| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| Arachnid |
Posted - 24 Jan 2011 : 11:24:00 AM
Does anyone use these to good effect? Can anyone recommend a make? Someone very kindly gave me a gel pad to use but it pulls across the withers so I need something with a cut back. I am hoping to reduce the friction burns in the cantle area which are causing concern at the minute. Saddler assures me that saddle fits by the way. Spider has a very exaggerated movement so very hard to stop saddle moving at the back and of course he has a fine coat so it just gets rubbed away. Back physio says he is a bit tight in that area but nothing to cause particular concern.
I have been lining the numnahs with satin, but even this isnt working at the minute.
Thanks for reading |
| 13 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| pinkvboots |
Posted - 31 Jan 2011 : 2:48:01 PM
Have your tried a Limpet pad this would stop the saddle moving so no rubbing. Arabi has bare shoulders and his had a bib on all winter. |
| Arachnid |
Posted - 27 Jan 2011 : 09:20:50 AM
Sadly it is the Nu Med ones I am sewing satin into... They are the best shape over the withers. Just spoke to saddler who said it was probably 'time of year' but is going to pop along and check to see if he can make any suggestions.
Linda - I stand corrected. My mother should have been MUCH firmer. Dont think she will be too jazzed about making covers for numnahs tho... |
| Claire |
Posted - 26 Jan 2011 : 10:16:32 PM
My numnah is a griffin high wither (not that mirshid has high withers- it came as part of the saddle system) I do find grooming it with a cat brush to get flattened down bits of the sheepskin puffed up so to speak and get hair out helps plus washing in white vinegar- apparently restores pH balance of wool
Arachnid I was impressed with the sewing the satin on the numnah, my sewing skills are not existant- thing a cover would be beyond me but may ask mother inlaw to be nicely as she has a sewing machine!! |
| Callisto |
Posted - 26 Jan 2011 : 7:40:06 PM
I use Nu-med too - and they have been excellent for us, and they last extremely well - my two green 'competing' ones are at least 12 years old. I do use the Nu-med wash with them. I have pure sheepskin as well and I prefer the Nu-med, and keep them for longer distances, competitions etc.
ETA Do you have a non-horsey relative (Mum. Aunt etc.) with a sewing machine who could run you up some satin covers? My horsey mother made us learn to knit, sew, embroider, reupholster etc. as children (mainly because she couldn't bear to see us not doing something 'constructive' in the evenings), can't say I use the knowledge much, but I can do it if I have to. On the other hand my sister makes curtains professionally and alters all her own clothes...probably the exception that proves the rule |
| Zan |
Posted - 26 Jan 2011 : 6:11:13 PM
Have you tried a Nu-Med numnah? I had problems with my last Arab till I started using half wool, high wither ( though he didn't have high withers--they are just a good shape to fit in the gullet) numnahs. I use them for my current Arab too. Much better than actual sheepskin imo. |
| Arachnid |
Posted - 26 Jan 2011 : 4:59:14 PM
Linda you are quite right of course but you are overestimating my needlework skills, in fact I thought that as skills go, horseriding and needlework are mutually exclusive. |
| Callisto |
Posted - 25 Jan 2011 : 11:32:27 AM
Would it work if you made a couple satin numnah cases and slipped the numnah in and out? Just thought they might last longer and you would be able to wash them, and not spend so many evenings stiching satin onto numnahs...
Must say I didn't really like the two different gel pads I tried, but that was about 12 years ago - they might be a lot better now. |
| Arachnid |
Posted - 25 Jan 2011 : 09:47:34 AM
Claire - I sew satin to the undersides of the numnahs. It doesnt last very long - maybe two weeks, but then it is dirty by then in any case. It is quite time consuming, but a nice thing to do on a winter evening in front of the TV.
Perhaps your gel riser has solved the problem? I would call out the saddler again, but he already thinks I am barking mad and the saddle has been reflocked in the last 6 months. |
| Claire |
Posted - 24 Jan 2011 : 7:54:24 PM
its obviously a strange phemomena! we've got no rubs at all this year, I'm interested in the satin, do you just sew it over bottom surface of the numnah?
I've never tried a gel pad directly on to mirshids back but he does wear a gel riser between the numnah and the saddle (my saddle is a balance and they come with a padding system) I will be interested to know how you get on, I'm not sure the lack of rubbing this year is due to less work or if thats just coincidence! |
| Arachnid |
Posted - 24 Jan 2011 : 6:58:16 PM
Glad its not just my horse. Is the conclusion that I'd be wasting my money then? Sarah - might email you next week and plunder your collection! Thanks so much for the offer. Spider is on saddle number 7 (in 5 years) so I think its him not the saddle at this point.
I tried a gel eze pad too! Pulled out hair as you say...
Claire - Spider sometimes has rubs where my leg touches too but not this year. His shoulders are pretty bare too despite the bib.
I have tried sheepskin and that seems worse than cotton. The cotton has to be completely clean and satin is best of all. Just hadnt really tried a proper gel pad. |
| Claire |
Posted - 24 Jan 2011 : 3:03:04 PM
I'm so relieved to see others have a similar problem!- my boy has in previous years had hair rubbed off around cantle area- never major, no soreness to touch or broken skin. Also sometimes hair is rubbed off where my leg sits- I was horrified but never have my leg on all the time and it doesn't happen with other horses!. Saddle has been checked and as it always happens in winter my instructor and saddle company suggest its due to the winter coat, I use a sheepskin lined numnah as its supplied by the saddle company but thinking about investing in a lambskin pad which is supposed to create less friction- very pricey though!
This year we haven't had the problem though, not sure why so hoping I've inadvertently solved it. Convinced it is due to the fluffy fineness of the coat though. If you find a cure let me know! |
| Misper |
Posted - 24 Jan 2011 : 2:10:10 PM
Hello,
My horse rubs on the cantle area of his back,and having bought him 2 years ago,I spent all last winter fretting about it and trying various solutions,having first checked the saddle fit. Someone then advised me to try a gel-eze pad,which was a disaster as it really pulled the hair out. It seems that my horse has a very brittle winter coat,as the problem goes away as soon as the coat changes. My solution has been to use padded cotton numnahs (rather than sheepskin)in the winter and ignore those patches,provided that the skin is not broken!
Best wishes,
Andrea |
| Pasha |
Posted - 24 Jan 2011 : 1:32:32 PM
Well Pasha's saddle used to slip and move and I tried all sorts - have the Stephens Geleze Pad, Prolite Pad, Prolite Numnah and special non-slip saddlecloths - you are welcome to try any of those, but to be fair, although it fitted as soon as I got a new saddle from him, hey presto, no more problem.
Also, be wary as our little Arabs are very sensitive - I hated using the gel pads as thought it would rip his hair out... let me know if you want to try them - can pop them in the post x |
