Numnah Advice?

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MosMum

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Ok, I need to pick up a numnah for Blue, who's a 15'3" 12 yr old TB ex-racer.

He's been turned out for a year by his owner (he's on loan to me) so is a bit out of condition (too much rib showing and hip points too).

Shall I invest in a super-fluffy numnah to help counter-act the saddle rubbing on bony ribs and back? Or go for a bog-standard sort and just not ride much until he's put on some weight?

Many thanks!
 
Dont know enough about his condition re:riding but any numnah should be bought to compliment the saddle fit, the saddle should fit with that type of numnah. A thick numnah with a saddle fitted with a thin one would alter fit and make saddle too tight etc. What did your saddler recommend?
 
You can't compensate with a saddle that doesn't fit by using a numnah. Horses change shape; lose weight, gain muscle, gain weight, lose muscle, etc all the time - and that's why most saddles don't fit the horse alot of the time - even the ones that have been specially made for them.

Think about getting a treeless until he's back to the shape and weight that you want him to be and then either stick with the treeless or get him a saddle that will fit him most of the time. Second hand treeless saddles can be quite reasonably priced and the amount you will save in vets/physio bills will pay for it quite quickly!
 
Ah, thankyou, have read recently on here about tree-less saddles and thought they got a mighty bad rap! Here's a pic of him to give you an idea of his current shape/weight, although it doesn't really show him as quite as ribby as he looks IRL.

I haven't had a saddler out, I've yet to try him and he's on loan for a month while I try him out before we extend the loan. I don't really want to spend gobs of money on top-line gear in case he's not suitable and needs to go back in 3 weeks. I asked his owner about what he's ridden in prior and been lucky to borrow most of what I need to try him, apart from a numnah.

181811_10150141681282565_752992564_8121965_5716529_n.jpg

Not a great pic, I know, but it shows his ribs better than this one:

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(not me in the pics)
 
Is his ribs are that pronounced even under a fluffy winter coat then I must admit that I would be holding off riding and would be getting a bit more weight on him first.

When you do then come to ride him then I would have a saddler out and get a wool numnah (love the nuumed ones myself) fitted under a saddle so that your boy has some padding that the chunkier ones have naturally! Then when he is a healthy weight you can just use the saddle with a normal thin cotton cloth under.
 
Oh dear - he looks quite poor at the mo. I'd build him up first and poss do some gentle lunging. He is going to change shape so much but your saddler will be able to advise - have a chat before you call him out.
 
When your ready to get one if you do wait til hes put some weight on, the NuuMed ones are the best. Various weights of wool and the hi-wither ones are fab. Good luck with your horse, hope it works out.
 
ThePony said:
Is his ribs are that pronounced even under a fluffy winter coat then I must admit that I would be holding off riding and would be getting a bit more weight on him first.

When you do then come to ride him then I would have a saddler out and get a wool numnah (love the nuumed ones myself) fitted under a saddle so that your boy has some padding that the chunkier ones have naturally! Then when he is a healthy weight you can just use the saddle with a normal thin cotton cloth under.
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Totally agree. I would say that 3 weeks is not nearly long enough for you to make a judgement on this horse. Numnah or no numnah!! If his is this poor you need to get weight and condition on him before he will have the energy and strength to carry you.

Then, after he is half way fit and on decent nosh, you will be able to better judge his moods/temperament. When he is fit and well fed, you are more likely to see the true temperament of him. (Although he looks a kind sort in the photos, if that is any help!:))

Are you in a position to try him for 4/6 months?
 
Oh, yes, I can have him permenantly assuming he doesn't go lame etc, in which case she wants him back to retire him. Apart from that, she isn't looking to have him back at all. I could potentially ask about a longer trial period but really don't want to leave her feeling like she's being jerked around as he really is such a lovely boy, with great manners :)

I have time, I can let him eat himself silly for now and try him later, and thanks for the nuumed advice for later, too x
 
Plus:
"(too much rib showing and hip points too).

Shall I invest in a super-fluffy numnah to help counter-act the saddle rubbing on bony ribs and back? Or go for a bog-standard sort and just not ride much until he's put on some weight?"

No.
 
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