Introduction: Comfort You Can Feel, Craftsmanship You Can Trust
Your horse works hard for you—whether that involves floating across a dressage arena, hunting a challenging cross-country course, or safely carrying you down a quiet trail after work. Few pieces of tack influence equine well-being as directly as a saddle pad, and no name has become more synonymous with pressure relief and long-lasting performance than Mattes. Founded over 150 years ago, the family-owned E.A. Mattes company has perfected the marriage of traditional German craftsmanship and cutting-edge textile engineering. In this article we delve into what makes Mattes saddle pads special, how their patented technologies solve common saddle-fit headaches, and why investing in the right pad will reward both you and your horse for years to come.
Heritage and Reputation: More Than a Century of Innovation
Long before “ergonomic” was a buzzword, Mattes was quietly perfecting it in the workshop. From its early days producing fine lambskin goods, the brand has grown into a trusted partner for Olympians, Grand Prix jumpers, Western professionals, and weekend warriors alike. Their in-house design team collaborates with veterinarians, saddle makers, and top riders to ensure each new product meets real-world performance standards. According to the official Mattes site (e-a-mattes.com), every pad is still finished and quality-controlled in their European headquarters—a rarity in today’s mass-production landscape.
The Mattes Product Family at a Glance
Mattes offers a pad for virtually every discipline and saddle configuration. Understanding the core options will help you pinpoint the right model for your barn:
- Square Pads – A classic profile that accommodates most English saddles and provides ample real estate for team logos and sponsor embroidery.
- Eurofit Pads – A sculpted, contoured outline designed to mirror the natural curves of a horse’s topline, reducing bulk under the rider’s leg.
- Numnahs – Shaped specifically to the saddle panel, these pads eliminate excess fabric and stay invisible in the show ring.
- Half pads – Low-profile shock absorbers that can be layered over or under a standard pad for customized lift.
- Western Pads – Extra-thick designs that match the weight distribution and length of Western saddles.
- Endurance Pads – Lightweight, breathable, and built for the rigors of 25- to 100-mile rides.
- Treeless Pads – Engineered to stabilize saddle placement and protect the spine when no tree is present.
Each of these categories can be further personalized via the Mattes Online Configurator (shop.mattes-equestrian.us), allowing riders to select sheepskin colors, binding trims, quilting patterns, and more.
Key Technologies That Put Mattes in a Class of Their Own
It’s easy to assume “a saddle pad is just a saddle pad,” but Mattes proves otherwise through a suite of patented features that directly address performance and comfort.
SPINE-FREE®: Freedom at the Core
The SPINE-FREE® construction carves a channel down the center of the pad, eliminating pressure on the withers and dorsal spinous processes. By suspending the pad’s weight off these sensitive structures, the design helps maintain normal blood flow and muscle function—a crucial advantage for horses with pronounced withers or prior back soreness. Documentation published on the brand’s website (Mattes SPINE-FREE®) shows pressure-mapping images that reveal dramatically lower readings compared with conventional pads.
CORRECTION® System: Micro-Adjust Saddle Balance in Seconds
No horse stands still in time—toplines change with conditioning, age, and even seasonal weight shifts. Mattes’ CORRECTION® System integrates discreet pockets that accept felt or poly-flex shims in four-millimeter increments. Need to raise the front of the saddle this week and lower it next? Just slide a shim in or out. A study referenced by PinkEquine.com demonstrated that adjusting shim combinations reduced asymmetric pressure by up to 52 %, giving horses a level and consistent load across both shoulders.
SADDLE-FIX® and MER: Security Without Straps Everywhere
Slip and bunching are more than annoyances—they can cause rubs, heat spots, and compromised rider position. The SADDLE-FIX® system secures the front edge of the pad to the saddle’s D-rings, anchoring it without creating a speed bump under the thigh. For daily schooling in unpredictable weather, the MER (Mattes Exercise Rug) attachments allow you to clip a quarter sheet onto the pad, so your horse’s loins stay warm without extra girth straps.
Merino Lambskin: Nature’s Original High-Tech Fabric
Behind every Mattes pad is 100 % pharmaceutical-grade Merino lambskin, shorn and processed to maintain fiber resilience and uniform length. Unlike synthetic fleece, Merino wool is hygroscopic: it can absorb up to 30 % of its weight in moisture vapor before feeling damp, then wick that sweat away from the skin. The microscopic crimp in each hair acts as a spring, dispersing kinetic energy and protecting muscles from impact. Combined with a densely woven cotton/polyester twill outer layer, the pad delivers a one-two punch of breathability and shock absorption year-round.
