Sheepskin Pad Durability

[joiedevie99]

My new horse is getting some hard bumps on his back. The saddle fitter suggested that I try using the sheepskin directly on his back instead of on top of a pad. Unfortunately, this makes the pads shift around, and I worry that the irritation will get worse.

I’m looking to buy a one-piece set-up - the square pad with the integrated sheepskin panels. This will obviously get washed a whole lot more than a half pad that doesn’t touch the horse, so I want one that will hold up. All of my half pads are the Mattes Platinum. I’ve seen a few one-piece set-ups advertised: LeMieux Merino+, the Christ Horsedream, the Mattes Gold, and the Mattes Platinum. Anyone have any recommendations or thoughts on durability?

Thank you!

[beowulf]

Definitely get the one piece set up - it sits under the saddle much better than two separate pieces, far less bulk and no shifting around.

I have multiple of the Lemieux Merino with sheepskin backing - one is about six years old. It has been used daily on multiple horses and it still looks less than a year old.

I do not machine wash mine. I put them in a bucket of cold water before I ride, with a glug or two of whatever soap/shampoo I have on hand. Mix around and soak, while I ride. When I’m done with my ride I hand-stir and then take a Tiger tongue (a sponge will do but not be as good) and scrub the dirty areas vigorously. Rinse/hose off and hang out to dry. This doesn’t make it “show quality” clean, but it does make it perfectly clean for a clinic or lesson. I have a black LeMieux that is reserved for shows.

If you brush out the fur + dirt after every ride, you’ll be surprised by how infrequently you need to wash the pad. I might wash mine once a month in the summer if it gets really sweaty, but usually only wash a handful of times in the winter.

I agree with your fitter that sheepskin directly on the horse is much more comfortable - my horse seems to really like his sheepskin pad over Thinline, even though I think the Thinline does a better job of concussion absorption. He will nose it while it is hung over the fence and seems to really enjoy being “pet” by it.

I would be alarmed that you have hard bumps on his back. Can you get a second opinion that the saddle fits…? Are you sure they are not bug bites?

[joiedevie99]

@beowulf

Definitely get the one piece set up - it sits under the saddle much better than two separate pieces, far less bulk and no shifting around.

I have multiple of the Lemieux Merino with sheepskin backing - one is about six years old. It has been used daily on multiple horses and it still looks less than a year old.

I do not machine wash mine. I put them in a bucket of cold water before I ride, with a glug or two of whatever soap/shampoo I have on hand. Mix around and soak, while I ride. When I’m done with my ride I hand-stir and then take a Tiger tongue (a sponge will do but not be as good) and scrub the dirty areas vigorously. Rinse/hose off and hang out to dry. This doesn’t make it “show quality” clean, but it does make it perfectly clean for a clinic or lesson. I have a black LeMieux that is reserved for shows.

If you brush out the fur + dirt after every ride, you’ll be surprised by how infrequently you need to wash the pad. I might wash mine once a month in the summer if it gets really sweaty, but usually only wash a handful of times in the winter.

I agree with your fitter that sheepskin directly on the horse is much more comfortable - my horse seems to really like his sheepskin pad over Thinline, even though I think the Thinline does a better job of concussion absorption. He will nose it while it is hung over the fence and seems to really enjoy being “pet” by it.

I would be alarmed that you have hard bumps on his back. Can you get a second opinion that the saddle fits…? Are you sure they are not bug bites?

Thanks!!! I’m glad to hear I may not need to wash these every 2-3 days like I do saddle pads.

Saddle fit is definitely an issue in that he doesn’t have one yet. I’ve owned him 2 months and we’re in the process of finding the right one. We’ve had a bunch of demos, and thought we had a winner last week, but the knee blocks started to hit me wrong as it broke in, so it went back. Unfortunately, I got a quote of 7 months to order new, so we continue the search for a used/demo that will work.

[Feathered_Feet]

I’ve used only sheepskin pads (the kind you describe) for close to a decade now. I have several of the Crist Horsedreams, and they are great - I have my original from ~ 10 years ago that just now has started to lose a clump from the sheepskin (for context, I have one horse I ride, 3-6 days per week, rotating between ~ 3 pads, so it’s not like I’ve used it every day for 10 years). The most important thing I’ve been told from sheepskin pad manufacturers is to never wash it with regular detergent - that is how you destroy them. Always use a sheepskin-friendly wash formula - I use Melp, and you only need ~ 200 mls per wash (but I think anything rated for wool would be fine - check with the manufacturer). After each ride, I comb the sheepskin to fluff it, sometimes I vacuum it with a handheld vacuum to get the hair up, and when I have two that are dirty I wash them with Melp. I do a very low-temp (or air fluff) 20 min run in the drier then finish drying (outside in the sun, inside on a chair, etc). I have ruined them before by drying on too much heat and the cotton shrinks, but not the sheepskin, leaving the cotton slightly ill-fitted.

But I agree with Beowolf - hard bumps sound suspicious. Are they sensitive/painful?

[catchcan]

I have a Fleeceworks pad with removable (velcro) fleece panels. I use it about 5 times a week. It is 5 or 6 years old and the panels are starting to lose wool when I brush them, but it is still usable. I expect I’ll have to replace the panels in another year or two.

You don’t have to wash sheepskin very often, even when used directly against the horse. You just let it air dry and then brush the salt and hair out with a stiff brush. Wool is naturally moisture repellent and antimicrobial. I have only had to wash my fleece panels a couple of times after storing them where they couldn’t dry properly and they developed a funky smell.

[joiedevie99]

@Feathered_Feet

But I agree with Beowolf - hard bumps sound suspicious. Are they sensitive/painful?

Thanks! No, the bumps are not sensitive at all. Chiro says he’s seen them on very sensitive horses when they get a bug bite under the saddle or a clogged follicle or some other minor irritation then go into overdrive and make a hard nodule out of it. I’ll have the vet check them out if they don’t disappear in a few weeks.

[Scribbler]

I have sheepskin pads that I occasionally use against the horses skin. I agree you do not need to wash them that often and that horses love the feeling. I wash mine on delicate cycle with Melp in a top loader, and hang to dry over the back of a chair, fluff up with a hair brush. I have several different brands including a Mattes and a Champion and a Tuscany, and they are all holding up fine.

[GreyDes]

I’ll pile on

I have Mattes that are 12+ years old and still in very usable shape. Mine are platinum and I wash fairly frequently in cold water with Melp, then air dry. The binding and piping have some fraying and fading, but the sheepskin is still excellent.

I’ve also had good success with the Christ sheepskin pads. I had very poor experiences with Fleeceworks - I had two pads fall apart quickly with the exact same treatment I give the Mattes.

FYI - there are two main types of material. The first is true sheepskin (e.g. Mattes platinum, Christ), with the wool attached to the skin. This is the one you have to be particularly careful washing, because you essentially have leather in your saddle pad. The second is sheepswool woven into a fabric back (no actual skin - e.g Mattes gold, Lemieux). You can be far less fussy washing these - the wool needs a mild detergent, but you’re not washing leather.

I think the full sheepskin is denser and lasts longer, but it’s also more expensive and picky about how you care for it.

[Goforward]

The Christ Horsedream sheepskin is amazingly durable. The only thing I’ve found that can wreck it is moths. My pads are super old and still can get fluffy after a wash and a gentle brushing.

[Mouse_amp_Bay]

I just retired my PM Mattes saddles pad. Purchased in 2000, now enjoying a life of retirement as a whippet chin rest.

I think I paid about $200 for it so that thing certainly did it’s time of ~5x per week duty for 1, 2 and eventually 3 horses. I splurged on a new custom one recently (I think it was $300 with custom colours), looking forward to another 20 years with my little fuzzy.

[joiedevie99]

@Goforward

The Christ Horsedream sheepskin is amazingly durable. The only thing I’ve found that can wreck it is moths. My pads are super old and still can get fluffy after a wash and a gentle brushing.

The spine length is listed at 27" whereas the Mattes is listed at 22.5" Does it seem large to you?

