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Regular
Posts: 78
| I am looking at getting a Professional's Choice wool cinch. Of those who have tried them who can give me some info regarding the differences they have noticed or heard about regarding the Merino wool one and the Shearling. I am planning to order one ASAP and just saw there are two different ones. I have always used the mohair or alpaca cinches but have a mare who I believe would do better with the wool ones. She is a tad cinchy and kind of a diva haha! |
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 Accident Prone
Posts: 22277
  
Location: 100 miles from Nowhere, AR | The shearling is softer when it's clean, but the merino wool doesn't pack and crust as bad so doesn't need washing as often. |
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 Expert
Posts: 2457
| So the only difference is the diameter of the individual fibers. Both are wool. (UNLESS, it says specifically that the shearling is synthetic, then its crap and don't buy it).
Marino's are super fine fleeced sheep and will be super soft. Even softer than the mohair or alpaca.
Shearling fleece can be almost any breed of sheep, so sometimes they will not be as soft as the Marino, but will be softer than the alpaca and the mohair cinches.
Both are natural fibers, and when used/taken care of properly, they will not gall a horse.
I ride in a Marino and love it.
Hope this helps some! |
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Regular
Posts: 78
| Thanks! Yall were a great help got one on the way today!!!  |
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  More bootie than waist!
Posts: 18425
Location: Riding Crackhead. | I prefer the shearling. WHen I'm done riding my cinch gets hooked up in the keeper to keep the shearling out of the dirt. When I ride the next day the shearling is dry and I take a brush or rubber curry and fluff it up before I saddle up. |
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 "Spaz-tacular"!!
Posts: 20309
Location: Bennett, CO | Shearling is first fleece off a sheep.. any breed....
Merino is a breed of wool sheep, and is for the most part a finer fleeced animal
The Shearling (if the fibers are long enough stapled) should be the longer wearing girth... Merino fibers are fine, and not as sturdy, but have a higher comfort factor.
Either Shearling or Merino will return to shape and provide a longer wearing girth than Alpaca, as alpaca fiber has no memory.. meaning it will continue to stretch after each use. |
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More bootie than waist!
Posts: 18425
Location: Riding Crackhead. | gotothewhip - 2014-09-23 2:44 PM Shearling is first fleece off a sheep.. any breed....
Merino is a breed of wool sheep, and is for the most part a finer fleeced animal
The Shearling (if the fibers are long enough stapled) should be the longer wearing girth... Merino fibers are fine, and not as sturdy, but have a higher comfort factor.
Either Shearling or Merino will return to shape and provide a longer wearing girth than Alpaca, as alpaca fiber has no memory.. meaning it will continue to stretch after each use.
Great advice from an expert. I used to use Alpaca cinches but they grew. I now keep one as a spare in my trailer. My daughter had a Merino wool cinch on her roping saddle but as to your explanation its much shorter fibers and not near as soft as my shearling cinches. |
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 929
| The PC Shearling cinch is on a natural hide backing which can be more delicate to things like sweat, hosing off, etc. I have found that they do not last as long as the Merino- which is on a woven backing and is more durable.
The shearling ones seem to be softer, but they also seem to allow more rolling if your horse is round and your saddle has a tendency towards sliding in the first place. I find the Merinos work just fine and will hold up longer. (I hose mine off every 1-3 months.) If you "curry" them with your fingers after a ride the sweat breaks up nicely and they don't get as crusty. |
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