This overview summarizes several thermal images captured during a 15-minute trial ride with a custom Yves Lesire saddle and three blankets/pads: a ThunderCloud 50 Mohair/50 New Zealand Wool blanket, a ThunderCloud 100% Alpaca blanket, and a high-quality, thin Neoprene pad. The rider has a notable knee issue, causing an imbalance between the left and right sides. The first test took place outdoors in the shade on a mild day (77°F). The results of a two-hour ride in extremely hot weather are presented at the end of this overview.

Saddle images: Top-down view of the saddle with both Mohair and Alpaca blankets in use

The thermal image shows an even distribution of heat across the saddle’s surface.

A slight difference can be seen along the saddle’s channel between the Mohair and Alpaca materials. Using the Alpaca blanket led to a buildup of heat due to how it disperses warmth, though interestingly, the temperature was still one degree lower, even though the Alpaca blanket was used second on a horse that was already warm. The pressure points are well spread out, and the central area clearly indicates there’s no pressure on the spine.

Blanket images: Top view of the Mohair and Alpaca blankets

The broad, even red-white area shows how friction and pressure zones are spread out. The heat is distributed evenly, suggesting the weight is balanced, and the saddle fits properly.

The green-yellow area at the withers shows that pressure and friction are fully released in this region.

The red and white area along the lower edge of the blanket, which is a bit more pronounced on the Mohair, is due to the extra thickness of a custom tooled wear leather attached by Yves Lesire. This custom wear leather is not standard with a ThunderCloud.

The heat distribution across the blanket is even, so the pressure during use is distributed well, with no concentrated hot spots that could cause discomfort or injuries to the animal.

Spinal freedom: The absence of hot spots along the spine indicates that neither the saddle nor the blanket is applying direct pressure to this sensitive area. This is key to preventing back pain or irritation. Withers clearance: The withers, a particularly delicate spot, also remain free. No excess heat in this region indicates the blanket and saddle fit the horse’s shape well, avoiding any risk of pinching or rubbing.

The same temperature differences observed earlier in the saddle images are evident here, highlighting the Alpaca blanket’s superior ability to dissipate heat. In terms of even pressure distribution, both blankets perform equally well. The minor pressure variations seen in the saddle’s thermal images are absent in the blanket images, indicating that both blankets provide sufficient cushioning to absorb pressure issues caused by rider imbalance. The thermal photo clearly demonstrates that the blanket fits well: both pressure and heat are evenly distributed, and the horse’s spine and withers are protected. This setup enhances the horse’s comfort and helps prevent injuries from uneven weight distribution.

Comparison with a thin Neoprene saddle pad

Thermal imaging highlights significant friction zones, especially around the shoulders and at the rear of the saddle near the horse’s thoracic vertebrae.

The pressure distribution isn’t even, which can lead to hot spots or discomfort during extended training sessions.

A slight left/right imbalance can be observed, likely caused by the rider’s own imbalance and less effective compensation by the pad.

The withers remain clear and unobstructed.

Thundercloud Alpaca saddle blanket trial on a two-hour ride across varied terrain

The horse was ridden at the walk, trot, and canter by the same imbalanced rider with the knee issue.

This test was carried out in extremely hot 95°F weather. It was late in the day, with the sun hidden behind the hills, so there was no direct sunlight. The mare came back soaking wet.

You can clearly see the heat-release channel along the saddle’s gullet. Both the blanket and the saddle maintained a reasonable temperature, with the ground appearing as the hottest spot in the thermal images. The green and yellow bands in the blanket’s image are caused by heavier sweating in some intercostal regions, as the mare is currently quite overweight. Images from both sides show that the area under the saddle is cooler than the rest of the horse’s body, demonstrating strong heat dispersion and ventilation—great for the horse’s comfort and injury prevention. The coldest areas are along the withers and spine, indicating they are well protected from pressure and rubbing. The saddle’s pressure points are actually cooler than the surrounding zones, further proving how effectively the blanket dissipates heat.

Summary

The ThunderCloud Saddle Blanket does an outstanding job of distributing pressure and heat evenly. It safeguards sensitive areas like the withers and spine, making a real difference in your horse’s comfort. The effectiveness of the Alpaca blanket was clearly demonstrated during the two-hour trial.

In terms of saddle stability, the Alpaca and Mohair blankets delivered better steadiness than the wool felt pad, though not quite as much as the neoprene. When it comes to how the horse feels and moves, ThunderCloud Saddle Blankets are noticeably superior to the other pads typically used with the mare, which is a big plus.

Nelly Rivoire (Holistic Animal Therapist)
Equipment used: FlirT camera for iOS.
Test carried out on Game Night Wolf Hill, a 9-year-old Irish Cob cross, fitted with a custom Yves Lesire saddle made two years ago.