Disclaimer - Remember to follow any instructions provided by the manufacturer. The following are recommendations and do not supersede the instructions provided by a products manufacturer.
In most cases your new boots have been carefully stored in a box from the date of manufacture till you purchased them. It’s a good idea that once you get your new boots home give each boot a few light coats of a quality leather conditioner to soften the leather giving you a better more comfortable fit.
Hint – Know the leather that your new boots are made from some leathers will require special treatments or may be damaged if the wrong products are applied.
To reduce the over-stretching and the collapse of the back of the boot it is recommended when putting your new boots on to use the tags, loops, or finger holes to help pull the boot onto your foot. And to remove them use your hands or a boot jack to prevent damage to the heel and back of your boots.
Moist, warm, and dark conditions are perfect for the growth of fungi and bacteria which is detrimental to leather. To protect the thin inner lining found in some boots it is recommended to alternate your boots every few days with another pair to allow the boots time to dry from the natural perspiration of wear.
When leather becomes wet from perspiration, rain, or wet grass it should not be ignored. Natural drying is the best way to keep your boots in top condition, even if they have become saturated with water. Force drying by an external source can cause your boots to harden and shrink as the leather dehydrates and in the extreme the leather can burn causing discolouration and weakening of the leather. Once dry use a leather conditioner or boot oil to bring the leather back to its natural suppleness.
Leather is prone to cracking, tearing, hardening, and shrinking when dry. So a careful balance needs to be kept to extend the life of your boots, too much can be just as bad as too little. If you find your leather stiff to touch, has deep creases, or is becoming a lighter colour these can be signs that it is drying out and needs a light condition. Apply the conditioner and gently massage into the leather paying close attention to the areas of most wear e.g. across the toes.
Once the condition of the leather has been addressed then the look of the boot can be worked on. To maintain the colour and lustre of the boot it is necessary to use a quality polish. To use apply using a soft brush or cloth using a small circular motion. Allow the polish to dry slightly then use a soft polishing cloth to buff the leather to bring up a nice shine. Repeat as necessary.
Delaying repair work to your boots is not a good idea. When leather soles wear thin, they tend to absorb more water. Even the finest quality boots are weakened if they wait for overdue repair work. Continue reading
Keeping a competitive edge means leaving nothing to chance. When you need equipment that works as hard as you do, that performs under pressure and delivers results every time, you can count on the 3-in-1 benefits of Prolite®
This flexible, cushioning layer protects during the most rigorous activity and maximises comfort to allow your horse to relax and concentrate on the job in hand. A problem solver and a preventative measure, Prolite® has a place on every busy yard.
Developed, tested and endorsed by professionals, it’s the intelligent answer to the demands of equestrian sports today. Boost your performance – make Prolite® part of your team
Prolite® absorbs impact from strikes and blows or rider movement
Prolite® disperses pressure points over a wider area
Prolite® absorbs lateral movement remaining still against the skin
The results were very impressive and on all the different saddles tested, Prolite® reduced the peak pressure (psi) by at least 25% on a well fitting saddle and over 30% on a badly fitting saddle.In 2007 Prolite® underwent pressure mapping testing using the SMS's Pliance system.
SADDLE FITTING
There are many thousands of words on the internet about saddle fitting, but the Society prides itself on the training and methodology taught to its members. Your guarantee of a satisfactory service is the Society’s much sought after qualification as a Registered Qualified Saddle Fitter.
These pages explain the importance of balance and fit for both you and your horse. A small cost for regular check-ups on your saddle is the route to savings worth hundreds of pounds in corrective treatments if you get it wrong.
Using a Society of Master Saddlers' Registered Qualified Saddle Fitter assures knowledgeable and professional service of the highest standard.
The Society instituted and continues to operate and monitor their professional saddle fitting qualification which is available to UK and international candidates. The qualification has been approved by the City & Guilds London Institute / NPTC, an internationally and UK government recognised awarding body.
Your Society of Master Saddlers' Qualified Saddle Fitter wants to provide a professional service based on knowledge and integrity.
Purchasing a saddle involves considerable expenditure and some important decisions. The saddle fitter is there to provide expertise, advice, help and information.
WHY USE A FITTER
Only a few years ago ‘saddle fitting’ was something in which the vast majority of horse owners displayed little interest. It was only when something went wrong that they called in the services of a saddle fitter – and even then, it could be somewhat reluctantly. By using a Society saddle fitter you are assured of the support of the Society in the unlikely event that you experience any problems with your new saddle.
Things have changed – and for the better. Today the riding public has far greater awareness of the important part the saddle plays in terms of welfare, comfort and success. A well-designed, well-made and well-fitting saddle is an excellent tool. A saddle that is poorly designed - or one that has inherent manufacturing defects - or one that doesn’t fit well is at best a hindrance, at worst, a disaster in the making.
