Saddle cloth found in Dunedin

After a frustrating search for the right textile to manufacture a new horse saddle cloth system, a Waikato couple found just what they were looking for - in Dunedin.

The Equipad will be launched at the inaugural Equidays event at Mystery Creek from November 18-20, which covers the full spectrum of the equine industry and is expected to attract about 18,000 visitors.

Similar in concept to a pillow and pillow-case, the saddle cloth comprises two parts - a vented saddle pad (the inner part) and the skin (the outer part).

It was designed and developed by Lee Forsman and Karen Huckstep, who wanted to work with a New Zealand company for a wool-based products to manufacture the skins but were "really hitting a brick wall".

Then Ms Huckstep stumbled across Lavinia Calvert and Grant Scott, owners of performance fightwear company Gimono Ltd, who developed the high-performance textile Fortitude for use in martial arts apparel.

Spotting an opportunity to provide a breathable, performance alternative to the heavy, double-weave cotton uniforms worn in traditional martial arts, they commissioned the textiles division of AgResearch to provide contract research and development to develop the fit-for-purpose material.

Fortitude combines merino wool with polyester to deliver high levels of breathability, comfort and durability.

It also wicks moisture, is shrink resistant, colour-fast, easy-care, anti-odour and anti-microbial, which makes it ideal for saddle cloths.

Having read how it was being used, Ms Huckstep decided it "sounded perfect" for their business venture.

"It's funny how you can be searching for something and it's under your nose," she said.

With thick and heavy saddle cloths predominant in the market, trapping air flow, heat, sweat and bacteria, while also proving difficult to clean, the couple had decided there must be a better way.

Their aim was to design a saddle cloth that could be used across a wide range of equestrian disciplines to deliver better horse comfort, better saddle protection and be "super easy care".

The pad incorporates a mesh weave to allow for better shock absorption and air flow and the skin slips over the pad to make up the finished product.

Ms Calvert, who worked closely with Ms Huckstep and Mr Forsman, said the saddle cloths provided the same benefits as their martial art costumes.

There had been a very good response from customers of those costumes -"once they wear one of ours, they never go back to the old cotton things" - and she believed the saddle cloths had real potential.