Wool driving pads for a twelve-horse Haflinger team

Author: Marie-Theres Conen, Sportsfreund Studios

We had the honor of providing Claus Luber and his impressive team of twelve Haflinger stallions with custom-made driving pads—with the support of Carr & Day & Martin. Once again, Loden demonstrates its versatility: not only is it suitable for sweat rugs and saddle pads, but it also provides valuable services in driving sports.

We are not only interested in Icelandic horses, but are also observers and fans of many other aspects of equestrian sports. That's why it didn't take long for us to discover Claus Luber and be immediately impressed by his beautiful horses.

Fahrunterlagen aus Wolle für Claus Luber

Claus Luber is a true legend in the world of carriage driving. Having grown up with horses, he encountered his first Haflinger stallion in 1997 and discovered his great passion. Today, he has 13 stallions on his own farm and shows them at numerous shows and fairs. Whether in a quadriga or a twelve-horse team, these beautiful stallions are a delight to behold. Anyone who wants to learn how to drive can also do so with him.

But one thing immediately stood out: the saddle pads. They did not yet correspond to what Veronika would consider an “appropriate style” for these stallions. So an idea was quickly born. We have a Saddle Pads made of Wool We also use this fabric to make lunging pads and it's not a big leap from a lunging pad to a saddle pad. Now all that was left was for Claus to find out about his good fortune.

We contacted him and first asked whether he would be interested in these wool saddle pads. He was immediately enthusiastic, and we arranged a meeting to discuss his requirements for saddle pads in more detail and decide on the design.

The result was 12 beautiful light gray-beige placemats made of high-quality Bavaria-Loden and decorated with sparkling glitter trim—a perfect match for the horses' magnificent manes.

At Pferd International in Munich , we were able to admire the complete work of art live—a real highlight.

Haflinger – a young breed with a long tradition

Every child who has grown up in Bavaria, at least, knows these horses. This is probably mainly due to hiking in the mountains, where you often see “horsies” on beautiful alpine pastures.

These blond beauties originate from (South) Tyrol and were first bred specifically in the 1870s. They are descended from a Tyrolean mountain mare and an Arabian stallion. They were originally intended to be sure-footed, light, and suitable for working in the mountains.

However, it quickly became apparent that this breed is very versatile and can be used in almost all disciplines. Their friendly nature means that they can be used as beginner horses in many riding schools, but also as sport horses, e.g., in driving.

Wool driving pads—do they work?

A driving pad basically has the same function as a Saddle Pad saddle pad: it protects the hanesses saddle – the part of the harness that lies over the horse's back – from dirt and sweat.

But that's not all: as an essential accessory in equestrian sports, it also contributes significantly to the comfort of the horse's back. By lying securely and smoothly on the horse's back, it prevents friction and pressure points. To do this, it must be thin, dimensionally stable, non-slip, and made of high-quality materials.

We have long been convinced of wool as a functional natural material—and it once again demonstrates its strengths in saddle pads.

Loden fabric made from wool provides reliable protection against chafing and skin irritation thanks to its antibacterial properties and soft, skin-friendly surface.

Thanks to its natural properties, wool is highly absorbent and keeps the horse's back comfortably dry even during longer journeys – a major advantage for horses that wear harnesses for long periods of time during driving. It also naturally regulates temperature, protecting against overheating and heat build-up as well as hypothermia.

It is also worth taking a look at the filling of the saddle pad: many conventional models contain polyester, which neither absorbs moisture nor regulates temperature. We therefore consistently use pure wool filling—for maximum comfort and a healthy climate on the horse's back.

Thanks to their sturdy construction, the pads can be used for a long time without compromising on quality or fit. And if cleaning is necessary, our wool blankets and pads can be easily washed in the washing machine at 30 degrees Celsius.

Incidentally, the saddle pad looks incredibly elegant. In driving sports, the appearance of the team plays an important role: the “overall appearance” counts, with the beauty, demeanor, and cleanliness of horses and equipment being evaluated. Jewelry and decorations—such as glittering braids or color-coordinated blankets—can make a particularly positive impression and further enhance the overall impression.

If you have a larger team and are looking for custom-designed saddle pads, please feel free to contact us. We can easily accommodate large orders for custom-made products and will provide you with comprehensive advice on design, size, and fit—tailored to your specific requirements. Simply send us an email at gutentag@sportsfreund-studios.com.

We are delighted to contribute to greater comfort and elegance in equestrian sports with our custom-made saddle pads made from high-quality loden. Because it's not just performance that matters to us, but also the well-being of your horses. If you are interested or have any questions about our products, please do not hesitate to contact us – for a stylish, healthy, and successful riding experience!