Did you know? A common culprit for saddle damage...Your saddle rack!
Your saddle spends most of its precious life sitting on your saddle rack, and metal saddle racks (shown below) imprint on the panels and dent the flocking.
What the Flock?
The flocking and panels on your saddle is a really crucial element to your horses comfort. Poor flocking which is lumpy, hard or has gaps is very uncomfortable for your horse. Sadly, the very place you store your saddle is actually harming it!
*Great info HERE on flocking and why it's so important.
Any damage/denting to the flocking will mean that you will have to have it reflocked before selling it/using it again in the future which of course means more expense. "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure."
Have a look at your saddle on the rack? Is it resting on a rounded metal tube with all of the weight of the saddle being supported only by a few places in your panels?
Pool noodle to the rescue! And some other ideas as well...
Protecting Your Panels
Pool Noodles or Pipe Insulation – very inexpensive and provides 6 months ~ 1year of protection (then needs replacing). Wrap the foam around the metal tube and allow your saddle to sit on a cushion – which greatly reduces the panel indentation.
TIP: I personally LOVE this hack - I grab pool noodles at Job Lot when I see them and keep them on hand to change them out when needed. I slice the noodle with an razor blade knife and attach it, secure it with a few zip-ties at the base, and careful that the ties don't hit the saddle. My pics below of our dressage saddle that spends A LOT of time on the saddle rack.
You can do it this way too:
Yoga/Pilates Mat – Cut up an old yoga or pilates mat and wrap it around the rack to provide a long term cushion, drastically reduces the panel indentation.
Alternate Saddle Rack – Ideally nothing should come in contact with your saddle’s panels except your horse’s back. A saddle rack that supports the saddle down the channel and allows the panels to ‘float’ is the best way to preserve your panels and the fit of your saddle. There are several basic designs that allow this and you could also wrap them in foam for added protection.
I also really like:
It fits in our tack locker under the saddle rack (we have two saddles) and has storage. It also fits nicely in the back of the car! Yes- it's pricey. But it's really well made and there aren't too many alternatives.
There are pricier options as well...
Designed to fit a standard English Saddle Rack*, SaddleMattress Supreme features a central ridge that fits within the gullet of a saddle and offers a double layer of protection. In addition, the zippered cover can be customized with your logo. For your convenience, the cover can also be removed for laundering or spruced up to remove dust with a damp cloth or lint roller.
CAUTION: Stacking Saddle pads alone often does not provide enough protection and it is wise to use one of the options above.
Whatever you choose to do, do it today! Save that saddle! Equipment is expensive and these options are easy, and easy on the wallet as compared to reflocking or buying new.
Show pics of your saddle-saving tack hacks! What have YOU learned and can share with the group?
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