Choosing the Right Model for Your Discipline
While any Mattes pad will raise the comfort bar, matching design to job maximizes results. Below are discipline-specific pointers:
- Dressage: Opt for a slimline Eurofit with dressage saddle pad proportions. A longer drop keeps billets off the horse’s side and maintains a crisp silhouette under a monoflap dressage saddle.
- Show Jumping: Look for a SPINE-FREE® Square pad that offers forward projection to match a jumping saddle pad. Add CORRECTION® shims if your horse lands heavier on one shoulder.
- Eventing: Many riders pair a lightweight pad with a sheepskin half pad to fine-tune balance across three phases without changing gear.
- Western Performance: A contoured, full-coverage model distributes the weight of wider bars; Merino wool buffers the heat generated during spins and sliding stops. Consider a western saddle pad with 30 mm pile for reining and cow-horse work.
- Trail and Endurance: The Endurance pad’s lighter quilt and cut-back front reduce friction over many miles while still giving room for shim adjustment as the horse muscles up across the season.
Customization: Make It Uniquely Yours
Few brands offer the color palette Mattes does—more than 40 quilt shades, 50 lambskin hues, and multiple binding and rope trims. Whether you ride for Pony Club or under FEI rules, you can match barn colors or stand out in neon. The online configurator is intuitive: pick a base model, choose size, select spine length, and preview your design in real time. Add your sponsor’s logo, then save the blueprint to revisit later. Lead times generally range from three to six weeks, and because each pad is made-to-order, riders avoid the cookie-cutter look meanwhile ensuring a perfect scale for everything from a 13-hand pony to an 18-hand warmblood.
Care and Maintenance: Protect Your Investment
High-end lambskin needs thoughtful cleaning, yet Mattes pads are surprisingly low-maintenance. The brand recommends brushing dirt out with a soft curry after each ride and airing pads wool-side down to dry. For deeper cleaning, wash in cold water on the gentle cycle using MELP detergent, a pH-balanced formula that replenishes lanolin and keeps the leather hide supple. Avoid fabric softener and direct heat; instead, stretch the damp pad back into shape and dry flat. Many riders cycle between two pads so each has 24 hours to air-dry, extending life expectancy well beyond cheaper alternatives.
Troubleshooting Common Saddle-Fit Issues With Mattes Solutions
Even expertly flocked saddles can slip forward on downhill builds or bridge on slab-sided backs. Before shopping for a new tree, test the SADDLE-FIX® tabs or insert a thin front shim. Need to lift the cantle? Slide a rear shim into the CORRECTION® pocket. Many veterinarians now keep a kit of Mattes shims in their trucks; a quick adjustment can relieve uneven muscle strain that would otherwise require chiropractic work. For horses returning from injury, a pad fitted with progressive shim removal supports muscle rebuilding while avoiding constant saddle reflocking.
Where to Buy Authentic Mattes Pads
While your local tack shop may stock a curated selection, ordering direct from the manufacturer guarantees access to every size and colorway. Visit the Mattes Online Shop to create a custom pad or explore seasonal limited editions. Reputable e-commerce outlets such as Horse.com and StateLineTack.com frequently run promotions on stock colors. Wherever you purchase, verify that the label reads “Made in Europe” and that the wool fibers are evenly trimmed—two hallmarks of genuine Mattes craftsmanship.
Price vs. Value: The Long-Term Economics
At first glance, a premium Mattes pad costs more than many mass-produced options. Yet when you factor in replacement frequency, vet bills linked to poor saddle fit, and the resale value of a well-cared-for pad, the math flips. Riders often report using a single pad for five to seven years of daily schooling; contrast that with rotating through two or three budget pads annually. An investment in quality is ultimately an investment in your horse’s soundness and your own ride quality.
Final Thoughts: Put Science and Style Under Your Saddle
Mattes has earned its place in tack rooms around the globe by refusing to compromise on materials, research, or rider choice. Whether you need a precisely shimmed pad to keep a young horse comfortable during growth spurts or simply crave the plush feel of real Merino against your partner’s back, Mattes delivers. Treat your horse—and yourself—to gear engineered for peak performance, and you’ll feel the difference from the first trot stride.
Ready to experience the gold standard in padding? Configure your dream pad today or browse a Mattes saddle pad online, and ride on with confidence.