Title pretty much says it. I understand all of the benefits of using natural fleece and use a Fleeceworks dressage pad (fleece directly on horse), which my horse and I love. However, my saddle fitter said I need a rear riser for my jumping saddle and she strongly recommended a fleece half pad with shims, like Mattes, to put over my fitted pad (Tolkat quilted). However, it seems to me that if you are putting the half pad over a cotton (or even another fleece pad), it’s really the quality of the shimming material that matters and the benefits of fleece are mostly lost. She just kept saying fleece was still better, but for a $100+ difference, I want to know why. Can anybody provided me with a $100+ answer? 
Not a direct answer but we got a wool matress cover. It is under our bottom sheet. Even with a layer between the heat dissipation and softness is heavenly. Way better than a synthetic fleece pad would be.
So perhaps while not as great as direct contact the benefits still exist? Sheepskin seems more fluid than fleece- perhaps it can smooth the transition between the risers better as the fibers can re-arrange themselves?
I have the Mattes shim pad and love it!
My saddle fitters are always commenting on how my sheepskin pad goes directly on my horse’s back and the the baby pad on top of that. I get the benefits of the sheepskin and it seems to stay fluffier than those who put the baby pad on first and then a sheepskin pad.
It makes people feel good. 
The only benefit would be if the saddle was slightly too wide it would narrow it up a little. When I saddle fit, I always ask what pads they are using because it does effect the fit.
Here is some more information on saddle pads. http://www.hastilowusa.com/tack/Pads-and-Numnahs.pdf
I use it because my saddle is a bit wide. I could use another type pad like a skito or one of those gummy pads, but I like how flexible and conforming the sheepskin is.
I know its not wicking moisture or using really any of its properties except maybe being breathable. I have a few Mattes pads with the sheepskin on the underside and I like them but see no real difference from my saddle pad and sheepskin combo. My horse is still soaked with sweat where the pad is after.
I use a regular cotton/foam shimmable pad for this reason, it doesn’t have to be sheepskin. I think the brand is Equine Comfort Products…around $60!
In most cases, because people like the look. Sort of like how every horse is suddenly fly-sensitive and needs to wear a cute, piped, fringed, color-coordinated bonnet for all three phases. :rolleyes:
My saddle fitter told me to use one either way. My mare’s saddle fits her as well as you are going to get a saddle to fit an old sway-backed horse. Just offers some protection to a weak back.
I was always told that sheepskin/fleece helps to eliminate pressure points and minimize excess friction/movement. It doesn’t need to be directly against the skin for this purpose. Sheepskin also helps to wick moisture, which would require direct contact for this effect. Whether this is true or not I have no idea!
I have the Equine Comfort sheepskin halfpad (cheaper alternative to Mattes) that I used on top of another pad because it improves the fit of my saddle.
Shim over saddle pad= pressure points. Shim over sheepskin over saddle pad= no/less pressure points/ridges.
I haven’t read the other replies but it’s the same concept with using a pad under a wool flocked saddle. Tbh It’s to keep it clean and stop sweat from damaging it. However as long as the pad is a natural fibre like cotton it’s fine. The sheepskin will still disperse the heat through breathable cotton and it’s important with a foam saddle (makes jack all difference with real wool flock unless you need the shims) as foam will cause hot spots against the skin. (Like wearing man made shoes - sweaty!!).
Also shims are man made so again it’s nice to have the cotton and sheepskin lining.
What doesn’t make sense is using an expensive fleece half pad over a polyester saddle pad as it completely misses the point of the sheepskin for its breathable properties as the air won’t circulate through the polyester. (If you ever sleep on polyester sheets you will know what I mean 
).
My mare sweats through her first pad so the sweat definitely makes its way up to the half pad and the sheepskin has better wicking properties than the cotton, but if I laid it directly on my horse it would be drenched every ride and negate its purpose and comfort. However, to be honest, I hate it. My AP pads billet straps don’t fit all the way around it so my saddle pads mysteriously disappear underneath my saddle. I would use a grippy pad in between the two or on my horse’s back before the AP, but then the wicking properties would be totally useless. If I had the money to use a different one I would probably try the ogilvy
It was hard to bite the bullet after reading threads like this and put my brand spanking new white sheepskin right on my still-winter-wooly gelding’s back early this spring. I was surprised how much he seemed to love it, move better and the saddle felt better.
There is definitely benefit to using the sheepskin directly against the horse’s back. I feel a little guilty I didn’t do it sooner.
I hear you and hated to put my sheepskin directly on the horse - I still do.
But when I did, I had very clean horse, rugged and in a very clean paddock
so she stays clean over most of her body. The Thinline I washed eventually and was very pleased how nice it came up, just like new. I’d not wash it every ride, but it worked fine. I went back to the baby pad on the horse and sheepskin on top of the pad, believing that the wicking and air flow would not be hindered too much. Then I can wash the baby pads every time or when necessary and sweaty. Maybe it’s a geographical thing. She does not get too sweaty here.
I was told yesterday by a saddle fitter that these sheepskin half pads absorb shock really well. She has a computerized saddle fit system (she did not bring it with her though) and she said you can really see the difference.
I had not heard that before but I know endurance riders like the.
I always use my Fleeceworks dressage sheepskin directly on her. After we ride, I let it dry out and then vacuum or brush it to get the loose hair and dirt off. That makes it fluffy again. I wash it every month or 2 depending on how dirty it is. I use it at least 3 times/week for 2 years now and it has held up great.
So, how crazy is this? I have an old sheepskin car seat cover that doesn’t fit my current car’s seats. I will probably never use it as a car seat cover (and it’s mate is now a dog bed :D). I’m thinking for my jumping saddle of cutting out a piece of the seat cover in the shape of the back part of the saddle (for a riser) and then another section the size of the whole saddle pad, and sewing it to the underside of my saddle pad … :lol:
