Preparing horse sinew for drying

[jameswoodmot]

Thought I’d put this one here as it might get more views

After my recent foray into sinewing I realised I want more sinew, but am not a hunter and do t know any.

But I am a farrier, so I phoned the knacker man (what animal euthanasia man is called in England) and asked for some legs. We used to get them from him for dissections as apprentices and for competition practice.

I’ve seen reference to horse sinew being used but can’t find anything online.

They’ve got a lot of membrane attached, I’ve “fleshed” as much as I can but the damn things are slippery as hell and the membrane is patchy and won’t come off in a nice sheet. How much of this needs to come off before drying and will be be a problem either for storage or for later processing?

Anyone dealt with horse tendons before or used them on bows?

I’ll put pics in comments below

[jameswoodmot]

Longest are 16” or so

You can see how much membrane is on them. Maybe I’m better off freezing them then drying as I need them?

[superdav95]

Ya my moose tendons looked similar.  I would not go crazy cause you will just pound them anyway when dry.  The casing will come off fine.  Mine were not bad with the moose leg tendon.  Get as much off as you can and then dry them.  You will pound them them wash and degrease them anyway.   Get as much of the fat off now as you can.   Good score. 

[stuckinthemud]

If you can get it from your man, the most prized sinew was the paddywhack tendon - the neck/spine tendon

[Hamish]

Yep, just let them dry then pound them, comb them, all the crap will come off. Never used horse, don't see why that wouldn't be good. I think Chinese bowyers used horse, so it should be good.