during movement and relieves the muscles in the sternum. Since sweat can penetrate directly from the horse’s body into the neoprene, regular care is important for durability.
How to properly care for leather
Depending on how often the equigetic pad is used, it should be lightly cleaned regularly and thoroughly maintained from time to time. For daily use, it is enough to wipe the leather once a week with a cloth and warm water. It is very important that the cloth is made of soft material, so that the leather is not scratched. Alternatively, a soft sponge can be used. If the material is more heavily soiled, you can add a mild saddle soap. As with saddle care, the equigetic pad can be rubbed and maintained with a little saddle grease at longer intervals. Here, once a month is usually enough.
Ecco-wool and Memory Foam - Clean the lining
The ecco-wool material can be cleaned easily and without much effort. It is enough to let the synthetic wool dry after use and then brush it out. For this purpose, for example, a clean horse brush can be used. If the material is more heavily soiled, it can be washed out with mild soap and water. However, this should be done by hand, as cleaning in the washing machine damages the material due to the high temperatures and the spin cycle.
Cleaning the neoprene is as effortless as the ecco-wool. It can be regularly rinsed with cold water and then thoroughly dried. This will prevent sweat from eating into the material and damaging it. If the equigetic pad is ever more heavily soiled, a mild cleaner can remedy the situation. Simply massage this gently into the material and then rinse well. To prevent mold, the pad should be completely air dried after both cleaning and use.