On purchasing your new saddle taking proper care of it will prolong the life, look and durability - and keep it looking like new for a lot longer.

Recommendations for saddle care - Good management and care of your saddle will prolong the life and strength of the leather for your comfort and safety

Oil your saddle - On purchasing your saddle use good quality neats foot oil. This will soften and protect the leather. Apply a couple of times initially then once a month thereafter to waterproof.

Clean your saddle - it should be wiped over after each use with a glycerine saddle soap to prevent the build up of grease and dirt. Don't forget to clean and feed the under side of the flaps and girth straps.

Condition your saddle - by using a good leather conditioner on a regular basis this will protect, waterproof and feed the leather keeping it soft and supple. This will prevent the leather from drying out and cracking and also stop too much moisture from getting into the leather. We recommend this is done once a week.

Dry it naturally - If your saddle gets very wet allow it to dry naturally, do not put it by artificial heat. Once dry apply either oil or conditioner to the saddle. It may take a couple of applications to bring back its former shine.

Saddle cover - the saddle should wear a saddle cover when not in use to protect against scratches, knocks and bumps.

Be careful where you put your saddle - it shouldn't be put on doors, fences or gates without padding as this will mark and wear the gullet leather. Or directly on to concrete or leant against a wall as this will damage the leather on the cantle and the pommel.

There are a number of reasons for getting back ache when riding, it’s a common problem that most horse riders think is part of the riding experience, this does not need to be the case.

When saddle fitting a common problem is, ‘My saddle slips to one side, how can I fix it?’
A rider can have a crooked pelvis from a fall, or another accident, or just because they sleep in a position that pulls the pelvis to one side. Over a period of time, even if their horse is fairly straight and correct in its skeletal and musculature structure, the rider will eventually make the horse crooked to fit their own unevenness. The same thing can happen with a straight rider and a crooked horse. To fix the problem, it is best to get the horse and rider treated at the same time.

If horse and rider are both straight and the rider gets backache, then the saddle balance and fit will need looking at. Saddles tipping back because they are too tight makes the riders' backs work very hard to re-address their position and soreness can occur.

Horses can require remedial saddle fitting for a number of reasons and many back problems in horses are caused by badly fitting saddles, which over time may cause pain, discomfort and muscle wastage, sometimes resulting in behavioural problems, lameness and poor performance.

What would cause a horse to be called a Remedial Horse?

1. Previous ill fitting tack - this can sometimes result in white hairs, muscle atrophy and even behaviour problems.
2. Injury that has caused uneven muscle development.
3. Poor conformation for saddle fitting (i.e. a heavyweight cob with a short back , which is croup high - so there is only a small part of the horses back that is level to sit a saddle on. This can be challenging with a tall or heavier rider.)
4. Over time, crooked riders can cause uneven muscle development or muscle atrophy.
5. Arthritis, or similar degenerative conditions, and ongoing health issues that have caused the horse or rider to compensate in his or her movement, which may result in the saddle being moved to one side while being ridden.

Dealing with the remedial horse

1. If the horse or rider is crooked they will need to be treated by a back specialist before being fitted for a saddle.
2. The horse may require a ‘correction’ numnah (or similar) while the back repairs. As the horse's back starts to repair, it may become sensitive as the blood flow returns to the damaged muscles.
3. The saddle will need regular checks as the horse's back repairs, some will change in a matter of weeks, and some will take considerably longer. It is advisable to get the fitter out as soon as you notice any changes.

When a new saddle is fitted, the horse should be able to move more freely. It is important to work him gently for the first week or two, i.e. do not go hunting for 4 hours on a new saddle! Let it bed in and let the horse get used to being able to move all his muscles in a different way, as excessive work may cause him discomfort even if he is happy to work hard.

Some horses muscles can change considerably in a matter of weeks and sometimes it can be very slow and gradual. It depends on the breed of horse and the type and amount of work it is doing. If the horse has damage under the saddle area, the front can often repair first, so if the saddle starts to tip backwards, ask the Saddle Fitting Specialist to visit and if needed to adjust the saddle. The area at the back of the saddle can sometimes repair last and, once there is recovery to the topline, the saddle should be checked as it might need reflocking and widening to accomodate the new shape.

