Sheepskin vs faux sheepskin girth?

[EllieLouLou]

I am looking to buy a new sheepskin elasticated girth for my cob but I'm struggling to find one I like/that will fit, that is real sheepskin, it seems most places only have faux.
What are peoples opinions on the both? Which is best for durability, washing and comfort?

If any one has any recommendations for girths (that don't break the bank) please let me know!

 

[Micropony]

Sheepskin is great for wicking and absorbing sweat and spreading pressure. Synthetic equivalent is a poor sweaty imitation, and I wouldn't touch it with a barge pole personally, either for myself or my horse.

Wool IME isn't as good as sheepskin but is miles better than synthetic.

Have you looked at girth sleeves, or is your girth an odd shape?

 

[welshpony216]

Welcome!

Both can get matted with sweat if they are not cleaned regularly. I think that fake would be easer to clean. On my horse, I use a leather girth with a machine washable cover on it. ( after each ride I just through it in the washer, and it stays nice and clean!)

 

[EllieLouLou]

Sheepskin is great for wicking and absorbing sweat and spreading pressure. Synthetic equivalent is a poor sweaty imitation, and I wouldn't touch it with a barge pole personally, either for myself or my horse.

Wool IME isn't as good as sheepskin but is miles better than synthetic.

Have you looked at girth sleeves, or is your girth an odd shape?

I was going to get a sleeve but I need to get a new elasticated girth so thought might as well buy both already together. also I was worried about a sleeve slipping as he can have a bit of a hissy when doing girth (he has been checked & has no issues just doesn't like the initial girth placement)

 

[ester]

Having used sleeves a lot (mostly nuumed, I wouldnt' use synthetic it does none of the things I need a sleveve to do) I've never had one slip.

 

[welshpony216]

Having used sleeves a lot (mostly nuumed, I wouldnt' use synthetic it does none of the things I need a sleveve to do) I've never had one slip.

Same. They are VERY easy to clean, sheepskin is super hard to clean and can easily irritate the horse.

 

[criso]

I've have the Christ Lammfelle sheepskin girths, also marketed as Horsedreams. They're backed onto nylon not leather so very easy to pop in the washing machine when you need to. Amazing quality and very soft. They're not cheap but pop up on ebay from time to time. They also do girth sleeves

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

Sheepskin is great for wicking and absorbing sweat and spreading pressure. Synthetic equivalent is a poor sweaty imitation, and I wouldn't touch it with a barge pole personally, either for myself or my horse.

Wool IME isn't as good as sheepskin but is miles better than synthetic.

Have you looked at girth sleeves, or is your girth an odd shape?

I like a bit of sheep over synthetic melp cleaner in brilliant and most of the time inbetween I just give the thing a little brush.

 

[vmac66]

I have the le mieux sheepskin girth sleeve. Doesn't slip and horse seems to like it.

 

[Lipglosspukka]

I have the KM Elite lambs wool girth sleeve.

Doesn't slip at all with my girth, is in fact very snug and is a lovely product. Sweat just wicks away into nothing.

 

[TotalMadgeness]

I have the le mieux wool girths and I spray detangler on them after washing and brush with a dog brush! They don't slip and are nice & fluffy.

 

[sbloom]

Sheepskin isn't hard to clean, as others say use a leather detergent, and arguably Mattes' Melp is the best, and machine wash on wool setting, dry slowly. I would recommend the Mattes girths, they have several designs for different anatomies.