As the most influential professional body in the world connected with saddlery, the Society has put enormous effort into improving saddle fitting standards including instituting what remains the only non-commercially linked saddle fitting qualification in the world. The qualification has been approved by City & Guilds / NPTC, a UK qualification awarding body, and is recognised by equine vets and physiotherapists and other professionals working in the equestrian industry. Before undertaking assessment, candidates for the qualification must have had an absolute minimum of three years’ saddle fitting experience. During the assessment candidates must prove ability to handle horses of different ages and temperaments. They must be able to age horses and describe them in detail, undertake back examinations and locate asymmetric development or sensitive or sore areas. They are required to assess horses walked and run up in hand and identify unlevel steps or lameness. Record keeping, including making wither templates, is also assessed. Above everything, candidates must prove ability to select and fit saddles for horses with widely varying conformation.
In 1999, in conjunction with the British Equestrian Trade Association (BETA), the Society launched a foundation course (now known as the Introductory Course) to promote greater understanding of the basic principles of saddle fitting amongst vets, physiotherapists, BHS Fellows and Instructors and others working within the equestrian industry. More recently application has been extended to those holding the BHS AI and II certificates. Attendance is compulsory for those wishing to progress to the certification course.
In 2000 the Society took a further important step when, with a view to extending expertise in other countries and so improving equine welfare, it launched the Overseas Retailers Qualified Saddle Fitters’ Course. Applicants require recommendation from a UK saddle manufacturing member of the Society. As a result of this enterprise there are now Society qualified saddle fitters as far away as New Zealand and Australia.
The Society has played the major role in educating horse owners and riders about the importance of correctly fitting saddles and is always willing to contribute editorials for any type of equestrian feature and to provide advice in response to readers’ questions. There can be few horse owners who now fail to appreciate that the saddle – and the way it fits – is fundamentally important to the welfare, comfort and success of horse and rider. Likewise, there is now far greater understanding of why - and how - horses ‘change shape’. Thus a saddle that was an acceptable fit when it was purchased may require adjustment – in rare cases, even exchange – at a later date.
Prevention is always better than cure. In a big step forward, more and more horse owners are electing to have the fit of their saddles checked regularly in much the same way as they make regular appointments to have the animal’s teeth checked by an equine dentist.
One underlying factor continues to cause concern. Increased publicity has resulted in others ‘jumping on the bandwagon’ and the ‘second opinion’ is something with which SMS qualified saddle fitters are besieged. Second opinions may emanate from a variety of sources, some more unlikely than others! The recently qualified BHS assistant instructor, the horse owner’s best friend, the vet, the farrier, the physiotherapist... Uncle Tom Cobley and all. Holistic involvement benefits everyone and the vast majority of equestrian professionals and qualified saddle fitters work closely with one another but there is a vast difference between overlap and misappropriation. SMS qualified saddle fitters are professionals who wish to offer the best possible services but this can only be achieved when they are allowed to employ their expertise to the full and without hindrance.
The Society is proud of its reputation for expertise, high standards and integrity.
Continue reading
The Prolite Girth needs to be fitted correctly in order to ensure the maximum benefits. Follow these guidelines:
1. Prolite Girths are measured in the standard way - buckle end to buckle end.
2. They come in two sizes – narrow gauge and standard.
Narrow gauge girths are designed specifically to fit horses (and ponies) with a narrower rib cage.
If the flat area between the horse’s elbows measures less than 20cm, your horse needs the narrow gauge.
If you don't have a measuring tape, try one of the following methods to estimate what width girth your horse needs.
3. Make sure you fit the girth with the curved section facing forward (towards the forelimbs). The front of the girth is clearly marked.
4. The aim when fitting the Prolite Girth is to get the buckles away from the pressure-sensitive area behind the elbows – so fit the longest length possible. As a general rule, fit the girth’s top edge as close to the bottom edge of the saddlecloth as possible when fully tightened. Obviously, this depends on the size of the saddlecloth, so an alternative guide on a dressage saddle is to have just two billet holes remaining on both sides of the saddle.
5. Always girth up evenly on both sides.
6. DO NOT use the billet keeper. DO use the buckles
7. Don’t pull the horse’s front leg forward after girthing up
We have found that stretching the horse’s front leg like this simply draws more skin forward into the sensitive area behind the elbow.
8. It is not uncommon for there to be a gap a the front edge of the girth between the material and the horse’s sternum, particularly when the horse is standing still.
This is part of the design and the front edge of the girth is not supposed to fit tightly against the horse’s skin.
The Prolite girth has a ‘buffer zone’ which ‘floats’ and allows the muscles of the shoulder girdle to move under the girth, instead of being blocked by a hard edge of a normal girth.
As the horse moves and the body posture changes, the space will reduce and may disappear altogether when the muscle bulk is under the girth.
The gap at the front does not indicate that pressure has transferred to the back edge of the girth.
The magic material used in the Prolite Girth is renowned for its ability to wick away sweat, keeping the horse dry and comfortable. Proper care is essential to ensure the best performance and, fortunately, it couldn’t be more simple.
Here’s how you can keep the magic alive:
A build-up of dried sweat on the girth will interfere with the Prolite’s breathability. This may eventually cause the girth to lose its flexibility and become hard.
All that’s needed to maintain the girth is a bucket of water, plus a cloth or soft brush. A mild detergent can be added to the water it the girth is very dirty.
Simply dunk the girth in the water and use the cloth/brush to gently remove any stubborn grime or dirt. Remove as much water as possible with towel, then allow the girth to dry completely before using again.
