Can anyone point me to an American/Canadian vendor who sells good old fashioned strapping pads at a reasonable price?
Many thanks!
Is that like a hay whisk sort of thing? Like you rhythmically thump/swoosh on the horse to bring up the bloom in the coat? Will you come groom my horses, please?
We made our own. (In the middle ages, that is)
But - here’s some http://www.safetyplusequine.com/english-leather-strapping-pad-107-p.asp
http://www.equestrianuk.com/Shires-Massage-Pad-M22429
I think strapping does a lot more for the groom’s muscles than the horse’s. It was used a lot when we still wore REALLY itchy Bedford cord jodphurs and shirts with ties for riding. The strapping pad has gone the way of the cords and ties, THANK HEAVENS. I don’t think it was used much in the colonies !
You’d have a lot more success with top quality feed, exercise and modern grooming products. (Unless of course you like sweating yourself to a dishrag)
A cornhole bag might work.
Flagstaff Foxhunter–you got it right–whoosh-thump!
Equibrit–thanks for the links–I was hoping for a local vendor.
I’m not planning to go crazy with hours of strapping but I am curious to see if it might be of some benefit to bring some bloom to a couple of less than stellar muscle groups. The pads are really for cheaters, so I’m told, and “real” grooms twisted their own from hay or made due with a folded towel.
I think strapping is a curiously British thing. It is also only of benefit when used long term and regularly. (as the old timers say). Massage would probably do better.
When I look at vintage photographs of horses, I am always struck by the gloss seen on the coats of the well-cared for ones. Unless this is a trick of early B&W photography, I don’t think we see shine like that–rarely, if ever. Elbow grease seems to work better than any coat spray or feed supplement. Strapping is of that era, so it must be a part of the reason for that mirror-like sheen.
If memory serves, the (early 1980’s?) book, Practical Horseman’s Book of Horsekeeping, had a diagram for making hay whisks. Naturally, I loaned my copy to someone irresponsible and it’s long gone. PEOPLE: how hard is it to return books???
I’ve got this book at home. I will look to see if the diagram is in there. If it’s not there, I think it’s in some other book I have.
not in ancient times
They, the hay ones were made and :winkgrin:used by students at Morven Park back in the 1970ies; barns were to wisp in rhythm:lol:
I made them out of hay when I was a kid. And yes, we had electricity and indoor plumbing back then.
I think Grooming to Win had instructions, too.
Showsheen is nice to have… But nothing beats elbow grease.
Hay version; http://www.horsegroomingsupplies.com/pictures/files/1/1/0/1/6/wisp_thumb.jpg
Easier to make with a cotton lead rope.
[QUOTE=Equibrit;6250240]
We made our own. (In the middle ages, that is)
But - here’s some http://www.safetyplusequine.com/english-leather-strapping-pad-107-p.asp
http://www.equestrianuk.com/Shires-Massage-Pad-M22429
I think strapping does a lot more for the groom’s muscles than the horse’s. It was used a lot when we still wore REALLY itchy Bedford cord jodphurs and shirts with ties for riding. The strapping pad has gone the way of the cords and ties, THANK HEAVENS. I don’t think it was used much in the colonies !
You’d have a lot more success with top quality feed, exercise and modern grooming products. (Unless of course you like sweating yourself to a dishrag)
A cornhole bag might work.[/QUOTE]
The first link is like the kind I used for HOURS as a working student.
Nothing like adding the strapping pad to the list of things that need to be cleaned at the end of the day.
I dunno though, I really liked the strapper. Even if it was for my own biceps and triceps. I’ve made a few out of hay, but nothing makes the satisfying “whooomp” that a pad does.
At the very least, it offers bringing oils up and a nice bonding experience. And firm and glorious upper arms. More fun than lifting weights while listening to an iPod to dull the boredom. 
I strap my mare every day. She loves to be groomed, but seems to enjoy the "whooomp"ing the best. It has just become part of my daily grooming.
I would LOVE to be able to make a wisp/whisp/ thingy. I would like to have one made out of baling twine though to hold up a little better. I’ve seen the directions, but can’t figure them out.
Does someone want to make me one??? I’ll pay!!!
How about Alberta ? http://www.heartlandsaddlery.com/products/Shires-Leather-Massage-Pad.html
A bit spendy though.
So I’m trying to figure out how this works. Do you use two of them, one on each hand, and whoomp away like a swedish masseuse in a cartoon? Do you use one, and if so, do you alternate whoomping and brushing?
i bought 2 boar-brisle hair brushes and use them (not everyday) as grooming brushes. They seem to distribute the coat oil better than anything and my horse seems to enjoy it.
Thanks Equibrit. I was picturing something more…dramatic. Perhaps both arms thumping away in a windmill motion 
It looks as though they were using a plain kitchen towel in the video. I can try that. Of course, my horse lives outdoors, so a white towel on her neck would not come away quite so clean
Thanks to all who replied!
The cool looking leather pads are indeed more expensive than I’d hoped and I’m not sure why they are sold in pairs. Oh well, it’s time to get crafty and gather some hay and twist!
Here’s an idea: how about getting one of those rubber sanding blocks used to hold a small sheet of sandpaper, and then padding it up with soft cloth? You’d have something with a little heft to get the thumps, and yet soft enough to not hurt. You should be able to attach the cloth into the slits designed to grip the sandpaper if you didn’t want to just hold it wrapped over the block. Any store that sells paint and carpentry supplies will have the sanding blocks and even soft cotton wiping rags.
Hinderella - the towel is called a stable rubber. If you are interested in purchasing one, I think Horse Country sells them.
It’s just a linen towel. I’m sure you could get a similar towel at any store that sells bed or kitchen linens. But it wouldn’t say “rubber” on it so it will most likely be cheaper.:lol:
I’ve got one in the barn and just use it for putting on that final bloom after a thorough grooming.