Fitting saddles to show ponies and horses is an art in itself as the saddle must complement the overall picture of the pony, while fit to perfection - allowing the animal to display its best movement, while ensuring the rider is kept in the best position.

Many showing competitors have distinct expectations of how a saddle should look on a horse, preferring the minimal look – the smallest saddle possible that sits in as closely to the horse as possible, and as far behind the shoulder as possible. And, if your horse is long backed, or has a less than perfect shoulder, then saddle placement is crucial. Traditionally showing saddles have been constructed with minimal seats and blocks - and thin panels enable the saddle to sit in closely. A saddle tree must, by its very nature, have a curve to it, and often a much greater curve than shown in the back of many show horses, especially ponies and natives.

How many of you know that there is a slight rock to your saddle, but figure that the tree is the right width, and it looks right, so you’ll stick with it? This rock, and the very thin panels on many show saddles, creates an issue that is most prevalent in show horses – distinct indentations under the rear of the panels. Look closely at your horses’ and ponies’ backs – can you see a distinct shadow or highlight, where the panels would sit? When you run your hands firmly along the back do they sink slightly into the back at this point? A healthy back should be muscled and consistent in feel and appearance.

So how do we both avoid this issue in the first place, or then overcome it and help our horse to regain a healthy back?
Firstly, when having a new saddle fitted, ensure that it is the right width at the front - but also that it sits level, with the rider able to sit in the slightly flat part of the seat which is designed to be the lowest part. If the saddle is too low at the back the rider’s weight will also be at the back. Then, make sure someone with a good eye can be there to look at the saddle being ridden in before you are committed to the purchase. If it lifts at the back in trot then the saddle isn’t working.

A flatter saddle than you might predict, perhaps even a narrower saddle than you might think, will help in many cases. Look for really flat panels – a gusset at the back is almost certainly necessary with a flocked panel to achieve that flat shape – look for a similar shape in a foam panel. These panels may look like more saddle than many of you may be used to – but saddles of these designs are winning at the very top level, and with a jockey in the plate can look much more in proportion than the traditional minimal saddles.

If your horse already has a damaged back?
Rest assured, in many cases it can and will improve. We need to increase blood flow to the area which means not only finding a saddle that fits the horse’s natural healthy shape, but that the horse’s back is cushioned from the impact of any movement in the saddle. In some cases a flat tree, and a wide flat panel, sympathetically flocked, is enough to help the muscle regenerate. In many others, the back has developed such softness that the back of the saddle will still sink and bounce, even with the right saddle.

Instead of providing a really deep panel which will only sit into the damaged part of the back, a correction pad such as that made by Mattes, should be used. A wool fleece lining helps with concussion absorption and stable felt shims allow ultimate adjustability. Allow your saddler to guide you as to the best way to set up a pad like this. It will usually be used to lift the back of the saddle to bring it level and minimise bounce at the same time cushioning the back. Any asymmetry can also be helped with this pad.Where there is damage under the panels we usually see corresponding softness under the points of the saddle (ie the “forward” part of the rocking causes this) and this usually heals first – some of the bounce may go, but the saddle may sit down at the back again – seek the advice of your saddler to help bring it back into balance as the horse changes shape.

Clearly if the back does recover it will put on muscle and may bulk out considerably – a damaged back not only needs help from physical therapists such as chiropractors, massage therapists etc, but will also need regular saddle checks to ensure the saddle is not preventing further recovery. Make sure you like your saddler as he or she will be a regular visitor!

The Matthew Lawrence Comfort Saddle by Saddle Exhange
In 2007, South West based rider, Mathew Lawrence, won NPS Baileys Mountain and Moorland Supreme Ridden Championship on Jackie Webb's Connemara stallion, Bunowen Castle Ri, with whom he also won in 2005. In the past, Mathew has won Horse of the Year Show eight times and won Olympia once again in 2009 with Anne Mitchell's Dunedin Marksman.

