Padding prevents every type of harness injury, and wool or sheepskin is the gold standard because it wicks moisture and stays cushioned; dense wool felt is the traditional collar stuffing. Straw works but compresses and must be replaced frequently, and closed-cell foam, cattail fluff and milkweed fluff need a fabric shell.
Part of Harness & Yoke Making
Padding materials for collars, yokes and straps: properties, limits and how to cover them.
Padding Works By Spreading Pressure And Keeping Skin Dry
A pad does two things: it increases the area over which the pull is carried, and it keeps sweat from sitting against skin. A material that does only the first, and holds water, still causes sores. A material that packs flat does neither after a few days.
| Material | What the source says | Practical note |
|---|---|---|
| Wool or sheepskin | The gold standard; naturally wicks moisture and stays cushioned | Use against skin where possible |
| Felt | Dense wool felt is traditional collar stuffing | See Wet Felting for making it |
| Straw | Works but compresses and must be replaced frequently | Short-term filler |
| Salvaged foam | Closed-cell foam from seat cushions, sleeping pads or vehicle seats; cut to shape and cover with cloth to prevent crumbling | Check for open-cell or degraded foam |
| Cattail or milkweed fluff | Lightweight and compressible; needs a fabric shell | Dry before use |
What You Need
- The padding material.
- A cloth or leather cover — smooth, without seams on the contact face.
- Thread or glue — see Building the Collar for stuffing a collar.
- A shape to fit — the collar, saddle, yoke seat or strap.
Method: Pad A Contact Surface
Step 1: Choose the material. Prefer wool or sheepskin against the skin. Use felt for collar stuffing. Use the others where these are not available.
Step 2: Shape it. Cut foam to the form needed. Build collar stuffing thickest at the sides where the shoulders bear the load.
Step 3: Cover it. Foam and fluff need a fabric shell; loose straw needs a bag. The inner face against the animal must be smooth.
Step 4: Check evenness. Press it by hand. No lumps, no thin spots.
Step 5: Maintain. Replace straw frequently. Clean and dry pads; dried sweat and grit are abrasive.
Common Mistakes
- Leaving foam uncovered — it crumbles.
- Using open-cell foam — it holds water; the source specifies closed-cell.
- Lumpy stuffing — a lump is a pressure point.
- Never changing straw — it compresses to nothing.
Safety
Pads hide sores
A thick pad can hide the first signs of a rub. Check the skin and the pad after every work session, and do not use a damp or moldy pad on broken skin. See Common Harness Injuries.
What’s Next
- Learn next: Preventing Harness Injuries — how padding fits into prevention
- Combine with: Yoke Fitting & Padding — padding a yoke