Re: Felting
Laney Humphrey (laneyh@mbay.net)
Tue, 18 Nov 1997 08:25:22 -0800
Monika - funny you should ask about felting horsehair... I've been told by
several old-timers that people used to make great saddle pads by gathering
shed-out horsehair, putting it in a burlap sack, putting that under their
saddle and riding and riding and riding. Eventually the horsehair felts
into the "best" saddle pad. (I imagine that the burlap either integrates
or disintegrates.) I'm told the pads did all the things pads are supposed
to do - wick sweat from the horse's back, absorb shock, protect from
pressure from the saddle.
The original horseriders from the Steppes of Central Asia rode on nothing
but pads. Maybe they stuffed them with horsehair. Give it a try and let
us know how it works!!!
Here's to warm-instead-of-cold winters - why do you think I'm in central
CA? (Horse here still grow massive coats) Laney
>Return-Path: smithpr@cadvision.com
>Date: Wed, 12 Nov 1997 18:05:23 +0100
>To: Laney Humphrey <laneyh@mbay.net>
>From: Monika Smith <smithpr@cadvision.com>
>Subject: Re: Felting
>
>Hi Laney, read your post on washing...Martha will definitely be looking you
>up on her 'keeping saddle pads clean' show! <bg>
>
>When you mentioned spinning and weaving, my mind did an aha! a person to
>ask this nagging question....
>
>Horse hair! It should make an incredible felt, although I have NO idea how
>to make felt (aside from accidently when a poor woolen sweater gets
>tortured).
>
>Have you ever heard of this being done here (like US or Canada?) I sorta
>got the idea that the people living in the Steppes (Russia) make incredible
>use of their pony herds, including felt.
>
>Any thoughts? ideas?
>
>It SEEMS like a neat idea to have a horse felt saddle pad. I'm at a stable
>and we have COLD winters (maybe not this one!) and I'm brushing till I
>swear there are garbage bags of the stuff.
>
>Any comments would be nice!
>
>Cheers
>
>Monika, Koko (a hairy grey mare) and Ripp (also grey!)
>
>emailing in from sunny, warm Alberta!
>
>
>