Numnah recommendations please

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sonjafoers

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I have always used sheepskin numnahs but am finding it a struggle to keep washing & drying them especially when they get so sweaty so am looking to change.

I spoke to my saddler about using a good quality cotton one but he wasn't keen on the idea saying sheepskin is best . One of my horses has a very sensitive back both in terms of getting sore in it through work & also her skin is very sensitive and easily rubbed (she is coloured & white under the saddle with pink skin) so I was thinking of a quality cotton one perhaps with a Prolite pad for her. If she gets sweaty in a sheepskin & I allow it to dry and use it again even the dry sweat can cause her irritation.

Can anyone recommend a decent, quality alternative to the sheepskin please?
 
My girl is white with pink skin. My favourite pad is a keiffer one, its thicker than the usual ones (insofar it doesn't fold into quarters easily) but it does wick away sweat and washes up like new. I also have some dressage squares from Inch's saddlery and some aerborn saddle cloths too. I can honestly say I have never ever had a problem with any of them.

I think keeping them clean is the main reason, I generally use them 3 times in between washes unless they get drenched in sweat, then every time.
 
Have you tried the NuuMed half wool ones? They are excellent and may not be as warm as what you currently use. I use the hi-wither ones and love them and if you have to wash them they seem to dry quickly - overnight in my case.
 
My saddler mentioned the Nuumed one actually because mine are Mattes Platinum so quite thick & take days to dry - do the Nuumed ones come fully lined does anyone know?

Also the HKM look good - thank you for the link.
 
Nuumed do a 5oz wool half lined which is lovely and light. My AQHA mare gets rubbed by eveything, yet these suit her very well, wash in the machine on a wool cycle and dry in half a day. Have tried heavier ones and they have been no good at all - I also think they make saddles roll on anything a bit round!
 
another vote for nuumed high whither, half lined. They do them in diff weights (5oz and 9oz come to mind), they are fab! Not so big that they mess up the fit of the saddle, but enough cover to protect sensitive backs. Because it is lambs wool woven onto a cotton backing you should find it more breathable, less sweaty and quicker to dry than the other brands which use the actual sheepskin. (also the happy little sheeps get to continue their life as they just take the wool, much nicer!)
 
I always use Mattes as they use don't move, wash really well, are comfortable on the horses back, don't slip down onto the withers and they use British wool so helps our farmers!
 
Nuumed too. I use them few times if not sweaty then wash. They dry quickly & they don't sweat a huge amount. I hunt & show in ours. Tho I show use a TB with a Prolite pad too - tho thinking of it - this could be making my saddle narrower than it shoudl be?? Not had any real probs - just usual tight muscles now & then. I use one of the hand held massage pads sometimes. My oesteopath says its fine - use my hands too!
Only prob I have noticed with the Nuumed is after lots of washing the edges go a bit lumpy & hard - though I couldn't tell you hwo long I have had them!! Anyone else have that prob - I wash them in mashine at 40degrees - anyone recommend any detergent or different temp? thanks
 
Thanks everyone, I am going to try a NuuMed light weight one & see how it goes. Ironhorse I think you have a good point - I'm always moaning about my saddle rolling about on my other horse who is a cob x and quite round, perhaps the thickness of the numnah isn't helping the problem.
 
I actually find the wool on the nuumed ones quite coarse. I like the stephens ones (they arent as bulky) and the cottage craft ones are very thin so dont overheat. I dont find the mattes ones particularly thick though, not like Bartl. I also have a JW one that is really nice and soft but I found it bulky.

The christ ones are super soft as well and arent as bulky but expensive.
 
If you look on NuuMed's web site it gives a lot of good info on there and shows the designs and in what saddle to fit, eg. dressage, GP, working hunter etc. They do their own NuuWash which is purpose made for washing them in and its soap based so is really gentle with the numnahs. Ive never had a problem using it, its about £4.99 for a litre and lasts forever. You can get it from most tack shops I would guess.
 
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