Serge panels.....cleaning without choking!!

[Monty]

I believe saddle company saddles are supposed to be used without saddle cloths etc. Hmmmmm.

I've been a good girl with Rubi and done exactly that.....bujt now I have to clean it in the moulting season!!

Ideas please folks?? I have brushes but they do a poor job. And the whole thing makes me wheeze and cough Any secrets from anyone please??:) And please don't say antihistamines, anyone!!!

[Fizz]

what about one of the lint rollers that removes hairs?

no idea, i need to use a saddlecloth with mine:o

[Em 1]

Could you maybe hoover it? I wouldn't do it on an old serge panel but on new panels it gets most of the hair off so finishing off using a brush isn't too horrible!

[Ginger Thing]

No, we only fit them and see the rider in them for about 10 mins without a saddle cloth, during which the saddle will drop, then if it's a good fit, recommend a thin numnah (such as a Hi Wither which will stay up in the gullet), to keep the panels clean and absorb sweat which will otherwise quickly be absorbed by the serge and make the flocking lumpy.

I think someone has their wires crossed and has caused you alot of cleaning! :rolleyes::D

[BabyBear]

No, we only fit them and see the rider in them for about 10 mins without a saddle cloth, during which the saddle will drop, then if it's a good fit, recommend a thin numnah (such as a Hi Wither which will stay up in the gullet), to keep the panels clean and absorb sweat which will otherwise quickly be absorbed by the serge and make the flocking lumpy.

I think someone has their wires crossed and has caused you alot of cleaning! :rolleyes::D

Now I'm really confused!:confused:

Poohsmate advised me just the other day that they are fine for use without a numnuh and that riding this way would do no damage whatsoever to the saddle other than getting a bit hairy - is this not the case then as there are 5 of use now riding without numnuhs based on this advise.

[Ginger Thing]

All saddles absorb sweat through the panels, but it will go through the serge panels more easily/quickly than leather panels. Think how sweaty numnahs get - where does that go when you don't use one? All saddles also need reflocking regularly, so I don't suppose it would be a major issue, but I would say the serge would definitely absorb it more.

When I did a training course (not Saddle Co) we were asked by Master Saddler what we used numnahs for. Me, having 4 serge panelled saddles, said to keep them clean :). He said 'apart from this lady who is too lazy to clean her serge panels ;), they are only used to absorb sweat which would otherwise be absorbed into the flocking' and obviously not for 'padding' etc.


A well fitting saddle does not *need* a numnah, but a thin one which does not affect the fit will simply help to keep the saddle clean - I had 4 Saddle Co saddles years before I became a fitter, and was recommended to use a Hi Wither numnah. I really couldn't be doing with cleaning serge panels :rolleyes:

Maybe Poohsmate is looking at it from a Bowen perspective too? But I always recommend Hi Wither numnahs.

Not using one won't cause any 'damage' to your saddle, as I said, all panels will absorb sweat and all flocking will need replacing at some point, just might be quicker than leather panels (its ok to use leather panels without a numnah too, of course). :)

[Mehitabel]

the sweat and dirt thing going into the flocking was what sprang to my mind as well. i am far too lazy to clean serge panels (or leather ones, but really really too lazy to clean serge ones).

[Monty]

Thank you for clarifying, Ginger Thing. That makes perfect sense. Cleaning serge panels is a nightmare, and Rubi is very sweaty when she's worked at the moment:)

Thanks.

[BabyBear]

But I always recommend Hi Wither numnahs.



I went shopping today with a view to buying one of these but the padding was quite thick on part of the numnah - surely this would then affect the fit of the saddle potentially making it too tight?

[Ginger Thing]

I went shopping today with a view to buying one of these but the padding was quite thick on part of the numnah - surely this would then affect the fit of the saddle potentially making it too tight?

Which one was it? I use the everyday ones which are a thin, quilted cotton, not the wool ones or anything like that. I have the gp and dressage ones and they are great, everything else we tried seemed to pull down across the withers (TB's :rolleyes:). I have started using sheepskin pads for one of mine, but have fitted his saddle to allow for the extra thickness.

[BabyBear]

Which one was it? I use the everyday ones which are a thin, quilted cotton, not the wool ones or anything like that. I have the gp and dressage ones and they are great, everything else we tried seemed to pull down across the withers (TB's :rolleyes:). I have started using sheepskin pads for one of mine, but have fitted his saddle to allow for the extra thickness.

It was this one

http://www.centralsaddlery.co.uk/product_info.php?cPath=2_54&products_id=202

Had woollen type padding around the wither area - my horse has almost no withers so was worried that perhaps it would narrow the saddle fit.

[Kerpug]

Phil my fitter said to use a lint roller thing to remove hairs :)

[Ginger Thing]

Yep, that's the one. Can't say I find them very padded, compared with a lot of numnahs and saddlecloths. That part stays well up into the gullet on mine anyway, but I will have a look tomorrow where exactly the padding comes to and let you know.

[BabyBear]

Yep, that's the one. Can't say I find them very padded, compared with a lot of numnahs and saddlecloths. That part stays well up into the gullet on mine anyway, but I will have a look tomorrow where exactly the padding comes to and let you know.

Thanks - as I said and you can see from the piccie, my boy has almost zero withers and therefore I would'nt want to impact the saddle fit but would love recommendations for a good thin numnah - I've just got the cheap legacy ones and they start off ok but seem to wear down and become very slippy sometimes causing the saddle to slip!

http://i215.photobucket.com/albums/cc149/kirstin_bell/weight2-1.jpg

[Mariaana]

A good saddle pad to use with the Saddle Company saddles is the Griffin Nuumed Everyday High Wither numnah, and won't cost an awful lot.

The best way to clean serge panels is hoovering them (this will get rid of dried sweat as well, in theory), and brushing with a rubber brush - some dog grooming places sell them. To remove hairs, any sticky cellotape (packing tape is great) or lint roller if you want to be posh...

[BabyBear]

Could someone send me a link/picture of exactly what one you're refering to?

Sorry, tried looking on Rideaway and there are loads and don't want to buy the wrong one!:o

[Mariaana]

Try here:

http://www.bettersaddles.co.uk/acatalog/Numnahs_and_Cloths.html

You need to scroll down to about half the page to see the High Wither Everyday numnah.

[baileyboy]

Yep, I agree. I always tell my clients after intial fitting to use a thin saddle cloth under to saddle. It must have been a nightmare having to clean it all the time:eek: