Prolite

A dressage saddle pad is cut long and straight to follow the vertical flap of a dressage saddle. A jump saddle pad is shorter and more forward-cut to match the angled flap of a jumping saddle. Choosing the shape that matches your saddle keeps the pad in place, stops the flap edge rubbing against it and gives a far tidier look.

A jump saddle pad. A GP saddle sits somewhere between dressage and jumping, but its flap is cut forward, so a jump square follows the line much better than a dressage square does.

You can, but it won't sit well. The flap of a jumping saddle falls short of the pad's edge, leaving excess fabric in front of your leg and behind the saddle. Fine at home in a pinch, less so anywhere you want to look turned out.

It should extend slightly beyond the edge of the saddle on all sides, roughly two to three centimetres, without hanging so far that it flaps or bunches. At the front it needs to be pulled well up into the gullet before girthing, so there's clearance over the withers and no pressure sitting on the spine.

Sizing follows the size of your saddle and the build of your horse rather than height alone, a larger saddle needs a larger pad to keep an even margin all the way round. If your horse falls between two sizes, take the larger. Sizing also varies between brands, so check the guidance on the individual product page.

Brush off dried hair and mud first, or it turns to felt in the machine. Then wash cool on a gentle cycle without fabric softener, which coats the fibres and reduces how well the pad absorbs sweat. Air dry rather than tumble drying. Always check the care label on your own pad, as materials differ and sheepskin needs its own approach.

Two or three in rotation is the usual answer. It means you can wash properly and often without ever being caught out with nothing clean, and it spreads the wear so each pad lasts longer.