Your saddle ...
Your saddle, new or second-hand, should be
fitted by a MEMBER OF THE SOCIETY OF MASTER
SADDLERS. Their first consideration will
always be the horse. This may mean that you
need to adjust any preconceived ideas you may
have about your own preferences in relation
to make and design.
If you MUST use a numnah or gel pad ...
If you MUST use a numnah or gel pad the
saddle fitter must be informed at the time of
the original enquiry - and always before the
saddle is fitted. Adding a numnah under a
saddle which fits well without it is akin to
putting thick insoles into shoes that fit
perfectly without them.
Each horse should have its own saddle ...
Each horse should have its own saddle. Just
as a pair of shoes adapts to the wearer's
foot, so the saddle adopts the contours of
the horse. Ill advised riders use one saddle
on several horses ('it cuts down on tack
cleaning'…'I ride better in that particular
saddle'…) without pausing to consider
possible consequences.
It may be possible to adjust your exisiting saddle ...
It may be possible to adjust your existing
saddle to fit your new horse - but the advice
of a qualified saddle fitter should always be
sought.
Your horse changes shape regularly ...
Your horse changes shape regularly. The
frequency of these changes will relate to his
age, training, management and so on. Try to
develop an eye to recognise these changes.
Viewed on a daily basis, the changes may seem
inconsequential but over a period of just a
week or so they can be surprisingly
substantial. Have your saddle checked - and
any necessary adjustments made - regularly.
'Feed' your saddle carefully ...
'Feed' your saddle carefully. Insufficiently
treated the leather will dry out. Fed too
much, the dressing will not be absorbed and
the saddle will be unpleasantly sticky -
possibly marking your clothes, or worse,
causing the saddle stitching to rot. The
regularity with which the saddle requires
'dressing' relates to usage, weather
conditions and so on.
The young horse must be fitted especially carefully ...
The young horse must be fitted especially
carefully. His - or her - back is 'virgin
territory' and very precious. Great care must
be taken to avoid any damage that may cause
problems later in life. Young horses should
never be lunged in any old saddle ('it
doesn't matter - no-one is going to ride in
it'). The young back is particularly
vulnerable and a swinging/bouncing saddle
that doesn't fit - and may even be damaged -
can be the cause of veterinary problems that
may be irreversible. Recognise, too, that
some young horses develop at a substantial
rate and the saddle that fitted well only a
short time previously may need adjustment.
The standard general purpose saddle ...
The standard general purpose saddle is a
compromise and can never fulfil the needs of
individual disciplines as well as saddles
designed specifically.
Unlevelness ...
Unlevelness, even slight, in your horse's
gait - especially behind - can cause the
saddle to move/gyrate thus possibly
exacerbating the existing problem
Mounting from a mounting block ...
Mounting from a mounting block should not be
restricted to the less-than-athletic! It is
infinitely better for the horse's back and
guards against the saddle tree becoming
twisted - quite easy to happen if the saddle
is regularly used as a lever.
When mounting ...
When mounting the rider's weight should
always be lowered gently into the saddle -
never 'thump' or 'bang'.
If you insist on mounting from the ground ...
If you insist on mounting from the ground be
aware that the stirrup leathers should be
changed from side to side regularly to avoid
the near-side leather becoming
longer/stretched.
Saddles should be carefully stored ...
Saddles should be carefully stored on a
well-made saddle horse or rack. Never
position saddles where they can be knocked
off the rack. Appreciate that lifting a
saddle onto a very high rack can damage your
own back - and often results in the saddle
being stored lop-sidedly.
Great attention must always be paid ...
Great attention must always be paid to the
condition of the saddle flocking.
Irregular/uneven/lumpy flocking can cause
pressure points that may seriously damage the
horse's back. Severe irregularity in the
flocking can cause the saddle to sit to one
side. Correct flocking provides a cushioning
effect that helps to reduce trauma. Over
stuffed, the saddle will be hard, will not
adapt to the horse's back and may cause
pressure sores or sensitivity.
The saddle must always be level ...
The saddle must always be level when viewed
from the side. Anything else compromises the
horse's comfort and welfare. 'Up-hill' the
rider will sit too far back. 'Down-hill the
rider will be encouraged onto the fork.
When viewed from the front and rear ...
When viewed from the front and rear the
saddle gullet must always provide adequate
clearance - both before and after the horse
is exercised.
Most equine insurance ...
Most equine insurance can be extended to
include theft of tack. Some policies even
include accidental damage. Important
considerations - but do read the small print
'exclusions' carefully before signing up.
It is important to ask the saddler ...
It is important to ask the saddler to check
any saddle in use when a horse falls.
'Hidden' damage may be substantial -
broken/cracked trees can be difficult to
detect. Likewise, if the saddle falls from
the saddle rack or is dropped it should be
checked over by a qualified saddler.
The size of the stirrup irons ...
The size of the stirrup irons should be
checked when a different rider exercises the
horse. Irons that are either too small or too
large can be the cause of serious accidents.
Weak or defective stitching ...
Weak or defective stitching on any part of
the saddle should be repaired instantly.
Saddles should be checked every time they are
used; equal attention should be paid to
girths and leathers.
