Safety

The safety checks before every ride

4 minEasyBefore every ride

These are the thirty seconds worth more than the whole maintenance routine. You do not need a printed checklist: you need to do them every time, in the same order, until they become automatic.

GirthingStirrupsWear

Checking the girth straps before mounting

1
Girth straps and girth
Check that the billets are buckled on the same holes left and right, and that the girth shows no cracking, stretched elastic or open stitching. Check the symmetry: it is the first sign that something has moved.
A girth strap with cracked leather, or a hole that has stretched, gets replaced — not postponed.
Macro of the girth straps and the buckles
2
Stirrups and stirrup leathers
Leathers at the same length, buckles closed and pulled home, irons the right size for your boot — three to four centimetres of clearance in total. Check where the leather attaches to the saddle as well, and the state of the Velcro where there is any.
Checking the length and the buckles of the stirrup leathers
3
Velcro and fastenings
Press right round the edge of the seat and the flaps: the Velcro must be fully and evenly engaged. Velcro loaded with hair loses its hold — clean it out with a soft wire brush.
Pressing along the edge of the seat to check the Velcro is holding
4
Stitching and hardware
A quick look over the stitching, the D-rings and the attachment points. Look for pulled threads, rings that have gone out of shape and signs of corrosion. These checks take five seconds and head off the serious repairs.
5
When to stop and call us
Open stitching at load-bearing points, cracked girth straps, distorted rings, a base that has lost its symmetry: in these cases you do not go out. Write to us with a few photographs and we will work out together whether it is a repair in the atelier or a warranty job.
Always photograph the fault before you touch it: it speeds up the atelier's assessment.

The same order of checks, every single time
Left/right symmetry on girth straps and stirrup leathers
A photograph of the fault before any work is done

Don't

Putting off the replacement of a worn girth strap
Riding out with Velcro that is dirty or only partly engaged
Repairing load-bearing stitching with makeshift fixes

Questions about this guide

There is no fixed interval: it depends on use and on care. The criterion is condition — cracked leather, stretched holes or stitching that has given way mean immediate replacement.

For work on structural parts it is better to come through the atelier: a repair that is not to specification can void the warranty. Write to us before you go ahead and we will point you to the quickest route.

Still unsure?

Send us a photo: we'll look at your case and tell you how to proceed.

Contact the atelier Frequently asked questions