sheepskin... only suitable for winter use?

[all about Romeo]

I am a big fan of sheepskin... I have sheepskin lined boots (including over reach) and a sheepskin back pad, however my non horsey partner recently asked me if it was safe to use sheepskin in the summer and said he was surprised it didn't cause my horses tendons and back muscles to over heat...
Which concerned me somewhat so I tried to Google if this could actually be a problem and could not find an answer... needless to say I have not used any sheepskin on him during warm weather since!

Could someone please tell me for sure if it is safe to use sheepskin in warm weather or could I be causing my horse problems and need to invest in some gel for the summer months...?

 

[milliepops]

I really don't think that gel pads would be any cooler than sheepskin on a horse's back. I use my sheepskin numnahs all year round, they wick brilliantly and then I just hose off & hang out to dry if they get too grimy between 'proper' washes.

 

[Holzdweaver]

Well... The sheep still have theirs on and they have been fine in this hot weather

On a more serious note, i have a half pad on all year round on my boy (after he has build up the back muscle with the suber pad), as well as sheepskin lined boots and it hasnt done him any harm so far, in fact the sheepskin has wicking properties so hes not uncomfortable with it on

 

[Allie5]

"Real" sheepskin is a natural product which wicks away sweat in the summer and traps heat in the winter. As long as its not synthetics posing as sheepskin you should be fine. My son is nearly 5 and has slept every night of his life on a real sheepskin from Norway (he's half Norwegian and the sheepskin is normal there). He's never been cold or too hot.

 

[Copperpot]

I use my real sheepskin numnah all year round.

I would love to sleep on deep sheepskin, would be soooo comfy!!!

 

[touchstone]

I was always taught that sheepskin was useful for summer use because of its wicking properties and also because the horse's summer coat is thinner it can help to prevent any rubs. Must say though I prefer the coolex(?) lining on the prolite numnah for keeping the back cool.

 

[xxcharlottexx]

I had the physio up last week and she asked what saddle cloth/ numnah I was using. I said I was using a thin one with the weather being warm so it wasn't as hot on him and she advised that whatever the weather to use a sheepskin/wooly type numnah to pad him out as he is a sensitive soul bless him. As long as they are sponged down/cooled off properly after being ridden I cant see it being a problem
As others have said natural materials will be just as breathable if not more so than synthetics.

 

[Mike007]

In hot weather I ride without any sort of pad or numnah/saddlecloth. Allowing the air to circulate throgh the gullet helps cool the back .It makes a huge difference .Saddlecloths just keep the saddle clean. If the saddle fits properly ,you dont need one and if it doesnt, a saddle cloth isnt going to put matters right.

 

[all about Romeo]

I had the physio up last week and she asked what saddle cloth/ numnah I was using. I said I was using a thin one with the weather being warm so it wasn't as hot on him and she advised that whatever the weather to use a sheepskin/wooly type numnah to pad him out as he is a sensitive soul bless him. As long as they are sponged down/cooled off properly after being ridden I cant see it being a problem
As others have said natural materials will be just as breathable if not more so than synthetics.

Thank you that is very helpful to know! I always use a numnah under the back pad aswell and being a TB he is very sensitive like yours so I like to have a good bit of padding under his saddle.

 

[all about Romeo]

In hot weather I ride without any sort of pad or numnah/saddlecloth. Allowing the air to circulate throgh the gullet helps cool the back .It makes a huge difference .Saddlecloths just keep the saddle clean. If the saddle fits properly ,you dont need one and if it doesnt, a saddle cloth isnt going to put matters right.

Sorry but I don't agree with this at all... Yes they do keep the saddle clean but they are also wicking sweat away and I would rather have the saddle moving against the numnah then rubbing my horses back.

 

[Mike007]

Sorry but I don't agree with this at all... Yes they do keep the saddle clean but they are also wicking sweat away and I would rather have the saddle moving against the numnah then rubbing my horses back.

What sweat. The point is that they hardly sweat at all.All those areas that rub , air can get in to cool them. Saddlecloths are meerly a fashion. You wouldnt have seen many 50 years ago.

 

[all about Romeo]

What sweat. The point is that they hardly sweat at all.All those areas that rub , air can get in to cool them. Saddlecloths are meerly a fashion. You wouldnt have seen many 50 years ago.

Your horse doesn't sweat? saddlecloths were invented for a reason...
Alot of horse tack has improved in 50 years to make our horses more comfortable

 

[Mike007]

Your horse doesn't sweat? saddlecloths were invented for a reason...
Alot of horse tack has improved in 50 years to make our horses more comfortable

My horses over the years have always benefited in very hot weather ,from having no saddlecloth. With a saddlecloth, the whole area covered could be dripping with sweat, Without, just the areas where the saddle makes continuous contact. Yes , saddlecloths were invented for a reason, to display team logo,s etc. Otherwise the would simply follow the shape of the saddle. Incidentaly I am not at all convinced that modern saddles are better than their older counterparts. While saddle fitting ,I believe, has improved generaly. I think design has taken a number of retrograde steps.

 

[all about Romeo]

My horses over the years have always benefited in very hot weather ,from having no saddlecloth. With a saddlecloth, the whole area covered could be dripping with sweat, Without, just the areas where the saddle makes continuous contact. Yes , saddlecloths were invented for a reason, to display team logo,s etc. Otherwise the would simply follow the shape of the saddle. Incidentaly I am not at all convinced that modern saddles are better than their older counterparts. While saddle fitting ,I believe, has improved generaly. I think design has taken a number of retrograde steps.

I think if I didn't put a numnah on my TB he would thank me by launching me into outer space!! His numnah has never been dripping with sweat? I think some modern saddles are much more comfortable then they used to be.
I could never happily ride any horse without a numnah and usually a back pad aswell.

 

[Capriole]

In hot weather I ride without any sort of pad or numnah/saddlecloth. Allowing the air to circulate throgh the gullet helps cool the back .It makes a huge difference .Saddlecloths just keep the saddle clean. If the saddle fits properly ,you dont need one and if it doesnt, a saddle cloth isnt going to put matters right.

Completely agree with you.

I use one more to keep the saddle clean as its easier to bung in the wash and my saddle has some velcro bits on the underneath to adjust the fit and I want to keep hair off it.

Sheepskin, I think is good all year round, lot of time for a nice sheepskin. Not a fan of faux sheepskin though.

 

[Mike007]

I think if I didn't put a numnah on my TB he would thank me by launching me into outer space!! His numnah has never been dripping with sweat? I think some modern saddles are much more comfortable then they used to be.
I could never happily ride any horse without a numnah and usually a back pad aswell.

My current saddle was designed to my specification, particularly with pressure in mind . It spreads the load evenly and comfortably on the horses back. (also it seems to fit all big Irish horses, somthing that german saddles completely fail to do)I do not need a back pad (why would one need a back pad if the saddle fits properly?)I would agree that a numnah is a lot better than a saddlecloth , and I do use one normaly, but in hot weather the plusses outweigh the minuses.

 

[Natch]

We have all but forgotten the days of no numnah. I remember show days how beat the sweat patch was.

 

[Natch]

Neat, even!

 

[Mike007]

Neat, even!

Yes but we did ride dinosaurs in those days

 

[all about Romeo]

My current saddle was designed to my specification, particularly with pressure in mind . It spreads the load evenly and comfortably on the horses back. (also it seems to fit all big Irish horses, somthing that german saddles completely fail to do)I do not need a back pad (why would one need a back pad if the saddle fits properly?)I would agree that a numnah is a lot better than a saddlecloth , and I do use one normaly, but in hot weather the plusses outweigh the minuses.

That sounds nice back pad is for added comfort... (I also have as much tack padded as possible aswell, bridle, head-collars ect) not because they don't fit properly but because I believe it is more comfortable for my sensitive skinned horse

 

[mandwhy]

Apparently the way the sheepskin is curly and springy in all directions makes it much better when it comes to rubbing as well as it doesn't mess about with the hairs (as well as being a naturally wicking material), the same with a smooth leather underside of a saddle, so I think ideally it's sheepskin or leather but I like a numnah with just sheepskin at the top and normal cotton underneath the sides I would have no problem with riding with nothing under the saddle and think it probably is better for a lot of horses!

 

[Mike007]

That sounds nice back pad is for added comfort... (I also have as much tack padded as possible aswell, bridle, head-collars ect) not because they don't fit properly but because I believe it is more comfortable for my sensitive skinned horse

The point about back pads and comfort is that if the saddle is correctly padded it will spread the load over as wide an area as is possible and by virtue of this ,be as comfortable as possible. A pad cannot in any way improve on this. It can only detract .It is obvious to me that you are a thinking , and considerate horse owner. The mere fact that you are asking these questions proves it. Dont just accept the current "wisdom" . Think it through and try other ideas.

 

[all about Romeo]

The point about back pads and comfort is that if the saddle is correctly padded it will spread the load over as wide an area as is possible and by virtue of this ,be as comfortable as possible. A pad cannot in any way improve on this. It can only detract .It is obvious to me that you are a thinking , and considerate horse owner. The mere fact that you are asking these questions proves it. Dont just accept the current "wisdom" . Think it through and try other ideas.

You are completely right and the pad is only because I want my horse to be as comfortable as possible, I also think it is useful as my horse changes shape (getting fitter/slightly wider in the summer ect) to keep the saddle as best fitting as possible.
Thank you, my horses comfort and protection (I always use full set of boots aswell) is of the upper most importance to me.
Thank you for your advice... I have taken notice and will not just "follow the crowd" but do what I feel is best for my horse and myself.

 

[sbloom]

Flcoking or foam panels can only absorb so much concussion - for most horses they absorb enough, but for sensitive horses and those with muscle damage sheepskin provides more concussion absorption as well as wicking sweat. Gel is MCUH less breathable and old fashioned true gel pads had to effectively be in a plastic bag - stick with your sheepskin!

Thin numnahs are the best thing to use for your saddle - we started using them when we realised that sweat getting into the panel will harden it and shorten its life. That soft leather and flock or foam is much better sweat free.

 

[all about Romeo]

Flcoking or foam panels can only absorb so much concussion - for most horses they absorb enough, but for sensitive horses and those with muscle damage sheepskin provides more concussion absorption as well as wicking sweat. Gel is MCUH less breathable and old fashioned true gel pads had to effectively be in a plastic bag - stick with your sheepskin!

Thin numnahs are the best thing to use for your saddle - we started using them when we realised that sweat getting into the panel will harden it and shorten its life. That soft leather and flock or foam is much better sweat free.

Thank you that is very handy to know
Of course the salt in the sweat will end up rotting the stitching on your saddle also... unless of course its synthetic then it will just be hairy!!

 

[Puppy]

I use a bartl vented sheepskin numnah, like this:

http://www.tacksales.co.uk/bartl-vented-numnah.html?MMCF_Google_Base_Feed3

 

[all about Romeo]

I use a bartl vented sheepskin numnah, like this:

http://www.tacksales.co.uk/bartl-vented-numnah.html?MMCF_Google_Base_Feed3

very nice! thank you

 

[Maiko]

Whilst I would disagree with Mike007's thoughts in regard to saddle cloths etc, and 'nothing' under the saddle being 'best', what I WOULD agree with is that saddle design seems to have lost it's way these days. One of the simplest designs on a saddle has been around for many years, and it's the Owen panel. It distributes weight very evenly over the horses back, it is a soft broad surface, and is incredibly easy to flock as it can be totally removed from the tree part of the saddle, allowing the saddler to get a really smooth finish.

I have three saddles with Owen panels, and whilst they all have adjustable trees (NOT gullet plates!!!) they seem to fit everything they are put on, and have been incredibly useful for horses who have had previous back issues caused by ghastly modern saddles, allowing the wasted muscle to re-develop.

I wish more manufacturers would re-discover the benefits of the Owen panel, the only people I can think of who currently make new saddles using this design are the likes of Nick Dolman, Barry Swain etc.

 

[sbloom]

Many regular flocked panels are totally unstitchable, it's just a very lengthy job so seldom done. I always drop the rear panel to adjust flock though. So far, though we specialise in fitting wide and flat horses, we've not found a widescale need for a half panel, but we have just introduced one for our pony saddles, and are finding it works well on the really awkward downhill shapes like Dartie hill ponies, so they do have their place.