This page is to cover some of the basics about 5 Star Pads and 5 Star Elite Cinchas and Breast Collars, as well as to answer some Frequently Asked Questions.
How My Listings Work
Where Will My Order Come From?
All of my product is drop-shipped from 5 Star Equine Products' production facility near Hatfield, Arkansas. That means that whatever 5 Star carries, I carry. I may not always have a new product in my store yet, or may not list something that is so specialized as to have low demand, but if you want it, e-mail me, and I will list it for you! (Occasionally, 5 Star is backordered on a certain felt, but I will make you aware of this as soon as possible if this occurs with your order.)
I apologize to my fellow Canadians trying to "buy local", as this means that you will be paying the customs taxes along with everyone else when you pick up your order at the post office. However, I do absorb some of the cost of shipping out of the United States to help ease this additional price tag.
Grouped Colors
Although eBay now offers the ability to create items where one can select variations during checkout, such as colour and length, they do not allow this in my selling category. So, each pad listing has the colour, thickness and shape of the pad it is for in the title. Rather than list a cinch or breast collar in every colour and length, all of the dyed-cord cinchas and breast collars are grouped together in one listing per style and strand count. There will be a photograph with only one or two colours in the gallery photos, but you can see the other available colours within the listing itself. You must specify colour and length preferences, along with your phone number (for UPS), in the "Notes to Seller" section of your Paypal payment. Failure to do so will slow down the processing of your order.
Natural-coloured products are a lesser price, and will be found in their own listing. You do not need to specify colour choice when purchasing a Natural cincha, or breast collar.
How do I know what pad I need?
- How long? The general rule of thumb is that you want your saddle pad to stick out 1"-2" in both the front AND the back of your saddle skirts. For example, if your saddle skirts are 26" long from nose-to-tail, you would be okay with choosing a Barrel (28" long) or a Regular (30" long) skirt pad. However, if your saddle skirts are 27" long, you would have to go with a Regular Skirt pad.
- What shape? Choose a skirt shape that complements your saddle skirts.
- How long will you be riding? If you ride more than four hours at one time on a regular basis, you need a pad that is at least 7/8" thick.
- How much do you weigh? If you and your gear together weigh more than 200 lbs., you should get at least a 7/8" pad, but a 1" would be better.
- What kind of terrain will you be riding on? If you regularly ride over mountainous or hilly areas, again, you want at least a 7/8" thick pad, but 1" would be better.
Pad Styles & Sizes
Width measurements (W) are taken just behind the gullet hole, or where the back of the withers would be, if there is none. Length measurements (L) are taken about half-way down the side (at the longest section), unless specified otherwise.
Western
Perfect for riding the trails or in the show ring, 5 Star's Horse-Contoured Western pads will provide you with many hours of comfortable wear.
Horse Contour
Regular 30"
Full Skirt 32" W x 32" L
The Regular Skirt is square by default. The Full Skirt has a rounded back.
Barrel Racer
30" W x 28" L
Round or square skirt available.
DL Close Contact Pad
The DL model is specifically designed to fit the "butterfly"-shaped skirts of many of today's popular saddles.
Trail/Endurance Pads
Approx. 32" W x 28" L
Square/Endurance: Approx. 30" across at middle of pad
Round/Trail: Approx. 17 1/2" across at middle of pad
Originally styled to go with a High Plains or Tucker saddle, these pads are useful for any saddle that has dropped rigging. Choose the skirt shape that complements your saddle skirts.
Mountain Packer Pads
43" W x 33 1/2" L
Mule or horse contoured with additional wear leathers to accommodate a packer outfit. The gullet hole is open or can have a leather flap over it (at no extra charge) to prevent twigs and debris from falling into it and working under the pad.
English
Experience the secret that so many other riders have already discovered: 5 Star English pads are the best thing you can do for you horse!
Note: All English styles are available in 1/2" and 1/4" Black, Natural, or Virgin Crème felt. They can be made in a thicker felt, and different colors (dependent upon availability), on request.
Measurements from nose-to-tail are taken at the longest (broadest) part of the pad.
Self-Contouring English Pad
38" W x 24" L
The self-contouring pad has an open seam along the spine, so it naturally conforms to the shape of your horse's back.
All-Purpose English Pad
42" W x 26" L
Dressage Pad
41" W x 29" L
Hunter-Jumper Pad
42" W x 23" L
Designed and shaped to conform to the back and English-type saddles for Hunters, Jumpers, Eventers and other English disciplines.
Jockey Training Pad
25 1/2" W x 24 1/2" L
Specially cut to fit the needs of race horses. Training & practice pads. Jockeys love these little pads for training purposes!
Mule Contour
Contoured with flatter withers, broader shoulders and flatter back line to fit mules, donkeys and jacks.
Although Regular Skirt, Full Skirt, and Mountain Packer are the most popular pads in mule contour, you can get the mule contour in any of the skirt styles that 5 Star makes. So even if you do not see what you are looking for in my store, e-mail me to get your pad listed.
Contoured Navajo Blankets
Approximately 36" W x 34" L
Another one of 5 Star's innovations, the Contoured Blanket with Wool Felt Liner gives you the best of both worlds, with the look of a beautiful blanket under your saddle, but having the comfort and ease of a contoured wool felt pad next to your horse. The blanket is hand-woven from wool & mohair. It is contoured to fit - no bridging, wrinkles, or break-in time, with the quality and compression protection of a 1/2" pressed 100% wool felt underliner next to your horse.
The blanket and liner are attached with stitching along the spine's wear leathers.
To prolong the life of your Contoured Blanket, you could have wear leathers added to the side. To further personalize it, get a logo.
5 Star's Color Palette
Pads
- Burgundy
- Brown
- Red
- Hunter Green
- Natural (Heather grey)
- Black
- Royal Blue
Not all colors available in all thicknesses. Please check individual pad listings to see which colors are available.
Natural pads cost less than dyed pads, so the natural colors will have their own listing in each thicknesses. Dyed colors will be grouped in one listing, usually ending with "Col." and usually having "Choice of Dyed Colors" in the subtitle.
PLEASE NOTE: Colored pads may have slight color transfer to lighter animals, due to the fact that it is a vegetable-based dye to be more animal-friendly. The transfer is temporary and will not harm the animal.
Contoured Blankets
- Black
- White
- Navy
- Red
- Hunter Green
- Copper
- Chocolate Brown
Personalize Your Pad
These are ways you can OPTIONALLY embellish your pad.
Wear Leather Colors
If you wish, you can specify a wear leather color to go on your pad. Otherwise, the experienced staff at 5 Star will choose either Sand or Russet wear leathers, whichever looks best with your pad color.
- Sand
- Black
- Russet
- Latigo
Latigo and Black leathers are only available on request. There is no extra charge for this option, but shipment of your pad may be delayed by 1 or 2 days.
Hair-On Wear Leathers
You could also add hair-on hide wear leathers. Click on the image to go to the "Specialty Pads" section of my store to purchase. Please be sure to e-mail me in advance to check on current selection.
MUST BE PURCHASED SEPARATELY, ALONG WITH A PAD!
Logos
5 Star offers embroidered and tooled logo or wear leather options. This can be done on the existing wear leathers, or an added "Logo Patch" in a variety of shapes. You can check their photo galleries for design ideas, then e-mail me for a quote. I will list your logo just for you and e-mail you the link so you can complete your purchase. (You will need to use your browser's "Back" button to navigate back to this page from Photobucket.)
MUST BE PURCHASED SEPARATELY, ALONG WITH A PAD!
Pad Thicknesses
1/2" Under Pad
Great for showing reining, cutting or pleasure horses when you still need protection yet want to put a colorful blanket over the under pad for show purposes.
3/4" Regular Pad
An excellent all-around pad for those that need a daily exercise training pad and may also need to throw a blanket over it for the show ring.
7/8" Thick Pad
The BEST ALL-AROUND USE PAD recommended for trail riding, team penning, cutting, reining, and barrel racing.
1" Extra Thick Pad
Designed wih ranch work in mind, for roping, performance, colt starting or heading to the mountains with lots of gear.
1-1/8" Supreme Roper Pad
Specially engineered for team roping, calf roping, steer stopping and peformance.
5 Star Elite Cinchas & Breast Collars
Cincha Styles
NEW! 5 Star Elite Y-Cinchas, in Roper or Cutter style. Alleviate pressure on the rear of the horse, but still have the security of double cinches!
The Y-cinch style has 29 strands on the front "legs" and 19 strands on the back legs.
Breast Collar Styles
Choose from the same colors as the cinchas. You need to specify light or dark tugs with your order.
Cincha & Breast Collar Colors
100% Mohair Cord is available in the following colors:
- White
- Natural Honey
- Light Gray
- Dark Gray
- Dark Blue
- Hunter Green
- Cherry Sorrel
- Cocoa Brown
- Burgundy
- Red
- Black
- Candystripe - Black/White
- Candystripe - Black/Purple/White
- Candystripe - Black/Red/White
- Candystripe - Black/Burgundy/White
- Purple
- Candystripe - Black/Natural (not shown)
Available trim colors are:
- White
- Natural Honey
- Light Gray
- Dark Grey
- Light Sorrel
- Hunter Green
- Cherry Sorrel
- Cocoa Brown
- Purple
- Burgundy
- Red
- Black
- Royal Blue (not shown)
) 
