Care & Maintenance

1. It is important to treat your saddle before its first use with a good quality leather care cream or balsam conditioner. Small irregularities in the leather can sometimes be visible but these are entirely natural and should not be considered a defect. If you have purchased a saddle with buffalo, doeskin, suede or other specialist leather, please contact your retailer for detailed treatment and care information.

1. Only use your saddle on the horse for which it was made and fitted.

1. We recommend riding in jodhpurs or breeches. Avoid trousers with a raised seam, such as jeans, as they can cause uneven or increased wear on the saddle seat.

1. We recommend that all tack is cleaned each time after use. Wipe away any dirt and grease with a damp sponge/cloth and allow the leather to dry naturally. Then, treat with a good quality leather care cream or balsam conditioner. Always clean stirrup leathers at the same time as the saddle. Hard or untreated stirrup leathers can damage saddle flaps.

1. Avoid using soaps, sprays, spirit based cleaners, oils and resin/seat glue products – all these may damage the leather.

1. If the saddle becomes wet, allow it to dry naturally. Under no circumstances should wet leather be exposed to direct heat, bright sunshine or extreme temperature.

1. When not in use, your saddle should be covered and stored carefully. Make sure that the flaps lie flat. Store in a dry place in moderate temperatures. Avoid direct heat sources and extreme humidity.

1. Have your saddle checked professionally for condition, fit and balance in accordance with our ‘Saddle Checking’ recommendations.

Saddle checking

It is important that regular inspections are carried out in order to maintain the saddle and girth straps in the best possible condition. Check for signs of wear and tear, including stitching and flocking.

We recommend 6 monthly checks for saddles used in regular, everyday riding and 3 monthly checks on saddles for horses in hard work or returning to work.

Remember also that horses can change shape over time.

We recommend the same 6 and 3 monthly checks, dependent on work rate. Changes insaddle fit can alter balance and hence weight distribution.

Many owners will detect changes in their horse’s shape by the way the saddle sits, by changes in performance or simply whether they have a ‘happy’ horse. Please contact your saddle fitter to book a saddle assessment.