What would be the thickest, highest density sheepskin half pad? I have the Fleeceworks wither relief and do not like it. It shifts and packs down badly.
Mattes
Mattes. I’ve had problems with ECP packing down too quickly/unevenly.
Lemieux; http://www.horsehealth.co.uk/lemieux/lambskin-pads?zenid=601f39aad1e4be9486d48fa4b1647e29
They ship to the US and you don’t pay VAT.
I have both Mattes and Christ Lammfelle. Christ is much denser.
http://www.fourstarbrand.com/shop/brand/christ-lammfelle-saddle-pads/
[QUOTE=Somantu;8284693]
I have both Mattes and Christ Lammfelle. Christ is much denser.
http://www.fourstarbrand.com/shop/brand/christ-lammfelle-saddle-pads/[/QUOTE]
I agree with this, but it kind of depends on what you’re looking for. Mattes is purposely more close-cropped than Christ Lammfelle/Horsedream, but Mattes tends to have a stiffer quilted topper than Christ Lammfelle. So the net effect of Mattes pads is that they tend not to pack down much, even thought the fleece isn’t super duper thick. Christ Lammfelle’s schtick is to have sheepskin so thick and luxurious that even if the quilted topper isn’t particularly sturdy, the net effect is still a pretty thick, non-packed-down pad. The Thinline Saddle Fitter pad splits the difference between these schools of thought: fairly thick sheepskin but not crazy thick like Christ Horsedream, and Thinline material on top of the quilted fabric, which tends to help prop the saddle up and off the horse’s back.
That said, my personal pick for half pads is a $60 half pad by Engel. Nice sturdy quilted topper + much thicker and more luxurious natural sheepskin than you’d expect at that price tag. It’s not going to live up to a $170 Christ or $200 Mattes pad, but let’s just say it’s 75% as good at 1/3 of the price. For a pro rider who’s using the snot out of their sheepskin pad, I’d probably suggest Mattes. For someone with a very Princess and the Pea horse who needed maximum sheepskin luxury, I’d vote for Christ.
I can’t speak to some of the pads mentioned, but having owned Mattes, Thinline, and Equinelux pads, I would say that the most dense one out of those three was definitely the Equinelux. In fact, it was really TOO dense and thick for my saddle, so I ended up selling it.
If you go with Mattes you can sometimes find them at discounted prices on eBay brand new but be sure you are getting the Platinum not the gold. I have several and love them. I use them directly on my horse’s back with a thin baby pad on top.
Another vote for the Christ pad.
[QUOTE=Equibrit;8284621]
Lemieux; http://www.horsehealth.co.uk/lemieux/lambskin-pads?zenid=601f39aad1e4be9486d48fa4b1647e29
They ship to the US and you don’t pay VAT.[/QUOTE]
Someone here turned me on to Lemieux products a few years ago and I haven’t looked back. I also have this half pad and yes, it’s very dense and a little more than I need right now. I also use their saddle pads since they have a generous cut for my high withered boy. Ironically, I just received the new Dover catalog and eagerly thumbed through it hoping I could find a similar pad here in the States. No luck. I will continue to be a customer of Horse Health and Lemieux - love their products!
[QUOTE=Somantu;8284693]
I have both Mattes and Christ Lammfelle. Christ is much denser.
http://www.fourstarbrand.com/shop/brand/christ-lammfelle-saddle-pads/[/QUOTE]
I AGREE. The Christ Lammfelle. this is the one I use. very dense and more importantly it is made from an entire piece of sheepskin- not remnants sewn together so there are no seams that interfere and irritate.
I buy from dreamhorse: http://horsedreamimporters.com/pads.php
HKM Lambswool Half Pads
http://www.theconnectedrider.com/horse-tack/saddle-pads/hkm-lambswool-half-pad/
We have had several customers rave about these. The chocolate pink color is a favorite for training. Very high quality lambswool, very very soft but thick.
HKM Lambswool Half Pads
http://www.theconnectedrider.com/horse-tack/saddle-pads/hkm-lambswool-half-pad/
The above is our favorite pad at the moment. High density lambswool pad, super soft to the touch, and really beautiful color choices. We love the pink and the greyish purple, so pretty. Really high quaility at a great price!
I would also mention the Toklat Matrix half pads in sheepskin. I got one, and it was ridiculously thick, WAY more than the Fleeceworks one I had. I actually ended up selling it because it was so thick. Excellent quality.
Mattes. I’ve used numerous sheepskin half pads over the past decade, and I always come back to Mattes!!
I have both Mattes and Toklat Matrix pads–the Mattes is 10yrs old and in perfect condition. I like the Toklat too for a different saddle (it’s only a year or so old, but holding up beautifully). If you do go with a Mattes pad, it’s much cheaper to buy them directly from Germany.
They aren’t half pads, but any experience with these?
http://www.horsehealth.co.uk/saddle-pads/merino/merino-dressage
Apparently the fleece is removed from the skin and placed on a washable backing. I prefer the idea of a full pad to a half pad (just too many layers with half pads) but I wash my full pads regularly and assume that the fleece would not hold up. This idea is appealing.
I have had Fleeceworks, Mattes, etc. but by far the plushest was the Stephens I stumbled upon at a local tack shop: http://www.worldwidetack.com/stephen39s-sheepskin-saddle-half-lined-p-29.html It’s actually too thick for me to use with my saddle.
[QUOTE=MelanieC;8304389]
They aren’t half pads, but any experience with these?
http://www.horsehealth.co.uk/saddle-pads/merino/merino-dressage
Apparently the fleece is removed from the skin and placed on a washable backing. I prefer the idea of a full pad to a half pad (just too many layers with half pads) but I wash my full pads regularly and assume that the fleece would not hold up. This idea is appealing.[/QUOTE]
See posts 4 & 10.
All their pads are wonderful. Can be seen on everything in Carl Hester’s yard.
The regular sheepskin does hold up to washingin cold water with woolite. I doubt those would have the loft of the genuine article.
I’m a Christ girl. I just bought the thinline dressage pad and I feel like there’s so much going on under there that I can’t feel my horse’s back. Has anyone tried the Lettia sheepskin pad?