[SillyHorse]

I have a Fleeceworks pad with the separate sheepskin panels that attach with velcro. I let the sheepskin dry, then gently brush out the dirt and dried sweat, and it has held up well. Once in a while, when it stops responding well to brushing, I take the panels off the pad, machine wash (gentle cycle) them in Leather Therapy Laundry Solution, and let them air dry. They come out like new.

[Jealoushe]

Mattes pads are worth the money imo. I have one that is at least a decade old and still great.

I’m also a huge fan of lemieux, they seem to also hold up great. You can get them at the best price by ordering direct from their website. https://www.lemieuxproducts.com/saddle-pad/merino-lambswool-pads/merino-wool-dressage

Premiere equine also makes these,you can get them on sale sometimes too. They have 2 wool choices I believe also. https://www.premierequine.co.uk/shockproof-wool-dressage-saddle-pad-c2x27181367

[kashmere]

Not sure if you want the addition of Thinline, but I’ve had a thinline sheepskin for going on 12 years that is still in tip top shape.

[theresak]

@joiedevie99

Thanks! No, the bumps are not sensitive at all. Chiro says he’s seen them on very sensitive horses when they get a bug bite under the saddle or a clogged follicle or some other minor irritation then go into overdrive and make a hard nodule out of it. I’ll have the vet check them out if they don’t disappear in a few weeks.

Just an FYI - my horse had these frequently, but when I stopped using bleach on my saddle pads, they went away and have never come back. My saddle fitter said the bumps can sometimes be caused by irritation from the material or residue on the saddle pads.

[Somantu]

@joiedevie99

… I’ve seen a few one-piece set-ups advertised: LeMieux Merino+, the Christ Horsedream, the Mattes Gold, and the Mattes Platinum. Anyone have any recommendations or thoughts on durability?

Thank you!

I have them all –– they’re super durable. I let them dry post-ride and brush out sweat and dirt with a slicker brush. I can go anywhere from 5 to 10 rides before washing, depending on sweatiness.

LeMieux is softest, but dense enough to protect .
Christ is thickest. I had to shave the spine down for gullet clearance.
Mattes Gold is the lightest, but still dense.
Mattes Platinum is super dense. Both Mattes have a nice open shearling-free spine.

[joiedevie99]

Thanks so much everyone!!!

Smartpak is still running their $50 GC offer, so I grabbed a Mattes Platinum since that’s the half pad he’s used to. If this works for him, I’ll check out some of the others too so we have a few to rotate. That Premiere Equine looks really nice. I hadn’t even thought of them.

@theresak Thank you!! My barn moved facilities a few weeks back. I wonder if they’re using different detergent? I will investigate.

[IPEsq]

I bought some for the same reason–bug bites that turned into lumps. They did improve after some time with wool pads.

I prefer the LeMieux merino backed pads. They do not have the skin and so they are much easier to wash. Still very bulky in the machine but they clean up well (at least the navy and black ones I have). I use a wool friendly wash, but no Melp required without the skin. I prefer the quality of the pad to the Fleeceworks wool ones. Fleeceworks sheepskin is much nicer, but again, you have to be more careful washing. And at that price point, I’d probably go with Mattes because I’m not a huge fan of the quilt material for Fleeceworks. But I do use a Fleeceworks comb on my LeMieux pads after washing.

Another option is the Draper Therapy pad–the backing is a mix of wool and cellient. Not as bulky, but since you usually use a half pad, the fluffier ones should work for you.

[theresak]

@joiedevie99

Thanks so much everyone!!!

Smartpak is still running their $50 GC offer, so I grabbed a Mattes Platinum since that’s the half pad he’s used to. If this works for him, I’ll check out some of the others too so we have a few to rotate. That Premiere Equine looks really nice. I hadn’t even thought of them.

@theresak Thank you!! My barn moved facilities a few weeks back. I wonder if they’re using different detergent? I will investigate.

The machine may not be rinsing all the detergent out either - I cut way back on the amount of detergent I was using on my saddle pads and just run them through second rinse and spin or a full second wash without any soap if they are really dirty.

[iris2006]

I have a Mattes with Thinline panels attached on top. It is perfect!