A saddle is a huge investement. Whether they are brand new or second hand, they deserve to be cared for and stored correctly in order to help maintain their structural integrity.
So many of us spend a lot of time and money ensuring our saddles fit our horses perfectly, only to store them incorrectly - which can lead to saddles changing shape, dented panels and general wear and tear of the leather. Like any other valuable asset you own, a saddle requires proper care to maintain its quality and functionality over time.
Storing your saddle
Many of the saddle racks on the market these days have the saddle panels sitting on metal bars. This can dent the panels and in turn affect the way the saddle fits your horse.
To help mitiagate this, invest in a saddle rack that offer a single support down the channel of your saddle, and doesn't touch the panels. This will stop the panels from being dented, and affecting how your saddle fits your horse.
Why does this matter? Altering the flocking in your saddle can have a huge impact on the way the saddle fits your horse. This is turn can lead to lameness, pressure points on your horses back, and a very unhappy horse.
Caring for your saddle
Moisture is the nemisis of leather, and tack rooms can often be damp and poorly ventilated. This can lead to mould and mildew gathering on your saddle. This not only compromises the integrity of the leather, but can also break down the stitching in your saddle.
The best way to avoid this is to ensure you have a cover on your saddle when it is not being used, and to regularly clean your saddle to avoid the build up of mould, mildew or moisture.
Where possible, ensure your tack room adequate airflow.
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