To extend the life of the saddle, make your saddle nicer to ride in, and to keep an eye on stitching, etc., I highly recommend you clean and condition your saddle regularly. With most cowhide saddles it is okay to use a mild saddle soap to clean the saddle, then use a saddle conditioner to keep the leather supple. On buffalo or calfskin saddles it is recommended you use a damp sponge (just water) to clean the saddle, and then use a cream leather conditioner (I recommend Effax Leder Balsam). This should be a weekly ritual.
It is normal for a saddle’s stitching on girth billets to wear out, so please be sure to have a careful look at these quarterly. It is best to have any wearing looked at and fixed before it becomes a bigger problem.
All saddles need regular check-ups, especially wool-flocked models. It is recommended that your saddle be checked every 8-12 months, depending on the amount of riding you do.
Even if you are using your saddle on multiple horses or it has foam filling, things can break and you will unknowingly be hurting your horse’s back. Flair panel saddles require even more maintenance: I recommend every 3 months to have the air checked for evenness and potential leaks. It is YOUR RESPONSIBILITY to monitor your saddle for potential problems, watch for changes in your horse’s behaviour under saddle and while tacking up, and be aware of any gradual difficulties you are having with your position under saddle. If you start noticing that you get a sore back after riding, it may mean your saddle’s balance is out.
It is recommended with new saddles to have them re-checked in the first 6 months. Horses backs can change rapidly when the cause of a problem is removed and they start moving better. Sometimes the flocking in new saddles does not break in as anticipated and will need to be attended too sooner than later. It is recommended you get your saddle re-fitted every 6-12 months for regular maintenance.
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