Why should you use a saddle cover?
What is a saddle cover?
A horse saddle cover is essentially a piece of material that is placed over and around your saddle to protect it during storage, transport and from the elements!
Saddle covers can be made from many different materials. From funky patterned fleece ones, cottons ones, up to the very protective saddle covers with a waterproof outer. You can even get ride on covers!
Most brand new saddles come with a saddle brand cover, but what if you are buying your saddle second hand? Or you don't feel your current cover offers enough protection? Keep reading to see how The Saddle Bank can come to your saddles rescue!
When should you use a saddle cover?
Every saddle should have a saddle cover to keep it clean, dust and dirt free, and to protect it from knocks and scratches. Generally saddle covers are used to cover and protect your saddle whilst it is not being used in your tack room. They can also be used to help keep your saddle clean and safe during transport. Or even to just keep the rain off your seat as you walk to the mounting block, because lets face it does anyone really enjoy getting on a damp saddle? Let alone the damage getting wet could potentially cause your saddle.
After spending time cleaning and conditioning your saddle, your saddle cover will help to keep of the dust and dirt and keep it cleaner for longer.
Why should you use a saddle cover?
The same reasons as why you wear a riding hat, or boot/bandage your horses legs, or keep your riding boots in a boot bag. In other words it's all about protecting your saddle.
In monetary value a better looked after saddle that has been kept with a protective saddle cover on it is going to hold its value better than one without. For instance it might get scratched whilst tacking up or scuffed whilst putting it in the car or lorry. Thus reducing it's resale value. The number of secondhand saddles with scuffs on the cantle is astounding! How does this happen? People lean them against the wall, and they get knocked and scuffed.
If you compete in showing, where turnout is paramount you'll be wanting to keep you tack in immaculate condition. It is a part of your discipline being well turned out with well looked after tack. You spend hours bathing your horse and rug them up to keep them clean so why wouldn't you do the same with your saddle once you've cleaned it?
What are the best quality saddle covers?
We believe that the best quality saddle covers should feature three definite traits;
- Strong elastic to keep the it in place around your saddle and not lose its shape,
- A fleece lining to give that extra layer of protection to your saddle
- A waterproof outer to protect from rain, drizzle and damp.
At The Saddle Bank the team became very aware that most second hand saddles don't come with their original saddle covers, and the ones that do come with a cover are very poor quality and offer little protection to the saddle. We wanted to help our customers keep their lovely new (or used) saddles safe and protected. Therefore, we designed our very own Luxury Waterproof Fleece Lined Protective Saddle Cover.
Available in black with gold/yellow binding or black with silver/grey binding our cover has all 3 of our key features plus a few more!
- Waterproof outer
- Fleece lined
- Strong elastic
- Extra material in the cantle area to allow for the bigger cantles/deeper seats commonly found on dressage saddles
- High quality materials
- One size - Fits Dressage/GP/Jump saddles
- Branded with our extremely smart The Saddle Bank Logo
- Machine washable
- Hand made in Walsall, England - The home of saddlery!
This saddle cover truly is the ideal saddle cover for your saddle. People often ask for branded saddle covers to match the brand of their saddle. However, many brands use cheap cotton or fleece covers, which are thin, have poor elastic and offer little to no protection. The Saddle Bank Luxury cover is of superior quality and design to ensure your saddle stays in tip top condition.
Click here to buy yours now... you won't be disappointed!
How else can you protect your saddle?
You can take protecting your saddle one step further with The Saddle Banks luxury stirrup covers. They match your saddle cover perfectly and slip on and off your stirrups. These are a must have to protect your saddle flaps from scratches from your stirrups. Sand, dirty and mud from your boots will cover your stirrups. Without thinking you then roll your stirrups up, and debris is then landing straight onto your saddle flap.
It you have 'Cheese grater' stirrups this adds a furter element of risk to your saddle flaps as they can easily scratch the leather.
Shop matching stirrup covers here.
