Care of Sheepskin items?

[esdressage]

I just ordered a Mattes Sheepskin Girth for my horse, and completely spaced adding the Mattes Liquid Melp (cleaner) to the order.

Now I'm wondering, is it really necessary anyway? Will other products or care work just as well? Obviously I want to take good care of the girth…

How do you care for sheepskin tack and items?

[Allagash's mom]

the Melp stuff definitely helps. you can get it (with cheap shipping) from VTO Saddlery I believe. Otherwise, Woolite is a good choice.

[Foxhound]

You can use Melp, or you can use Pepede or Leather Therapy (the Wash, not the tack cleaner), or even Woolite. I find all the soaps are pretty much the same. I do like the Leather Therapy Rinse, though, no matter what soap I use. Use it in place of fabric softener. It will condition the hide and make the fleece fluffy.
After washing, I let things air dry (usually in front of a fan), then brush the fleece with one of those little wire pet brushes.

[esdressage]

Thanks for the responses already! Coth is always so helpful…

Glad to know Woolite works (I have that already!) and thanks for the VTO Saddlery heads-up. I just looked on their site and you're right, they have it and the shipping is great! It's duly bookmarked :)

[WB Mom]

I have used both Woolite and Leather Therapy and LT works much better. The Woolite tends to dry things out more, don't know exactly why. I would go with the LT.
You shouldn't have to wash it that much if you keep your horse reasonably clean and brush it out well with a soft brush after each ride.
LOVE sheepskin, IMHO it is absolutely the best thing you can put next to a horse!

[esdressage]

Thanks, WB Mom. I'm pretty excited about the girth. It's this one (http://www.equestriancollections.com/product.asp?groupcode=WE03750) - my mare gets rubs so easily that I decided to bite the bullet and get her a very nice girth! I'm sure it will stay pretty clean though. I have a sheepskin cover I've used and just brushing it off seems to work well (my mare stays pretty clean), but I want to take especially good care of the girth so it lasts.

I'll look for the Leather Therapy as well.

[Woodsperson]

I use Woolite or Dreft on my sheepskin

[Beasmom]

I like Leather Therapy, but I recommend Eucalan Wool Wash to everyone with sheepskin or leather-seat breeches. I like it for my silk long johns, too.

[WishIWereRiding]

I've used melp and put the items in the washer on gentle cycle. Then I put them in the dryer on low heat and they fluff up beautifully! never had a problem.

[Beasmom]

I put my sheepskin pads in the dryer for a few minutes on delicate -- but hang them to dry the rest of the way.

[esdressage]

Thanks again for the info! I called and they hadn't shipped the girth yet, so I was able to add a couple of bottles of the Melp. Can't wait till it arrives… :)