Sheepskin Numnas - benefits?

Serephin

Serephin

Well-Known Member
Joined
5 April 2007
Messages
2,152
Visit site
I have a few numpty questions about sheepskin numnas......

I have been pondering about sheepskin numnas and I am not sure what the benefits are compared to a normal numna - I want my boy to be comfy, he is a broad backed cob - how does a sheepskin numna improve comfort? Why are there half numnas and full ones, which type is better?

is it worth investing in one? and if so, full or half numna?

sorry for being thick - any advice/info is much appreciated!

Hot chocs for everyone!
 
I like sheepskin / wool numnahs as they seem to breath with the horse, so have used them for long hunting days, when they can get fairly sweaty over a long period.
They can also be quite stable on a broad backed cob, but I would warn that I have bought one or two numnahs which were very narrow in the "seat", ie not wide enough to more than cover the saddle area.
Like everything.. it usually pays to buy a slightly more expensive one, as the quality and longlevity of the sheepskin is better, although I have got mine second hand off ebay for great price.
I usually have a full numnah, which is half lined in sheepskin / wool...My reasoning is that the cushoning bit is then in the right places, but you still have only a thin layer of cotton numnah where could want contact with your legs.
A v important factor is that if they are too thick they could change the fit of your saddle, so you should bear this in mind when deciding whether to get one
 
I hunt in one & believe they're used a lot in endurance.

Contrary to what one may think, they are good for riding on for long periods because the horse doesn't get too hot as they're a natural material & the wool breathes.

I have a full wool nuumed one.
 
i also have the full wool nuumed one, and really rate it.

everyone on my yard uses it.

it doesn't make them too hot, it helps spread the weight evenly, it helps stop pressure points, and it's good for horses that have been out of work whilst they build up again.

(before anyone says anything... it's always better to have a saddler out to check saddle)
 
I have a matte full sheepskin numnah but have rarely used it, i think it is too thick and makes saddle a bit tight. I used it for a bit as she had a bit of muscle wastage behind the withers.
 
I use full sheepskin numnahs under both my dressage and GP saddles. My boy is a little sensitive in his back and I have found (with the agreement of my saddler and physio) that sheepskin is the most comfortable for him. I also like the way it wicks the moisture away from him and keeps him comfortable.
 
I have the Lemieux sheepskin numnah and a half pad, I use the numnah for a delicate flower of a dumblood as anything else against his skin under saddle creates a sweat rash:eek:
I use the half pad on a broad backed IDx (have saddle fitted accordingly) to raise the seat away from her back thus giving me a bit of relief from tearing my hips apart (she is VAST), the sheepskin also helps with condition of her skin, as she is a typical white one - everything causes allergic reaction in her...
 
Check with your saddler before using a sheepskin numnah, I really like them but have been told by my saddler to use thin numnahs otherwise the saddles will pinch and not fit correctly.
 
So many saddlers say different things about numnahs. To be honest, I think its personal choice with all of them.

My current saddler, who is very highly recommended (thank god - have been through all the awful ones in the South West!!) fits my saddles to both boys with sheepskin. Happy has a Mattes correctional numnah with half sheepskin. He has correctional numnah because when he gets hunting fit, he gets hollows in his withers and so I just put some shims in then. Bog has a full nuumed one all the time because he is sensitive skinned. Both horses seem very happy with them. I'd rather have a sheepskin one as opposed to a thin one because of the cushioning effect and the way they wick sweat away. If you are hunting all day you need something like that on sensitive horses.
 
thanks for all the replies - a lot to think about - I shall continue my pondering and see what my saddler says (if we can ever get an appointment agreed!).
 
I found the same issues with regards to fitting a thick sheepskin under the saddle (my cat has a very nice sheepskin bed now!).

I found a Nuumed one which has a thin layer of sheepskin over the back fixed to a thin cotton numnah. It gives my TB support and a breathable pad over his back but doesn't affect saddle fitting.
 
i tried an origonal style nuumed one (the quite thick ones) and it altered the fit of the saddle too much... i'd be tempted to try the new thinner ones with just thin wool under the cotton part...

but tbh my saddler said use a thin cotton numnah as that's what he fits my saddle for - if i want to use a woll one then i need to get saddles refitted to it...

benefit though - you get to look like everyone else lol they are def in fashion at the mo ;)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top