LeMieux Half Pads
A LeMieux half pad sits between your saddle and your saddlecloth to help cushion your horse's back, take the edge off pressure points and fine-tune the fit of a saddle that is close but not quite perfect. The range splits into three families: Merino+ lambskin pads for softness and airflow, ProSorb pocketed pads that take shims so you can adjust the balance of the saddle, and Matrix and Wither Relief pads built for grip, shock absorption and wither clearance. This collection holds 11 LeMieux half pads, with seven styles in stock today from £59.95.
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In a hurry? Quick guide:
- Best all-rounder → LeMieux Merino+ Half Pad (£89.95, small, medium & large, four colourways)
- Saddle needs balancing → ProSorb Plain 2 Pocket Half Pad (£59.95, black, medium & large)
- Dressage → Matrix Support Dressage Half Pad (£79.95, large, black or navy)
- High or prominent withers → Wither Relief Memory Foam Half Pad (£79.95, medium & large)
- Wool feel plus full shim adjustment → Merino+ ProSorb 3 Pocket Half Pad (£109.95)
Which LeMieux half pad should I choose?
Start with the job you need the pad to do. If the saddle already fits well and you simply want extra cushioning and airflow, a plain Merino+ pad is enough. If the saddle sits low at the front or back, a pocketed ProSorb pad lets you slide shims in to correct the balance. If the issue is the saddle slipping or the withers being tight, a grip or wither-relief design is the better answer.
| Pad | Best for | Sizes & colours in stock | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Merino+ Half Pad | Everyday cushioning and airflow under any saddle | Small, medium & large; black/black, black/natural, brown/brown, white/natural | £89.95 |
| ProSorb Plain 2 Pocket | Simple front/back balance adjustment on a budget | Medium & large, black | £59.95 |
| ProSorb Plain 3 Pocket Quilted | Finer, three-point shim adjustment | Medium & large; black or brown | £84.95 |
| Merino+ ProSorb 2 Pocket | Lambskin comfort with shim pockets | Medium & large; black/black, black/natural, brown/brown, white/white | £104.95 |
| Merino+ ProSorb 3 Pocket | The most adjustable lambskin option | Medium & large; black/black, black/natural | £109.95 |
| Matrix Support Dressage | Dressage saddles - grip and shock absorption | Large; black or navy | £79.95 |
| Wither Relief Memory Foam | High withers and saddle stability | Large in black, grey or navy; medium in black | £79.95 |
What does a half pad actually do?
Does a half pad fix a badly fitting saddle?
No - and this is the point riders most often get caught out by. A half pad can help a saddle that is slightly out of balance, and it can add cushioning to spread pressure more evenly, but it cannot correct a saddle that is genuinely the wrong tree width or shape. If your horse is showing soreness, muscle wastage or a changed way of going, book a qualified saddle fitter and speak to your vet first, then use a half pad as a refinement rather than a repair.
What are shims and do I need them?
Shims are thin foam wedges that slot into the pockets of a ProSorb pad. Adding a shim at the front lifts the pommel; adding one at the back lifts the cantle. A two-pocket pad such as the ProSorb Plain 2 Pocket Half Pad (£59.95) gives you front and rear adjustment. A three-pocket pad such as the ProSorb Plain 3 Pocket Quilted Half Pad (£84.95) adds a middle position for finer changes. Change one shim at a time and ride in it before adjusting again.
Lambskin or foam?
Merino+ lambskin is soft, breathable and sits close to the horse without adding much bulk, which suits horses that get warm or are sensitive behind the shoulder. Foam and gel-style constructions, including the memory foam in the Wither Relief Memory Foam Half Pad (£79.95), give more consistent shock absorption and tend to hold the saddle steadier. Plenty of riders own one of each and swap depending on the work.
Which half pad suits my discipline?
For dressage, the Matrix Support Dressage Half Pad (£79.95, large, black or navy) is cut to sit discreetly under a straight-flap dressage saddle. For jumping and general schooling, the Wither Relief Memory Foam Half Pad (£79.95) keeps the saddle stable through changes of pace. For hacking, hunting and everyday riding where comfort matters most, the Merino+ Half Pad (£89.95) is the one most of our customers come back for.
How do I fit and care for a LeMieux half pad?
Sit the half pad on top of your saddlecloth, pull both well up into the gullet so nothing presses on the spine, and check you can still see daylight through the channel once the girth is done up. Half pads add bulk, so re-check your girth after five minutes of work.
Follow the care label on the pad itself. As a rule, brush off dried mud and hair before washing, use a gentle non-biological detergent, and air dry away from direct heat and strong sunlight so lambskin stays supple and foam keeps its shape. Never tumble dry a lambskin pad.
Frequently asked questions
How much do LeMieux half pads cost?
In this collection LeMieux half pads currently in stock start at £59.95 for the ProSorb Plain 2 Pocket Half Pad and go up to £109.95 for the Merino+ ProSorb 3 Pocket Half Pad. The Merino+ Half Pad is £89.95 and both the Matrix Support Dressage and Wither Relief Memory Foam pads are £79.95.
Do I still need a saddlecloth under a half pad?
Yes. A half pad is designed to go on top of a numnah or square saddlecloth, not directly against the horse. The saddlecloth takes the sweat and hair and is far easier to wash, which keeps the half pad cleaner and lasting longer. Several LeMieux pads have buttonhole slits so they attach neatly to a D-ring saddlecloth.
Will a half pad stop my saddle slipping?
It can help. Grip and memory foam constructions, such as the Wither Relief Memory Foam Half Pad (£79.95) and the Matrix Support Dressage Half Pad (£79.95), are designed to reduce unwanted movement between saddle and back. Persistent slipping usually points to saddle fit or horse asymmetry, so have a qualified saddle fitter check it rather than relying on a pad alone.
What size LeMieux half pad do I need?
Sizing follows the length of your saddle rather than the horse's height. Medium suits most 16.5in to 17.5in saddles and large suits bigger saddles and longer-backed horses. The Merino+ Half Pad is in stock in small, medium and large; the Merino+ ProSorb, ProSorb Plain and Wither Relief pads are in stock in medium and large; and the Matrix Support Dressage pad is currently in stock in large only. If you are between sizes, get in touch and our team will help.
Can I use a half pad with any saddle?
Most of these pads work with general purpose, jumping and close contact saddles. The Matrix Support Dressage Half Pad is shaped for the straighter flap of a dressage saddle, so it is the one to pick if you ride mainly dressage. Whatever pad you choose, re-check that the saddle is not sitting tight over the withers once the extra layer is in place.
How do I wash a LeMieux half pad?
Always check the care label on your specific pad. Generally, remove any shims first, brush off dried mud and hair, then wash on a cool gentle cycle with a mild non-biological detergent. Air dry naturally away from radiators and direct sunlight, and never tumble dry lambskin. Washing regularly stops sweat and grit building up against your horse's back.
Not sure which pad suits your saddle? Get in touch and our team will help you work it out.
Last reviewed 2026-07-24 by the Just Horse Riders team.