Abstract: A multi-ply pad is provided for disposition between the back of a domestic animal such as a horse and a saddle placed upon the horse's back. The pad includes a first lower ply having a flexible backing layer with a dense fibrous pile layer carried by the undersurface of the backing layer. The pile layer may be termed a fiber-on-end pile layer. The first and second layers include corresponding spaced peripheral portions and coacting fastener structure is provided on the corresponding spaced peripheral portions releasably securing the latter together with the upper and lower plies being free of direct connection with each other, independent of the fastening structure, for at least limited relative shifting of the plies of the pad in the areas thereof spaced from the fastening structure.