FnE AirFlow Numnah
The FnE AirFlow numnah/saddle pad is made from Cordura, lined with a random PVC mesh (manufactured by 3M and sold as wet area matting). Being an open structure it allows air to flow between the saddle and horse, so helping to cool the hard working horse. Yes, the mesh goes against the horse! In endurance riding it is also possible to greatly improve cooling by sloshing under the saddle. The mesh distributes the slosh water and improves its cooling effect; also as some of the water is held between numnah and horse it creates an evaporative cooling effect while on the move.
I (Les Spark) have personally used it for two endurance seasons riding 80 km (50 miles) or more in a day and in multiday rides in excess of 160 km (100 miles) in all weathers. As the fibres do not retain water only one numnah is needed for rides of any length and over any number of days. Customers have used the AirFlow numnah in one day 160 km (100 mile) rides in very hot weather and considered it to have greatly helped in keeping the horse cool.
Close up of the random mesh which | This is the numnah for the standard flap |
The outer Cordura cover is offered in a range of colours
Price £110.00 in any Cordura colour or saddle style
The mesh colour is green only
Using the AirFlow Numnah
In Endurance riding it is very important to keep as much water and electrolyte as possible inside the skin of the horse rather than losing them both outside the skin in sweat! However if the horse works hard it sweats to lose heat by evaporative cooling. The idea behind the AirFlow is to help reduce the amount of sweat lost right from the start of a ride, as this may be the most crucial period for electrolyte loss, and to continue this sweating reduction throughout the ride. A full technical explanation will appear on our web site in the near future for those serious riders who appreciate the need to understand the details of their sport.
The sweating starts right at the beginning of a ride even though the horse may feel dry. It’s just that the rate of sweat production is less than the rate of evaporation (just think what’s happening when a bunch of horses, 5 minutes into a ride, on a cold morning are surrounded by a cloud of steam). Therefore starting to cool at 15-20 minutes, or sooner, into the ride is important - I call this artificial sweat application. Just water of course with a little bit of shampoo! Not much. A trickle over the neck so the hair is just wet, and under the saddle back and front. The small amount of shampoo (I mean small, about a teaspoon in 5 litres) added to this water helps wetting of the hair. Now your horse has no need to sweat to keep cool! This small amount of water does the job for your horse. If small repeated applications are maintained by the rider from a normal drinks bottle, especially in the early stages of the ride, the horse is not losing so much salt in the sweat but is losing water only by evaporation from its lungs. So the salt concentration in the blood will increase sooner in the ride and induce the horse’s desire to drink. Any endurance rider can work out the benefits of reduced crewing throughout a ride and on the approach to a vet gate and at the finish of a ride. Its also a real benefit to those who ride without a crew.
The disadvantage is having to learn to ‘dribble’ water from a bottle at canter or trot if you’re in a hurry! The technique can be learnt. It’s also possible to over cool your horse even on a hot day if washing off at the end of a ride is overdone. We learnt this the hard way.
The AirFlow numnah does not absorb any (I do mean ‘any’) water or sweat, it stays dry. The open random mesh of fibres allows water to percolate through, taking heat as it passes. It also allows air to flow between the saddle and the horse causing evaporative cooling, just like sweat, in an area on the horse where evaporative cooling cannot normally take place - under the saddle and numnah! Because the AirFlow numnah stays dry there is no need to change it at vet gates or during a multi day ride.
You can experience the AirFlow effect with a FnE Grooming Mitt. First move your hand gently back and forth through the air then put the mitt on your hand and carry out the same back and forth action - the difference is dramatic. Now dunk hand and mitt together in water, lift out and repeat the back and forth action - the effect is even greater.straight to the vet, and on graded rides an airtex sheet and walk round until vetting time might be all that’s needed.a
We ride with four 500ml bottles attached to the saddles. One is rider drinking water and three are dribble sloshes for the horse (& rider on hot days). The empty dribble slosh bottles can be exchanged at crew points for full ones or refilled by friends and strangers. On approaching a vet gate or finish (graded rides included) increase the dribble sloshing. On endurance rides you’ll be
What the customers say about the FnE Airflow Numnah
They are absolutely great. Used them on all the horses. Best test was Zia (who is very thin skinned) at Cirencester for the 2 day 130km - no problems. They help to keep the back cool - you can trickle water through them from the front or back of the saddle. They don't get heavy when they are wet - and you don't have to change them at vet gates at all!
We're big fans
Jan Clark
******************************* Absolutely excellent, especially when hot- I used the same numnah throughout the Solstice 160k, and also all 3 days of Lindum. Jill Kent ******************************* Tisi is very sensitive skinned & have to say no problems at all, infact warmer they get the softer they get and a great way of sneaking slosh water on Tisi who wuld rather fall on the floor than have water poured over her. Use ours all the time as don't require as much washing and you don't have to worry about changing at vet gates - something less to carry:) Cate Langley ******************************* Beth (Langley) & Ametista Also own a free n easy airflow, I bought this last February. However it was quickly put back in the box, when my horse objected to go forward and just arc her back with in on. However this was in the winter and she was fully clipped out. She then came up in little lumps a few days later.
I slosh down the gullet of the saddle to completely soak the numnah before I start the ride, and then repeat at every crew point & before leaving the vet
gates. The only drawback is that the saddle needs lots of saddle soap after the ride, as it has got so wet.
I did worry at the beginning of the year, it case it was uncomfortable for
him - it certainly looks uncomfortable, especially when dry, but it softens
a lot when wet.
During the winter I used my normal sheepskins numnahs for training, but
would still use the 'magic' one for real rides. I'll be using it at Red Dragon.
I have a free'n'easy air flow numnah, and Ametista is so much better off
than in the wool ones!
1: her recovery rates are a lot faster coming into vet gates!
2: I dont have to bother changing it every vet gate!
3: When I slosh her the numnah let’s water go underneath the saddle and
doesn't get soggy! and even though if u touch it it feels hard if you warm it up, say put it in the tumble dryer for a few minutes youll find that they’re totally soft! I like cuddling mine when they come out, very nice :)
I recommend to anyone with a free'n'easy to have these numnahs!
I am a firm believer in never changing anything before a ride, so there was never the opportunity to try it again, however after speaking with Les at the Scottish Championships, I then reclipped Ginti at the end of August with a large saddle patch left on.
I have since done an 80K ER and had no problem at all with the numnah, by the end of the ride the numnah was very soft and pliable and was so much easier than changing to a new numnah each time. I just can’t wait to use it again next season.
Evelyn Frame
