Which Numnah

[Animal magic]

I have been advised by my saddler to get a thick numnah, although having just owned a horse for four months I have no idea which one.

i have a 12 year old 15'2 thoroughbred with high withers.
there are so many out there I am getting confused with the choice. Can any one advice?

thankyou

[Daffy Dilly]

I have a Mattes lambskin one (fully lined with a suede top) and it's absolutely divine. :D

Ok it was just short of £100, but I got it in March, it's been used a lot since then, and I haven't washed it yet. And it's still very soft.

[*Lizzie*]

have you looked at polypads?
Not sure if thats the kind of thing you're after but thought I'd mention it!
:)

[JustJas]

Is it a thick numnah or a half-pad?
Kizzy has a Stephens sheepskin one and it is wonderful. It is silver grey and loads of people comment on it. I use it under a thin saddlecloth I got it off ebay.

Like Lizzi said Poly pads are good

[Roofio]

nuumed do thicker pads. the hi wither versions have great clearance.

i had an origional polypad that kept slipping down - but they do do shaped ones now.

[carthorse]

Nuumed High Wither ones are good as they sit right up in the gullet & so don't pull on the wither.

Did your saddler say why you should get a thick numnah? Usually they recommend a thin cloth so's not to interfere with the saddle fit. If the saddle doesn't fit then that should be dealt with by altering the saddle. If your horse is cold backed then you may find a gel pad or prolite pad would work better as they're more cushioning than a thick numnah.

[Julz]

Nuumed High Wither ones are good as they sit right up in the gullet & so don't pull on the wither.

Did your saddler say why you should get a thick numnah? Usually they recommend a thin cloth so's not to interfere with the saddle fit. If the saddle doesn't fit then that should be dealt with by altering the saddle..

totally agree

[Flony_Pony]

Either a poly pad or a doubler poly pad (double as thick)

[Alfies-slave]

I would not take the 'saddlers' advice! People who work in tack shops are often sales assistants, not qualified to advise on such matters.

No experienced/qualified saddle fitter would recomend a thick numnah without first having seen how your saddle works with, or against you horse. If you were buying a child a pair of shoes you wouldn't take the word of the shoe shop assistant if they told you buy size 9G if they had never seen or measured your childs feet... no matter how good your description of your kiddies feet!

A thick or fluffy numnah will not cure an ill fitting saddle... probably make it worse.

If you are having problems with your saddle and you are unsure, get it checked out by a qualified saddle fitter. It will cost a fraction of the price of a fluffy numnah and might save you a fortune on chiros in the long term!

[Animal magic]

the saddler came out and fitted a saddle specifically to my horse. Because he is a bit malnurished (only had him four months and he wasn't in great shape when I got him, thin with all his fur falling out!) I am on a programme of getting him fit and putting some weight on him. In the mean time, no saddle, other than a custom made £1000 type one will fit (due to his high withers) and as I am on a programme to help him get in shape I am unwilling to pay that kind of money for it only to last 6 months. The saddler has fitted a Wintec VSD (had to add extra stuffing!!!) and the saddler saw me ride him with it and although it is a good fit he still recommended a thick numnah, didn't really ask what that meant (didn't think there would be that many options - shows my naivity!!!). Hope this helps clarify things - keep the advice coming its most appreciated.

animals are magic

[Roofio]

when j first had his saddle co saddle, the fitter (boss of the company, no less ;)) said to carry on using the polypad for a while to allow him to fill out the wastage along his spine.

obligatory pic, just because (excuse the,err, 'extras' - he seemed rather impressed with it :eek:)

http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n248/Roofio24/DSC00351.jpg