Why use sheepskin?

[Madasmaz]

Funny question I know...everyone uses sheepskin in numnahs or saddlecloths these days. However, I have been looking around for something that fits the following criteria:
1) No heat build up
2) No rubbing or chaffing casued by saddle movement
3) Shock absorbing
4) Breathable.

I have found many products that do one or maybe 2 of these things. But not a single one that fits the bill for all. As I hate puting layer upon layer under the saddle what are the options?

 

[AmyMay]

Sheepskin - hence why people use them.

 

[Bossanova]

For shock absorbence I prefer prolites.
Sheepskin looks pretty

 

[Britestar]

Sheepskin does all you require. I use it as my lad reacts to polyester mix cloths/numnahs. Since using sheepskin directly on his back on probs.
Lots of folk use it over another layer, but the whole point is to put it directly on their back to get all the benefits!
Ok, so you have to wash it plenty, but its for horses' benefit, not looks

 

[Madasmaz]

Ah ha....have found a post about thin line pads...looks like just the job on top of a sheepskin.

 

[YorkshireLass]

You can't beat sheepskin. It is natural, breathable, does not rub and you don't need to use detergent to wash it because the absorbed sweat makes its own 'soap' when you wash it.

Make sure you fit the saddle with the sheepskin taken in to account as any thick cloth can alter the fit of a saddle.

If you don't want to run to the expense of a sheepsking pure wool or cotton are also natural fibers and do a good job.

 

[CracklinRosie]

Sheepskin will definately do all you want from a Num or pad. I'm a huge fan of Nuumed. They have lots of different types for lots of different jobs.

 

[Madasmaz]

Thanks for that...endurance riders at the yard also agree. No problem with any of them altering fit of saddle its treeless, but has caused some issues

 

[kerilli]

speaking to Master Saddler about the Pliance pressure testing system recently, and Prolite beats sheepskin hands down... i'm not sure which insulates more though, of the two, would like to know.
i have lots of very nice second hand sheepskin numnahs looking for a nice home now, anyway!

 

[Tia]

I agree with you YL. I ride western mainly, and instead of using all the pads you can get and none, not even the expensive gel ones, which I have, are anywhere near as good as sheepskin. I use two lambskins (raw) sewn together and they do everything I could ever wish for.

When I ride English, I also use sheepskin - as another poster, I use Nuumed sheepskin numnahs. I love sheepskin and it works for my horses.