How usually do you clear your horse’s saddle pads? Each time you utilize a saddle pad, numnah or half-pad, it would soak up a specific amount of sweat, grime and scurf. This builds up till there are grime or grease patches, which can harden and may trigger sores or rubs on the horse’s again. Whereas the surface of the saddle pad could superficially nonetheless look clear – particularly if it’s a dark-coloured one – the underside may effectively be a distinct story.
In addition to holding your horse snug, common and acceptable cleansing of the saddle pad will lengthen its life. The salt within the horse’s sweat can break down the fibres within the pad, which means it would put on extra rapidly.
After all, there are not any set guidelines on how usually that you must clear it: some horses sweat extra, some riders groom much less, and it will depend on the season and the quantity and depth of the work achieved.
The way you clear your saddle pad yields one other set of decisions. An on a regular basis dark-coloured cotton pad can have totally different directions to a white sheepskin, so let’s purpose to cowl all the favored choices. Most saddle pads can have washing directions, so you’ll know if they are often washed in your machine, for instance, or want hand-washing.
Easy methods to clear your on a regular basis saddle pad
Many riders go for darkish saddle pads for every day use, as they present up the grime lower than lighter colors. Earlier than you begin any washing course of, brush off or vacuum the hair and as a lot grime as doable from the underside of the pad. Subsequent, a washer works effectively up to some extent if that is really helpful by the producer, nevertheless it’s finest to keep away from utilizing your common detergent because it incorporates a bleaching agent which can compromise the fibre and stitching. Nonetheless, milder detergents could to not shift the grease and dirt. As an alternative – or if the pad will not be machine-washable – a superb hand-scrub will work wonders to shift stains and cussed grease spots. Some riders swear by hand-scrubbing with human shampoo, which eliminates grease with out compromising the material, with the extra profit that it received’t fade the darkish colors.
Tumble dryers are usually not really helpful. Grasp the saddle pad up and permit them to air-dry, with out pegs, which might trigger awkward kinks within the form of the pad.
Retaining a saddle pad white
Whereas typically you shouldn’t get any further marks for turnout at a contest, nevertheless it actually helps you feel and look the half to be effectively offered. Many riders save their white saddle pads for competitors days, after which they need to be stored separate from all the opposite, presumably muddy, objects certain for the washer. And keep in mind to not polish the within of your using boots, as black polish is extraordinarily troublesome to take away from a white cloth.
As with the darkish colored pads, attempt to take away as a lot grime, grime and hair with a brush or vacuum, and hand-scrubbing with shampoo earlier than utilizing the machine – offering the producer’s directions suggest this. Bear in mind to examine for any rogue crimson socks within the machine’s drum which may flip your numnah pink, after which wash on the steered temperature.
Like our personal white clothes, you’ll need the saddle pad to be shiny white to dazzle the judges. Bleach is a no-no, as it would weaken the fibres and should trigger irritation to the horse’s pores and skin. Some individuals use a standard whitening trick of soaking their whites in a weak answer of borax for an hour, then rinse completely and go away to dry.
Sheepskin and wool saddle pads
These want a bit extra care to maintain the wool each clear and fluffy. Verify the producer’s directions, and you can find that many sheepskin saddle pads might be put within the machine, often on a cool cycle designed for woollens or delicates. In any other case you’ll must roll your sleeves and hand-wash in a giant sink or a bath.
There are a number of detergents designed for laundry sheepskin and wool, resembling Mattes Melp or Woolskin detergent. A liquid non-bio product is essential as powder can clog up the fibres of the wool. One scorching tip is to rub in a beneficiant quantity of human hair conditioner earlier than washing, as this will enhance the softness if the wool is matted.
As soon as the pad is clear, brush it with a sheepskin brush, such because the Wool Firm’s bamboo one or a canine grooming brush, to revitalise its fluffiness.
Lay the pad flat to dry indoors.
There’s much more to cleansing your saddle pads than first meets the attention, however the following tips ought to guarantee a sensible, skilled turnout and a snug horse.
You may additionally have an interest to learn…
In search of a half pad to make the distinction to your saddle? Try one of the best half pads on the
Credit score: ANDREW SYDENHAM
Try our decide of one of the best dressage pads in the marketplace proper now
Credit score: Future
Horse & Hound journal, out each Thursday, is full of all the most recent information and reviews, in addition to interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and coaching recommendation. Discover how one can get pleasure from the journal delivered to your door each week, plus choices to improve your subscription to entry our on-line service that brings you breaking information and reviews in addition to different advantages.