When using an exercise sheet...

sj_xc_hannah_

sj_xc_hannah_

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Do you put it over or under your numnah? Or do you not use a numnah at all?

I was thinking of putting one on and go out for a hack, but then I remembered how much effort they usually take to put on as well as adjusting the numnah, especially as my horse doesn't like it if you pull the rug the up her back rather than down.

What do you do?
 
This is such a good question and one i've been meaning to ask for a while!!! I REALLY struggle with exercise sheets! They always seem to wrinkle under the saddle. My horse has really high wither which I don't think helps.

I was thinking about trying to invent one with an inbuilt numnah but just don't have the time!!! Sorry I'm no help whatsoever, but thought knowing you are not alone might be some comfort!!!
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Numnah, quarter sheet, saddle, tuck into gullet, fold up corners, girth up, simple, shouldn't move.

Quarter sheets are different to exercise sheets, shorter and smaller to cover the loins not the entire back end. Pet hate of mine, I really dislike exercise sheets they seem to be merely rugs without fronts, personally I think they cause a lot of drag being that far over the bum and get in the way, especially those that loop onto the girth. I can see they have a use for warming up etc though when you need to get them off without unsaddling, still I can't complain, I sell enough of them, if that's what people want then that's what I'll make.
 
I use mine over a polypad or numnah as this can be washed more frequently than the sheet which is a witney wool one. Also I don't use the girth attachment but fold it up between the girth and saddle flap (one closest to the horse), this is how I was taught to do it when riding racehorses and I have never had one slip or hurt a hurt this way, but have if I just relied on the girth straps.
 
using a whitney exercise rug i use a polypad then the sheet ,fold the corners up to they meet just behind the withers, saddle on top, away you go !!
 
I am in the process of having one made for me (o:. I have just spent time and money getting my mares back sorted and now have to use real sheepskin next to her skin. I have an under saddle hi-viz exercise sheet which fits nicely. Local tack lady and I have re-designed it!. Cutting a hole 6" from front. Cut the hole the length and width of saddle seat only. Cut front 6" along back seam and re-join with velcro strap. Sewing on material from hole onto rear to make a tail flap. Cutting in half and sewing velcro onto tail flap and both sides so I can attach the other half's, of 3 flashing arm bands with LED lights. Sewing 2 plastic dee rings on sides at front to attach a hi-viz breast plate to stop sheet slipping backwards. And there you are, a personalised bespoke wrap around exercise sheet for a lot less than a bought one (o:
 
poppysmum1 said:
I am in the process of having one made for me (o:. I have just spent time and money getting my mares back sorted and now have to use real sheepskin next to her skin. I have an under saddle hi-viz exercise sheet which fits nicely. Local tack lady and I have re-designed it!. Cutting a hole 6" from front. Cut the hole the length and width of saddle seat only. Cut front 6" along back seam and re-join with velcro strap. Sewing on material from hole onto rear to make a tail flap. Cutting in half and sewing velcro onto tail flap and both sides so I can attach the other half's, of 3 flashing arm bands with LED lights. Sewing 2 plastic dee rings on sides at front to attach a hi-viz breast plate to stop sheet slipping backwards. And there you are, a personalised bespoke wrap around exercise sheet for a lot less than a bought one (o:
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This sounds very like the Hi Viz sheet I have just bought - well known brand - trying tonight for first time so will see how we get on
 
LOL Took design from Equisafety wrap around sheets. Arm bands are ones I bought in Aldi for £2.99. Under saddle sheet I grabbed off someone who was clearing out tack box, otherwise she was going to throw it away!. Breast girth was £2 second-hand. I don't think tack lady will charge me more than £5 to do all the alterations (O: To buy new, a sheet can cost anything from £20 to £50
 
I quite like my exercise sheet - the one that goes under the saddle. My wraparound one just flies up in the air in the slightest breeze or slips off sideways. Arab tails are pretty rubbish at anchoring rugs down with a fillet string.
 
The only one I've found not to slip is the wrap around type and fix them under the saddle flaps, I can't have it wrapped around me as they always feel like I'm being pulled backwards! But the ones that go under the whole saddle are useless IMHO
 
I've got the kind which can wrap around, but I just put the sides underneath my stirrup leathers - my weight obviously keeps the leather tight so stops its moving. I only have a single flap saddle now otherwise I used to put the side bits under the flaps. I usually use it at events - for standing about etc. so I like to have it easily removable.
 
I have three - my waterproof hi viz exercise sheet which I hate because its too hot, and never sits right under the saddle. A waterproof competition sheet that wraps around, and a fleece Whitney wraparound, which I use all the time as they are dead easy, and I can use them for warming up at lessons as I can whip it off easily from on top.
 
I finally got used to my wrap around one, going under the saddle flaps and Velcro at the withers. Seems to work ok. Can't bear it over my legs, I've seen parachutes that flapped about less, totally useless in the pennine wind, good job my horses are quite bombproof. On windy days I revert to the regular exercise sheet that goes under the saddle, with numnah on top.
 
I have always used a wrap around sheet, I have always put stirrup leathers over the top of sheet- I find for whatever reason if the sheet needs to come off (i.e. horse gets too hot) this is the quickest way to undo it.
 
poppysmum1 said:
LOL Took design from Equisafety wrap around sheets. Arm bands are ones I bought in Aldi for £2.99. Under saddle sheet I grabbed off someone who was clearing out tack box, otherwise she was going to throw it away!. Breast girth was £2 second-hand. I don't think tack lady will charge me more than £5 to do all the alterations (O: To buy new, a sheet can cost anything from £20 to £50
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Exactly right :)
 
All my exercise sheets are wrap around bar my newmarket sheet. I just use that and a saddle on top, no numnah.

As above I fold it back rather than using the girth loops. Also means your leg is directly against the horses with no sheet in the way.
 
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