foam backing is in turn covered by another hydrophilic layer which in one embodiment is synthetic sheepskin and in the other is a cloth cover the saddle pads are constructed with a withers relief gusset application_number US 92088904 A description for the purposes of this description the definitions of u201c passive performance fibers u201d and u201c comfort fabrics u201d are derived from the article in the international fiber journal and the dupont patents cited hereinabove a passive performance fiber is defined as a sculpted fiber generally scalloped oval in cross section and having longitudinal grooves in the surface thereof which grooves create a mechanism for wicking away or transporting water from a body a u201c comfort fabric u201d is defined as one utilizing a passive performance fiber and employed in an article that wicks perspiration away from a body in the first embodiment a moisture wicking saddle pad is constructed entirely from synthetic materials the structure is layered and provides optimal comfort for the horse by having a unique arrangement using recently developed comfort materials in this embodiment the pad is constructed with an upper shell which is peripherally attached to the lower shell assemblage and thus may be considered to be a self binding pad referring now to fig1 through 4 the saddle pad of the first embodiment is shown and is referred to generally by the reference designator 10 the upper shell 12 is a synthetic fleece body 14 mounted on a substrate or an open weave backing material 16 unlike natural fleece and because there are no natural oils to wash off synthetic fleece 14 retains its compressibility and memory after numerous washings as noted in leson u s.