Caring for Genuine Fleece
Genuine sheepskin fleece products, such as saddle pads and girth covers, are investments in your horse’s comfort. Here’s how to prolong the life of these items and maintain the luxurious, natural benefits genuine fleece provides your horse.

After each ride, separate your fleece saddle pad from your saddle or your cover from your girth. Shake out the item and brush it to remove dirt and fluff up moist fibers. Some people favor using a stiff dandy brush, while others get good results restoring loft to the fibers by using a fine-tined cat or dog grooming brush.

Hang fleece articles to dry in a location that is out of direct sunlight and away from artificial heat sources. You can even lay it on your covered saddle on its rack, fleece side up.

Wash your genuine fleece items only when necessary and only with a gentle cleanser that is intended for the purpose, such as Mattes Liquid Melp Sheepskin Cleaner or Leather Therapy Laundry Solution. Machine wash the articles in cold water on the gentle cycle, and hang them to dry in a shaded, well-ventilated area. Heat sources such as sunlight or radiators will dry out and stiffen the leather backing, and cause shrinkage.


Summary of Do's & Don'ts:

  • Do wash genuine fleece in cold water.

  • Do use a stiff brush to keep your pad clean and fluffy between washings.

  • Do allow genuine fleece to dry naturally out of direct sunlight and away from heat sources.

  • Don’t wash genuine fleece in conventional laundry detergent.

  • Don’t put genuine fleece in your clothes dryer.

  • Don’t store a damp fleece saddle pad under your saddle between rides.



For more assistance or to request a catalog call 1-800-989-1500. Or, stop by any of our retail stores to speak with a Dover Saddlery product adviser. Visit www.DoverSaddlery.com for a complete store listing and the full product offering.