Hello!
I’m in need of a half pad that has sheepskin underneath, and is shimmable in front and back. I know Mattes makes one, but it’s SO expensive. Are there any other options? The Le Mieux looks nice, but I have no experience with that brand.
LeMieux products are fantastic. I have their shimmable half pad, and the fleece half pad, but not the shimmable fleece one. Both are fantastic. I mainly use their half lined pads (so, fleece against the horse’s back), and they hold up to daily use and regular washing without any issues.
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YOU CAN WASH THEM? Even the fleece/lambskin??
Following. I wanted to post the exact same question!
Totally. I strongly suggest using a front loader (never really gets clean in a top loader), and it’s essential to use a wool/leather wash. LeMieux makes a good one https://www.horsehealth.co.uk/saddle-pad/merino-lambswool-pads/wool-wash/lemieux-wool-wash or Fitform’s Bio Wash https://cavalier.on.ca/pharmaka-pepede-wash-1l or Woolskins detergent https://www.medicalsheepskins.com/woolskin-sheepskin-shampoo-conditioner/. I’ve used all of them, depending on availability, and they all work really well.
I mainly have Merino+ pads (merino on fabric backing), but I do have a Full Monty sheepskin pad as well, and it washes up just as well, although I use it much less, so it hasn’t had the long hard miles of the other pads.
@Samondel, thank you for clarifying. My inexperience is showing! I don’t need a “full monty” sheepskin…I really just need it on the entire underside of the pad. Fabric on top would be just fine.
The “Full Monty” is this rather over the top article https://www.horsehealth.co.uk/saddle-pad/merino-lambswool-pads/merino-gp/prolambswool-gp-full-monty-numnah-black-black-merino. I have it in white, but was forbidden from using it in competition because people are no fun.
I think what you would want depends on whether you need the wool against your horse or not. If you’re planning to use it as a conventional halfpad with a baby pad etc under it, and you need it shimmable, I think https://www.horsehealth.co.uk/lemieux/half-pads/half-pads-pro-sorb/pro-sorb-half-pad-white-natural-system is what you’re after. If, on the other hand, you need shims but want wool against your horse (which I am an enormous proponent of), I would put something in the nature of https://www.horsehealth.co.uk/saddle-pad/corrective-pads/prosorb-plain-half-pads/pro-sorb-plain-half-pad-black (used to be available in white, maybe still is elsewhere?) on top of https://www.horsehealth.co.uk/saddle-pad/merino-lambswool-pads/merino-wool-close-contact/merino-cc-jump-square-half-lined-black-black.
I am not remotely affiliated with LeMieux (I wish!), but I use and love their products, and am happy to spread the word.
First why do you need shims?
Shim half pads are mostly 4 slots, you can alter front and/or back… But if the saddle bridges you need a 6 slot pad so you can alter front and/or back and/or middle Those are harder to find, basically TSC, Le Mieux, and I think Thinline.
4 pocket sheepskin shim half pads are more common.
All sheepskin pads are pricey new, and the shim ones are more expensive because they have more details and shims are included.
Le Mieux is a great brand though my saddle fitter thought the lambskin might be less sturdy than sheepskin, and directed me to TSF. I needed a 6 pocket shim last year for an older horse whose back was dropping.
Yes, sheepskin can go in cold gentle wash with a specialized soap like Melp, and hang to dry. Usually they only need washing if you are using them against the horses skin as in an integrated sheepskin dressage pad.
I would always suggest not getting white if possible because the cotton cloth upper gets dingy and you can’t use bleach or even proper laundry detergent on account of the fleece.
With luck you can find these gently used second hand because people often get them to fix temporary problems and then buy a new saddle.
Ovation makes a nice shimmable sheepskin half pad. Otherwise if you don’t need it right now, I highly suggest ordering from Hufglocken in Australia. They sell custom Mattes pads and you can usually find a discount code.
Le Mieux pads are really nice quality. I had a non shimmable sheepskin half pad from them and it was nicer than a lot of pads that are a lot more expensive.
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I use both a Mattes pad and a shimmable Thinline that I like.
I love my sheepskin Thinline pad that’s shimmable. Pricey but totally worth it!
i believe Total Saddle Fit has reasonably priced ones
