The idea behind our Split Pad is to eliminate any contact between saddle components and the animal’s spine while also providing a vent for body heat. Each half of the pad is enclosed in a 1680 denier water-resistant nylon cover. Within each cover is a 5/8” thick felt pad surrounded by ¼” shock-absorbent closed-cell foam, creating a total 1 1/8 inches of padding. The split pad adheres to the Roughy saddle with Velcro, making saddle and pad one unit. It is further secured with a 3” wide webbing sleeve at the front (rounded end of the saddle bars), and an adjustable strap at the rear. Two Side Release buckles on the front of the pad connect to the straps running diagonally from the Chest Strap. These straps hold the Chest Strap up and in place.
Moon Pads: To use our Split Pad on frame type saddles with straight bars, or to accommodate an extremely sway backed llama, attach our two small foam Moon Pads (sent on request) to the ¼” foam (Velcro strips and outlined). This will help fill the gap under the saddle, adding to the saddle contact area.
If you suspect the small pads might be needed, test by setting your saddle without pad on your llama's back in the proper position. Push down with even pressure on the saddle horns while feeling between the saddle and the llama's back on each side of the spine with your free hand. If the space behind the withers is noticeably greater than it is across the rest of the saddle, insert the small moon pads.
Follow these instructions when removing the inner pads: Open the Velcro end of the pad cover and remove the pads from within.
Note: It is easiest to fold the inner pads in half lengthwise when removing and reinserting. Replace all pads exactly as they came out and close the Velcro end.
This item may ship separately from the balance of your order and may incur separate shipping charges. We will contact you before your order ships if there will be any added shipping costs for your order.