Flint Original Hospital Felt had its origin in 1989 when David Flint, owner of Flint Saddlery, was asked by concerned professional equestrian people (English and Western disciplines) whose horses are used many hours daily to find a solution to such problems as scalding, fibrosis and ulceration resulting in the horses being unusable for days. David experimented with many different pad materials currently on the market but none solved the problem.  One day while visiting a friend in the hospital who had been bedridden for six months, David remarked that he must have bedsores.  The friend explained that there were no bedsores because of the special hospital felt pad that was under him.  The mill that produced the pad was contacted, modifications to the milling process were discussed and the first Flint Original Hospital Felt™ pad with its many therapeutic properties was produced.  In fact, Flint Saddlery, has an exclusive agreement with the mill for this felt which is grey in colour making it easy to distinguish the Flint Original Hospital Felt™ from other common polyester orthopaedic or sports hospital felts.

Flint Original Hospital Felt™ is free of coatings or finishes to ensure air circulation and dissipation of heat and moisture from the horse's body.  The fibre loops mesh with the horse's coat to prevent slippage under the saddle.  Due to the high content of special fibre, not found in sports felt, Flint Original Hospital Felt™ offers excellent protective and therapeutic qualities and excellent shock absorption value.  The main advantage is its ability to absorb and wick both moisture and heat away from the horse's body.  The short fibres work with the horse's coat resulting in much less slippage.  Bacteria won't grow in the pad.  You will find that your horse is much drier under the pad after a ride.   These qualities are retained after extended use and enhanced by frequent washing of the pad.

Flint Saddlery has developed Western/Ropers cinches, English and Australian girths with removable felt pads for easy washing to keep it clean.  Since it is exchangeable it helps to prevent the spread of skin diseases from horse to horse when working several horses a day.

Exclusively developed by David Flint for Flint Saddlery with the narrow-built horse in mind is the only Contoured Western Cinch® with removable felt pad in the world.

Flint Saddlery also offers Western Breast Collar with removable felt pads.   The Western look and the comfort of the horse are most important.

The superior therapeutic properties of the Flint Original Hospital Felt™ are put to excellent use in the various Western, Ropers, English and Australian saddle pads.  All 1” saddle pads come with the Rigging-Cut, a new concept, where the bottom of the saddle pad is shaped to accommodate all riggings – full, 7/8”, 3 /4” and 5/8”.  The Western/Ropers saddle pad has three air vents along the spine and 4” relief-cuts in front and back. The Western Contoured saddle pad consists of a two-piece saddle pad with a special air vent along the spine. The Western Ergonomic saddle pad offers a new ergonomic spine venting design.  The Western/Ropers Orthopaedic saddle pad comes with raised withers and spine venting.  Matching under-blanket pads are available for all Western, Ropers, English and Australian saddle pads.

Flint Saddlery also manufactures adjustable, super tough and waterproof saddle and horn bags with easy to use velcro flaps to seal them from the weather.  The unique design allows the bags to be adjusted to the horse’s size.   They are available in camouflage, black and brown and can be dressed up with fancy south-western designs on the flaps.  Specially designed chap leggings with velcro closure are available in black, brown and camouflage and come with a carrying pouch. Camouflage bags and pannier soft pack meat bags with lids are available for the hunter.

David Flint is constantly experimenting and, subsequently, improving his product lines.   His commitment to top quality and innovation is evident in all products offered by Flint Saddlery.

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