Mathew was riding Ri on the very first Comfort Mathew Lawrence Saddle, a saddle that had been especially made for him by Saddle Exchange Ltd. Mathew has for many years ridden on The Native Pony Saddle Company saddles. “We wanted to make a saddle that would look exactly as Mathew wanted but also give him and the judges support and comfort.” said Dean Woodward from Saddle Exchange. Mathew said of Native Pony Saddles, “Ri had been wearing a Native Pony saddle which allows freedom of movement through the shoulder and wither, as well as promoting softness through the back, which is important in any horse, especially a show one”.

In addition to the Comfort Mathew Lawrence saddle, Saddle Exchange offers a Comfort mini Mathew Lawrence saddle for ponies. Both saddles can be fitted by one of Saddle Exchange saddle fitting specialists located all over the UK (Tel 0844 800 8564 or visit www.saddleexchange.com)

The purchase of a saddle is the single most significant one you'll make after buying a horse. Buying a saddle is a serious financial commitment but with so many saddles on the market, making a the right choice can be a minefield.

Considering your saddle as a long term asset can assist in your decision. Buying a saddle that can be infinitely adjusted can save you money in the longer term. Few saddles will take your horse on a journey from the first day you sit on him until the end of your time together. A Reactor Panel Saddle can do this. We all have great hopes for our horses but one cannot expect a horse to perform to the best of his ability unless his saddle fits him. However, to ride your horse to the best of your ability, you, the rider, need to be comfortable and secure and the saddle must fit you too. It is surprising how much easier it is to look good on a horse when sitting on the right saddle!

The Reactor Panel saddle design is based upon the military saddle used by the British Army in two World Wars. The original design has been significantly refined using modern materials to produce a traditional looking saddle that is almost infinitely adjustable. The ‘panel part’ of the saddle is independent from the ‘rider part’. So it is possible to provide a saddle solution for the small rider partnering an extremely large horse, or vice versa; with Reactor Panel, both parties can achieve the perfect fit – over and over again.

Horses go well in Reactor Panel saddles. Riders trying them for the first time feel the freedom of movement immediately - the stride lengthens and gait improves noticeably, particularly in extended trot. Some horses offer a more controlled and balanced canter. Most horses move more freely downhill. This is because the large flexible panels maximise the weight-bearing surface, distributing pressure over the widest possible area so the horse carries the saddle more comfortably. Different panel lengths ensure that the system can accommodate average, long or short backed horses.

The freedom in the shoulder is a direct result of the design. ReactorPanel is designed so that the front edge of the panel deliberately rests over the scapula or shoulder blade (this part of the panel is non weight bearing). The tree points are specially shortened to end above the bony mass of the scapula. When the shoulders rotate backwards, they slide easily under the panels without encountering rigid resistance.

The connection between the saddle and the panel is made with four shock-absorbing ‘Sorbothane’ discs. Sorbothane is a dense patented rubber designed to isolate vibration while absorbing energy and impact. The discs come in three thicknesses, allowing almost infinite repositioning to custom fit the saddle. The panels and shock absorbing discs follow the changing contours of the back in motion. The panels undulate with the back under the centre of the saddle. Independently attached, the panels compress and flex on either side of the horse’s spine in response to the back motion.

No other saddle has this system, which absorbs shock and concussion whilst moving with the horse’s back, flexing as the horse moves.

A ReactorPanel Saddle offers supreme comfort and fit for both horse and rider
From her base in Devon, Lucinda McAlpine, International Dressage Rider, works with an ever increasing number of riders from all disciplines Lucinda searched for years to find a saddle that would enable her Advanced Dressage horses to execute the difficult movements she asked of them. Having found RP saddles, she would not now ride on anything else. She says, “I work a great deal with young horses or horses undergoing rehabilitation and I consider my Reactor Panel Saddles as invaluable tools – whereas a conventional saddle is just a saddle, this is an advanced riding device!”

Working with Saddle Exchange Limited, Lucinda helped create the Lucinda McAlpine Dressage Saddle. The Lucinda McAlpine dressage saddle has been designed for a more classical riding position, the saddle holds your legs in the correct position. It is made out of Memel leather for the comfortable close contact feel. The knee blocks are large and adjustable to fine tune the fit to your individual riding needs. Saddle Exchange Limited also offers the Christine Yeoman Endurance Saddle, which has special features to enhance the experience of the endurance rider.