At GFS we only use traditional leathers, developed especially for saddle-making.

These leathers are natural, so colour blemishes, marks and scars are part of the natural beauty of the leather and are not a fault.

For this reason, care of the leather and consideration in use is crucial to the performance of your GFS saddle.

The life of your saddle is dependent upon maintaining the natural oils and greases in the leather.

We only recommend, using ‘natural‘ products on your GFS saddle and those specially designed for use with ‘equestrian leathers‘, not those associated with the care and or cleaning of ‘car seats and or leathers designed for home use.

You MUST NOT use a ‘spray cleaner‘ when cleaning.

CLEANING

To clean we recommend wiping with a ‘damp cloth/sponge‘ to remove dirt and debris that may otherwise, scratch the surface of the leather, and then clean with a ‘glycerine saddle soap.

Cleaning should take place, once a week (dependent upon use) or after use in an environment where the riding surface is disturbed and rises onto your saddle.

To maintain the natural suppleness of the leather, we recommend the following:

PRIOR TO FIRST USE

You MUST, dress your saddle with NAF Shere Luxe ‘Leather Balsam‘ as this rich wax– based Balsam will enrich the leather of your new saddle prior to use.

An alternative reputable brand is acceptable.

You should liberally dress and leave overnight, to ensure maximum penetration into the leather, which will both seal in moisture and protect your saddle.

STIRRUP LEATHERS

You MUST NOT, use either ‘synthetic‘ stirrup leathers or those with a nylon face, they will act as an abrasive to the surface of the leather.

We also recommend that a good quality leather girth be used, rather than one made from any kind of fabric or synthetic material.

ONGOING CARE

After cleaning, weekly, you should replenish and rejuvenate the moisture content of the leather.

Lightly dress the surface with the Balsam, to maintain moisture content and protection.

ESPECIALLY take EXTRA care in high-wear areas, such as:

• Areas that are in contact with girth buckles and Billet straps.
• Friction rub areas, such as where the stirrup leathers rub on the Flap.
• If your saddle leathers are treated in this way, you should over time, achieve the traditional beauty of an age-worked saddle, and expect many years of excellent service.

CLOTHING & COLOUR LOSS

It is normal, especially if the surface of the leather is ‘damp‘, to experience some colour loss onto your breeches.

For this reason, we recommend that appropriate clothing is selected, especially when the saddle is new, and has received treatment with a leather care product.

Once the saddle has been used once or twice, most of this colour loss should disappear, unless the saddle surface has been made ‘damp‘ after cleaning.

WARRANTY

All saddles have a serial number that starts with the year of manufacture.

This document is dated January 2025 and as of this date, the following applies.

Any saddle with a prefix of 21 or prior is no longer covered by warranty.

Category: 1 Saddles NOT registered with us when sold.

We would normally offer a twelve-month (One-Year) warranty on all parts from the date of sale, which would require

• proof of purchase showing the date, the seller, and references unique to the saddle.

We reserve the right to replace parts and expect you to support us in this situation (subject to fair use etc)

Category: 2 Saddles ARE registered with us when sold.

Pre–fix 22 – 24 inclusive

We will offer a

• 24-month (Two-Year) warranty on parts from the date of sale
• 36-month (Three-Year) warranty on the saddle tree.

We reserve the right to replace parts and expect you to support us in this situation (subject to fair use etc).

Pre–fix 25 or later

We will offer

• 36-month (THREE-YEAR) warranty from the date of sale on parts
• 60-month (Five Year) warranty on the saddle tree.

We reserve the right to replace parts and expect you to support us in this situation (subject to fair use etc).

WHAT IS NOT COVERED by your WARRANTY:

• GFS is unable to cover wear and tear especially cosmetic wear due to everyday use
• Accidental damage
• Fault created by negligence and or not following our care guidelines
• The Fit of the saddle itself
• Use of the saddle in an inappropriate way for something not related to Horse Riding
• Labour charges – associated labour charges to diagnose dismantle reassemble repair, or replace the part(s) which are not covered
• Your warranty is NOT an insurance scheme and does not extend to any loss or consequential loss or damage

YOUR WARRANTY IS INVALIDATED IF:

• Repairs or adjustments to the original product are made by a third party not by an Approved GFS repair centre or by us.
• Modifications are made to the product that changes the design and function of the product.
• Parts are used that are not original GFS parts or recommended- approved by us for use with our products.
• Maintenance and care procedures are not followed.
• Water damage or ingress.
• You are NOT the original owner of the saddle and are NOT the person registered as owning the saddle.