Professional's Choice Comfort-Fit SMX Air Ride Saddle Pad - 1/2" or 3/4" Core, Merino Wool Bottom & OrthoSport - Multiple Sizes

Contoured Air Ride Comfort, With an OrthoSport Option

Best for: Western riders looking for a contoured air ride pad, including OrthoSport builds for horses with strong shoulders or prominent withers.

The Professional's Choice Comfort-Fit SMX Air Ride Saddle Pad in the Rio Grande design is developed from the horse's back up and contoured to follow the curve of the spine, so it locks in place while allowing full movement. The SMx Air Ride core absorbs shock and improves saddle fit, using a material Professional's Choice says is found in protective gear for professional human athletes.

That core also lets air reach the skin for a cooling effect. Core thickness follows size: the 30 x 34 inch pad has a 1/2 inch Close Contact core, and the 33 x 38 inch pad has a 3/4 inch Heavy Duty core. Against the horse is a merino wool bottom that wicks heat and sweat.

The OrthoSport versions add an extra padded layer behind the shoulder and along the spine. That fills the hollow area behind the withers and forms a supportive spine channel, which is why Professional's Choice designs OrthoSport for horses with strong shoulders or prominent withers.

Why Riders Choose the Comfort-Fit SMx Pad

• Contoured spine — shaped from the horse's back up so the pad locks in place and allows full movement.
• SMx Air Ride core — absorbs shock, improves saddle fit and lets air reach the skin.
• OrthoSport option — extra padding behind the shoulder and along the spine fills the hollow behind the withers.
• Merino wool bottom — wicks heat and sweat away from the horse.
• Two core depths — 1/2 inch Close Contact at 30 x 34, or 3/4 inch Heavy Duty at 33 x 38.

Specifications

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Should I choose the standard pad or OrthoSport?

Professional's Choice designs OrthoSport for horses with strong shoulders or prominent withers. The extra padded layer behind the shoulder and along the spine fills the hollow behind the withers.

Q: Which sizes and core thicknesses are offered here?

The 30 x 34 inch Comfort-Fit SMX Air Ride Saddle Pad has a 1/2 inch Close Contact core in all three colors, standard or OrthoSport. The 33 x 38 inch pad has a 3/4 inch Heavy Duty core; in this listing Black/Tan comes standard or OrthoSport, and Charcoal/Chocolate and Tan/Emerald come in OrthoSport.

Q: How should I care for the pad?

Professional's Choice describes the merino wool bottom as easy to clean but doesn't publish washing steps. Brush off hair and sweat after each ride and let the pad air dry before you store it.