Saddle pad/Numnah rubbing TB!?

[Ched9310]

Hi All,

I have a premier equine saddle pad & it’s rubbing my lads fur on his back either side of his spine.

We really aren’t doing a lot either!

Can anyone recommend a saddle pad that is anti rubbing?

Thanks!

 

[humblepie]

Mine has had this in the past and this year I’ve used a protectmasta one from Harry Hall. I only just realised the other day no rubs this year. He has still had other rubs which have now all grown out. I have another pad that I can’t remember the make of now and I use that one as well but mainly used the protech one.

 

[Squeak]

Usually those sorts of rubs are worst at this time of year due to the coat changes so if it's only just started happening I'd still use the pad for the rest of the year and just get something to use at this time of year. I find anything sheepskin good.

 

[Melandmary]

I really love the shires performance superfleece saddle pads. They are high whither and wick sweat and wash mu h better than wool.

 

[spotty_pony]

One of mine has this happen to him at this time of year. I spray mane and tail conditioner on the patches which seems to help as it keeps the hair soft and stops the friction.

 

[Griffin]

My mare gets rubs from her girth at this time of the year, we just swap to a different one until her coat has changed and we are back on track.

I know that a lot of people are not fans but I found that poly pads were good with a TB that I rode. Otherwise, I would go for Protech or Le Mieux.

 

[Squeak]

I really love the shires performance superfleece saddle pads. They are high whither and wick sweat and wash mu h better than wool.

My only warning for this is that the new ones have the harder wicking type material now rather than just cotton where there's no supafleece and unfortunately this rubs my girl otherwise I would agree that I'm a huge fan of the supafleece saddle pads.

 

[milliepops]

I read this recently which gives some ideas and explanations.

https://kayhastilowmastersaddler.blogspot.com/2021/03/busting-myths-8-back-rubs-update.html

Interesting she doesn't recommend sheepskin. New coats should be growing in soon which will help.

 

[muddybay]

Could rubs make a horse grumpy or bite if they don't normally?

 

[milliepops]

If the skin is sore then I'd say that could make the horse grumpy, it could be painful.

 

[Melandmary]

My only warning for this is that the new ones have the harder wicking type material now rather than just cotton where there's no supafleece and unfortunately this rubs my girl otherwise I would agree that I'm a huge fan of the supafleece saddle pads.

Oh!, mine is about 3 years old now but I just bought a new one for the little one I'm backing. That's disappointing ?

 

[Louby]

Le Mieux rubbed my mare in the same place. Never had a problem til I tried to join the matchy matchy club lol. Back to good old Sheepskin lined and no problems at all.

 

[Ched9310]

Do you think a suede material would be better than the cotton? It’s one of the pipes edge ones to maybe slightly more stiff ?

It’s only roughed up the fur luckily, no baldness or pink sores!

 

[milliepops]

I think the suede fabric is the worst for causing friction tbh. Make sure you keep them really clean because any grease build up on the binding can make them rub even more.

Lemieux do some with fuzzy borders which are supposed to help the sensitive ones and also some with low friction binding. Tbh I just don't use my LM pads at coat change time, my Eskadron pads are a lot softer and don't seem to cause an issue.

 

[Frano]

I would look at a put wool or sheepskin numnah, cotton is good most modern ones are to synthetic.

 

[scats]

This is the first year I haven’t left a saddle patch when I clipped and, despite being fine all winter, Millie has developed a little pink bald rub patch over the last 2 weeks. No change in saddlecloths or anything so I am putting it down to coat change. I popped her Shires supafleece one on this week. The coat is already growing back on that bald bit.
All 6 horses on our yard are delayed with their coat changing this year, it’s very strange.

 

[AUB]

I wash my saddle cloths after 4 rides, that does help a lot. And then I try to change between different brands with every cloth change so that nothing rubs at exactly the same place more than 4 rides in a row.

 

[Widgeon]

I read this recently which gives some ideas and explanations....New coats should be growing in soon which will help.

This is very reassuring, mine has rubs at the back of his saddle and the saddle has been fitted / re-fitted by two independent saddlers who both agree it fits! The second one said rubs would be down to coat growing out but I was worried anyway. But that blog post makes sounds like it's widespread and has been particularly bad this year - and actually he is still losing the last of his winter coat so it makes sense. He'd still be losing the *start* of his winter coat if it wasn't for me spending hours with a rubber curry comb and a furminator. Summer coat is coming in but it's patchy and messy. Bring on some proper spring weather (and some rain - the grass is still not growing).