Patent ID: 7472531

Claim:
Saddle pad apparatus for use on an equine having a spinal region and a withers region, comprising: first and second lateral pad elements each comprising first and second layers, said first layer comprising a sheepskin material, said second layer comprising a substantially fibrous material, said first layer adapted to interface with the skin of said equine, said second layer adapted to interface with a saddle disposed substantially atop said saddle pad apparatus; a central element having first and second sides corresponding to respective ones of said first and second lateral pad elements; and first and second interface elements coupling respective ones of said lateral pad elements to respective ones of said first and second sides of said central element, at least a portion of said interface elements comprising a substantially resilient material adapted to expand and contract in substantially one dimension, said one dimension being substantially transverse to a longitudinal axis of said central element; wherein at least said central element, said interface elements and said lateral pad elements cooperate to substantially mitigate the tension placed on both said spinal and withers regions by said apparatus.