FOCUSONSADDLING
ADVICE FROM THE SOCIETY OF MASTER SADDLERS
In this issue the team at The SocietyofMasterSaddlersoffer adviceontack care and maintenancetohelp ensureitlasts and stands thetestoftime.
SADDLERYCARE EXPLAINED! G
ood quality, handcrafted saddlery canlastfor years but only if carefully maintained and looked after. When using saddlesand bridlesonadaily basis, the rigoursofriding putsthemtothe
test so regular cleaning, care and attention is vital to ensureyou arestill using them in manyyears to come. As we all know, investing in good qualitytack is likely to
be one of the mostexpensiveand important purchasesyou makefor youand your horse.Onceyou have the right saddle, bridle and other tack accessoriesitisthenovertoyou to ensuretheyremain in good condition and lastfor years. Your saddle and bridle should be checked each time you
tack up andamorein- depthlook takenwhen cleaning. In general leather should be supple and free from cracks. If allowedtodry out, leather becomesbrittle and weak, making it prone to splitting. Payparticular attention to straps which aresubjectedtoalot of stress
e.g.girth straps and stirrup leathers. Makesurestitching is secure, metalwork e.g.bucklesare notdamaged and that holeshavenot become enlarged. If the tack is in poor condition, it can injureyou and your horse or cause aserious accident. Checks to tack should be thorough; this will involve
turning your saddle upside down to checkunderneath it and lifting up all flaps. To checkabridle properly it will need to be takenapart as bucklesoften hide cracks in the leather.
Cleaningabridle It is advisable thereforetothoroughly clean your saddle
and bridle at leastonceaweek. The aim of thorough cleaning is to remove all dirt and grease and then to feed and condition the
leather.There arenumerous products available on the market forconditioning leather such as sprays, wipes, soap bars, creams, oils and balms. Alwaysreadmanufacturer’sinstructions carefully to makesurethe productissuitable foryour particular type of leather.Whether youuse asponge, brush or cloth to cleanand apply productmakesureit is not tooabrasivesothatthe leather isn’tscratched. To cleanmetalwork youcan useametal polish, this will
leavebucklesand stirrups etclooking brighter and clean. Neveruse polishesonbitsthough as theymay be harmful to your horse.Evenifyou think youhavewashed apolish off it is likely aresidue is left behind which youcannot see.
Awellusedsaddle
Steps to maintain leather mustbetaken to ensureitstays supple and safe. Ideally tack should be cleaned everytime it has been used, but this is not
alwayspossible.Atthe very leastbits should be washed in clean waterand dried with aclean cloth after theyhavebeen used. Also,iftack getswet and muddy it should not be left or it is likely to become brittle or maystretch. Remove mud and dirt with awarm damp cloth and allowitto dry at room temperature, and then apply aleather conditioner.
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If asaddle is good qualityand well caredfor it should lastfor years, and if it still fits your horse thereisno need to replaceit. Youmight liketoreplacecertain partsthough such asthe girth straps and stirrup leathers. Stitching mayalso need re-doing on certain partsofyour saddle or bridle after afew years.
T ofindyourlocalsaddler,whocancarryoutany
necessaryrepairsoryourlocalQualifiedSaddle
Fittervisitwww.mastersaddlers.co.ukorcontact TheSocietyofMasterSaddlerson01449711642.
JUNE/JULY2021For
thelatestnewsvisitwww.centralhorsenews.co.uk
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