EA Mattes Gold Square Correction Pad

The E. A. Mattes GOLD Square Correction Pad with Shims and Bare Flaps is part of the GOLD line, which was made to bring the high quality Mattes standards in a more affordable pad. They are made with the same design and high quality materials as the sheepskin pads, however instead of sheepskin panels, they are made with dense 1 1/4" High Loft wool on fabric backing. The outer is high quality cotton/polyester blend quilted fabric. The GOLD pad fits neatly under the saddle and can be used directly on the horse's back, or on top of a quilted pad that has a similar shaped top line. The front roll of this pad is Sheepskin.

Wool has natural properties including heat dissemination, breathability, and the ability to eliminate friction and bounce.

This pad is a combination of a half pad, with full length wool panels, and bare flaps. This allows you to have the comfort of a half pad without added bulk under your leg. The 4 pocket design allows you to shim where needed to adjust fit directly in the pad. No need for multiple pads with this all in one piece.

• GOLD panel pads are made with high loft, dense, 11/4" long wool on a fabric backing.
• Front and rear trim are sheepskin.
• Follow the contours of the horse's back with no sharp edges.
• The patented Spine Free Design, and anatomically correct top line provide unbeatable protection.
• The spine is not in contact with any seams, fabric, or tension giving your horse ultimate comfort.

Featuring the CORRECTION^® System, this comes with three 5 mm-thick felt shims (POLY-FLEX^®) for each pocket, offering the same pressure relief as a good quality new saddle, padded with wool and horsehair. MATTES developed the CORRECTION^® System to allow flexible and easy changes to saddle fit by up to 30 mm: to easily compensate for the rapid physical development of young horses in training, for horses that have been out of work for some time, or for trained horses which change shape a lot during the competition season, whenever quick alterations are needed. Simply add extra shims, or just as importantly, remove them, to suit the horse’s changing shape. It is crucial to balance out long-term irregularities in conformation. These should never be corrected by adjusting the saddle itself.

The SPINEFREE^®;design reliably prevents any pressure around the withers and spine. The secure SADDLE-FIX® system allows the top seam of the half-pad to be attached comfortably in the gullet of the saddle.

The core of the pad is made of two layers: POLY-FLEX® (a deep-needled polyester felt) is used to maintain the shape and spread the pressure, while polyester wadding provides padding. They completely avoid foam, neoprene or gel, making the whole pad breathable.

MELP is still recommended to use when washing the pad since the GOLD collection pads are still made partially with sheepskin.