Abstract: The present invention provides a back pad contoured to fit between a saddle pad on a horse's back and a saddle, having a pronounced cushioning action which affords comfort both to the horse and rider by absorbing the shocks caused by the concussive impact of the horse's movement and the rider's movement. The pad is a unitary, molded pad made from a shock-absorbing polymeric material, having a raised area in the portion which rises over the horse's withers, a central channel which runs longitudinally down the center of the pad, which channel has several ventilating holes, and raised cushioning portions disposed laterally on each side of the channel, which cushioning portions absorb shocks, minimize soreness of the horse caused by the saddle, and lift the front panels of the saddle away from the horse's shoulders, allowing the horse to move more freely.

Abstract: The present invention provides a back pad having an encapsulated design contoured to fit between a saddle pad on a horse's back and a saddle, having a pronounced cushioning action which affords comfort both to the horse and rider by absorbing the shocks caused by the concussive impact of the horse's movement and the rider's movement. The pad is a unitary, molded pad made from a shock-absorbing polymeric material, having a raised area in the portion which rises over the horse's withers, a central channel which runs longitudinally down the center of the pad, which channel has several ventilating holes, and raised cushioning portions disposed laterally on each side of the channel, the cushioning portions having encapsulated therein one or more shock-absorbing layers and a layer of air, which encapsulated cushioning portions absorb shocks, minimize soreness of the horse caused by the saddle, and lift the front panels of the saddle away from the horse's shoulders, allowing the horse to move more freely.