Couple of questions re sweaty horse.

[Toffee44]

So for the first time in three years I have a fairly fit horse (happy doing 2.5hrs trot and canter work out hacking with energy still at the end).

However due to the time of year she needs a clip now as coming back dripping even with 30-45min just walking on long rein.

So couple of stupid questions I should know the answer to......


She is getting really sweaty under her numnah at the moment as I. Needing washing after every ride. Can I get away with just a half pad? And what type should I be looking for as her saddle fits at the moment so don't want a massive heavily padded one.

Should I be adding salt into her feed?? (She's currently on baileys low cal and oats)

When clipping mani best taking a saddle patch off or leaving on?

 

[khalswitz]

I would keep using a numnah - otherwise all that sweat ends up on your saddle instead. Better washing the numnahs!

You can add salt in the feed, personally I don't as there's salt in my balancer, but it's up to you.

Depends on how cold she'll be. If having a bib/chase/trace will cool her down enough that she doesn't sweat so much under the saddle, ten you've got hair over the back to keep her warm. I always start with a lesser clip and then if still sweating just clip more - you can't ad hair back on but can always clip more.

 

[whisp&willow]

is she going to be field or stable kept? When clipping mine, she gets a blanket clip (and is field kept but a hardy beast with field shelter and good quality rug) she could do with less of a clip, but her neck sweats up even walking round the village so whole neck needs to come off!

I feed salt all year round, you could add salt to feed or give a salt lick.

personally I wouldn't be fussed about sweating under numnah- I just use a thin numnah, or a sheepskin (numnah not half pad) and towel down before rugging back up. I wouldn't want to clip saddle patch, but I know many do without issue. Do whatever you think is best.

 

[Jaycee]

If you're thinking of clipping her you probably won't need to go to the exspense of buying a new numnah as she won't sweat so much. If you do want to buy her one get one the same as you already have especially as you say her saddle fits using the current one.

When I used to clip my old hunter I used to take everything off for the first clip then for subsequent clips left the legs on and a lozenge shape as a saddle patch.

 

[Toffee44]

When I used to clip my old hunter I used to take everything off for the first clip then for subsequent clips left the legs on and a lozenge shape as a saddle patch.

This is what I do though leave legs on. Then just gets a low tracer for rest of winter. Depends how often I get out hunting as well this year to what I end up doing.

She will be out until weather turns or clocks depends what happens first then in at night though last few nights had a few tantrums turning back out at night after riding thinks she wants to stay in haha.

She's a welsh D cross so very good doer!!!!! Not rugged yet unless cold and wet. Obv will be once clipped!

 

[Toby_Zaphod]

Our horses remain in work throughout the winter, are out in the day & stables at night. We clip all off except the legs & they are rugged well. I've never really understood about leaving a saddle pad on their backs, that's where they get the sweatiest so get trid of it. We then use a thin numnah to kep the saddle clean when riding.