Most people think of these two as twins… but they are more like cousins.
“Merino”is the name most people recognize when they think of premium wool. It is known for being fine, soft, and comfortable. Rambouillet carries many of those same qualities, but it has its own story and its own strengths.
Rambouillet sheep came from Spanish Merino bloodlines, but over time they became something distinct. The breed was developed in France in 1786, after King Louis XVI purchased more than 300 Spanish Merino sheep from King Charles III of Spain. Those sheep were placed at the Bergerie Royale in Rambouillet, France, where they were carefully bred and developed over generations.
The goal was not simply to keep the Merino sheep exactly as they were. The goal was to build on the qualities that made Merino wool valuable while creating sheep with more size, resilience, and wool that could hold up.
That is where Rambouillet begins to separate itself.
Like Merino, Rambouillet wool is also soft, but it is especially valued for its strength, density, and ability to recover.
These are the quality’s we look for in our saddle pads.
It has to manage heat, move moisture, handle pressure, and keep its shape through repeated use.
By the 19th century, Rambouillet sheep had become much larger than their Spanish Merino ancestors. Ewes could reach up to 200 pounds, while rams could reach up to 300 pounds. Their wool also developed a longer staple length, often exceeding three inches.
That added size and fibre length helped create wool with more density, durability, and recovery.
Merino may be the wool most people know first, but Rambouillet is the wool worth understanding when it comes to your saddle pads.