October 2024
Happy Fall Y'All !!
I can't believe how fast time is flying by. I started this enewsletter in October and somehow it's now November and we are planning Thanksgiving and Christmas. Whoa!! Slow down, I am not even finished with October yet. I guess I better hurry up. So, here are my thoughts from last month. We need to review some things that I may have forgotten to mention when we were together.
Let's Review
- Your saddle fit should be checked every 6-12 months. Horses change shape often very gradually and we don't realize how far off our saddle fit is until we adjust it. That is why I only recommend adjustable saddles because your horse will change and if your saddle can't be refitted, you will be saddle shopping again.
- Your saddle needs care. The leather on your saddle should be cleaned and conditioned no less that once a month. I clean mine at least once a week. Think of your saddle leather like your face. Clean it regularly with a damp clorth or if it's really bad with saddle soap, then imediately condition with moisturizer. Peter Horobin Saddlery and DP Saddlery require you to use the product they recommend for care otherwise the warranty is void. See the list below.
- Your sadddle pad and girth also need to be cleaned often. A lot of girth sores and back soreness is coming from friction of dirty sweaty pads and girths. The pad and girth should be allowing the heat from the horse to dissipate not be trapped. No one wants to sit in their own sweat and no a lot of sweat is not a good thing. Martha Josey said if you won't put it against your face then don't put it on your horses's back. Their skin is very sensitive, keep it natural and soft.
- A thicker, special, gel, CBS, ABC or whatever saddle pad does not necessarily help your saddle fit better. In fact, most of the time it makes it worse. Your saddle was fitted to work with a thinner pad unless noted. Changing to a thicker one can cause the saddle to be too tight.
- Store your saddle in a clean, dry, cool place on a saddle rack that does not damage your panels. Your saddle should not live in your horse trailer, truck or a dusty barn, If you have a Specialized/TW or wool flocked DP or Peter Horobin saddle, keep the saddle stored where nothing touches the panels. I see a lot of saddle rack damage. Protect your investment. Here is a video explaining.saddle rack damage.
FROM THE MANUFACTURERS
Peter Horobin Saddles are warrantied by Peter Horobin Saddlery. The saddle trees are guaranteed for the life of the saddle under normal wear and tear to the original owner only. The leather is under warranty for 2 years providing the PHS Saddle Leather Care products are used. Warranty is void if anyone other than a PHS Cerified Saddlefitter services, repairs, flocks or adjust your saddle. click here for PH leather care recommendations
DP Quantum Saddles are warrantied by DP Saddlery LP. The saddle trees are guaranteed for 5 years. The leather is warrantied for 3 years. Their overall warranty does not cover wear and tear parts such as billets, conchos, hardware, tie straps, fenders, latigo strings, leather or girths. DP only recommends Blackrock Leather care product for conditioning their saddles. The nubuck seats and billets should be only cleaned with suede/nubuck eraser and brush. I found these wipes for the nubuck billets are very helpful. Warranty claims can only be honored if the saddle is appropriately used, stored and cared for. click here for more DP Leather care recommendations.
Specialized and TW Saddles are warrantied by Specialized Saddles. They have a 5 year limited warranty on their trees and 1 year warranty on everything else (defects in material and workmanship). I have found that the Lexol cleaner condition works well with the SS/TW Saddles skirting leather (dark oil & light oil) and the Peter Horobin leather balm works well with their bridle leather (black, mahogany & brown).
Christ Girths and Pads should be washed in their C7 shampoo either by hand or in the washer and then dried in the dryer with a light heat setting. They should not be washed with a hose and left to air dry. The dryer really helps keep the sheepskin soft and the hide flexible. In between washings, you can curry or brush your girth. click here for more detailed care recommendations
Thin Line Saddle Pads should be brushed out after each ride and washed as needed. Most pads can be washed in the machine and then hung out to dry. My favorite sheepskin and western endurance pads I wash like a horse on the crossties. click here for more detailed care recommendations
That's all I have for this month. Time to go ride! As always, thank you for reading the enewsletter and especially for sharing it with your friends. Helping horses is what it is all about. I hope you have a great fall riding season! May all the best from God be yours.
TTYS
Terry Peiper, Fit Right Saddle Solutions