As with all of your high value tack items, with appropriate care, the Fleeceworks sheepskin saddle pad products and accessories will perform well for many years. As with all natural sheepskin and/or leather products, excessive exposure to sun or water will reduce their natural elasticity and resiliency, which is key for the product performance you depend on.

• Following daily or event use, the products should be air-dried and any pads with inserts should have the inserts removed to allow them to properly dry as well. Again avoid direct exposure to sunlight that may break down the natural wool oils and leather tannins.
• Daily brushing. When almost dry, a light brushing of the wool areas with is recommended to remove any soil. The natural oils in the hair fibers will normally release dirt particles with light brushing.
• Dry cleaning when sweat staining, or excessive soiling occurs will prolong the life of the pad.
• Occasional washing when sweat staining or excessive soiling occurs

1. Remove all inserts, fully adhere the Velcro surfaces to each other (free Velcro hook surfaces may fill with wool fibers). Inserts should be thoroughly rinsed clean in clear water, and then air dried.

2. Wash only one or two pads at a time,in a front loading washer. Cold water wash, delicate or gentle cycle only.

3. Use only Leather Therapy® Laundry Solution and the Leather Therapy® Rinse & Dressing. http://www.leathertherapy.com/categories/Equestrian-Products/

a. Do not use any kind of normal laundry detergent or fabric softners as these will remove the natural wool oils and break down the leather tannins and respective leather oils.

b. Also do not use baby or pet shampoos, as delicate as they may be, they are destructive to your sheepskin and wool products.

4. When washing is complete, air dry in a well ventilated area, avoiding any direct sunlight.

5. Drying with a hair dryer or in a tumble laundry dryer will dry the product too quickly, inducing damage and will void your warranty!

6. Frequent washing will shorten the longevity of product

• Storage. Just store as you would your saddle and other valued leather tack products. Use of a tack trunk is OK for a few days, but any natural fiber or leather product is best stored in a well ventilated dry location, and certainly away from heater vents or direct flame.
• Normal wear and color fading is to be expected, and just as with any natural fiber product will depend on how harsh an environment they are exposed to and how frequently. Sunlight will cause some fading of the darker colors whether sheepskin or wool pads. Our natural pelt selections will fade less as these are the natural sheep colors and not dyes. On dyed products there may be some color transfer experienced onto lighter color horses especially during high sweat producing rides.

Have a good ride with your performance Fleeceworks products. Please contact us for advice, issues or product suggestions through our web site at http://www.fleeceworks.com/ ! Look for us on Facebook & Twitter.