When should you replace your saddle's girth straps?
Girth straps are under heavy strain every time you ride. As soon as the leather stretches, cracks or the buckle holes become misshapen, replacing them is essential for a secure girth fitting.
- English saddles: the girth straps for NORTON CLUB "Rexine Evol" general-purpose saddles, for NORTON CLUB "Rexine Evol" close contact saddles, ERIC THOMAS "Advance" and NORTON PRO (in standard or pony versions) offer a reliable replacement.
- Western riding: the WESTRIDE by EXCELSIOR hole-style latigo and the WESTRIDE by EXCELSIOR tie-style latigo suit American-style cinch fittings.
- Comfort and security: the ERIC THOMAS PRO girth strap extender makes up for a short girth, while the NORTON PRO "Supergrip" saddle handle and the NORTON CLUB saddle strap help keep the rider secure in the saddle.
How do you adjust the gullet and support your leg with saddle knee blocks?
Fitting the saddle to the withers keeps the horse's shoulders free. To find the ideal width, the WINTEC EASY-CHANGE® Standard and XL gullet gauge or the NORTON gullet gauge helps you identify the right part.
- Gullet plates: the WINTEC EASY-CHANGE® gullet plate, NORTON and NORTON PRO models, or an Eric Thomas gullet (the interchangeable gullet plate for ERIC THOMAS FITTER or ERIC THOMAS HYBRID saddles) let you adjust the tree width to your horse's conformation.
- Leg support: to fine-tune the stability of your lower leg, fitting removable saddle blocks gives you a personalised position. WINTEC blocks come as the WINTEC Flexibloc® Jump and General-Purpose front block, Jump and General-Purpose rear block, Dressage front block and Dressage front banana block.
Which saddle bags should you choose for hacking and trail riding?
Heading out means carrying your kit without unbalancing your horse. Fitting a saddle bag to the cantle or pommel keeps your essentials within reach.
- Short rides: a compact saddle bag holds the small essentials. It goes on quickly and stays stable in all three paces.
- Trail riding: for a longer route, a roomy trekking saddle bag gives you enough space. Riders using trekking saddle bags take care to distribute the load evenly on both sides.
- Saddle luggage: the QHP saddle bags offer several practical compartments. A well-secured saddle bag completes your saddle accessories without pressing on the loins.
How do you kit out your saddle, from Camargue tradition to sparkly bling?
Our Provençal roots naturally connect us with local equestrian traditions, as well as with the refinement of competition riding.
- Camargue tack: to keep the head carriage in check during work, the Camargue martingale remains essential. ACAMPADO offers the traditional Camargue martingale in 5 mm buffalo leather and the Camargue martingale in rope and leather for display, along with the leather Camargue courrejon and the leather Camargue martingale strap.
- Decorative touches: for riders who like a bit of sparkle, fitting a saddle jewel on the cantle adds a glittering note. QHP offers the "Verveine" Saddle Charm, the "Macey" Saddle Charm, the Madelon saddle jewel, the Lupine crystal saddle jewel and the Sharina full saddle jewel, to match the QHP Bernice crystal stirrup leather covers.
- Protection and comfort: the QHP waterproof saddle cover shelters your tack from the weather, the RIDING WORLD cotton saddle cover and the EQUITHÈME fleece saddle cover protect the saddle in the stable, while the QHP Super Soft seat saver adds seating comfort.