Welcome to EN’s Product Review series! Who doesn’t love shopping, especially when the object of your search is new gear for yourself or your horse? As an enthusiast of all products equine, I LOVE trying out new gear. Please join me as I narrate my personal journey of trying out all of the products featured. While I will make no recommendations, I hope you have fun reading about my many adventures of trying new products, and that hearing about my personal experiences helps you on your own quest for new gear. Go Shopping.
Saddle covers from Ziky Boutique are available in a "one size fits most" size; however, if you have a saddle that is large or has longer flaps, one can be custom made for you. Photo by Lorraine Peachey.
When I make an investment, I try to do what I can to protect and maintain said investment. Spending my hard earned dollars is not something that I take lightly. So I try to make sure that when I do make a large purchase, that I want it to remain in good condition and useful for as long as possible.
My first saddle was purchased just after my very first horse. Ripley has been with me for over a decade now…and so has my trusty saddle. That saddle was quite an investment at the time – so I made sure to clean it, and maintain it to the best of my ability. Which is why it still serves me well today.
Earlier this year, I invested in a new dressage saddle. And I found myself quite divided – on one hand, I felt like it was a thing of beauty that I was hesitant to break in. But on the other hand…oh, who am I kidding. I couldn’t wait to oil my new saddle and start breaking it in.
And I’ll admit it – I’ve also been a little obsessive when it comes to keeping my new saddle cleaned and protected. While I have no qualms about breaking it in—because after all, saddles are meant to be used, not just sit around and look pretty—I want to keep the leather from getting marked up as much as possible.
The small square Ziky labels are elegant looking, and are very subtle so as not to pull attention away from the pattern of the covers themselves. The labels are on the BACK SIDE of the stirrup iron covers (shown above) – Photo by Lorraine Peachey
So when my saddle is not in use, I’ve been keeping it covered with a custom fleece saddle cover and stirrup covers from Ziky Boutique. Which helps to put my mind at ease, because both help to protect my saddle while it is not in use.
The fleece saddle and stirrups covers were made to match, and come in a lovely red tartan plaid pattern. And I’m a total sucker for plaid, because it is so classic looking. The fleece is a non-pill fabric, that is also mildew resistant—so not only is my saddle protected from dust and from being brushed against…it is also being guarded against mildew when not in use.
Fleece saddle and stirrup covers from Ziky Boutique are also MADE IN THE USA – which makes me happy, because I personally like to support local American businesses. Saddle covers are available in a ‘one size fits most’ size; however, if you have a saddle that is large or has longer flaps, one can be custom made for you.
I found working with Ziky to be a super easy and enjoyable process. My dressage saddle has a fairly deep seat – so I simply just took measurements of my saddle when working with Ziky to have my saddle’s cover created just to fit.
I was also delighted to find that I also had the option to be able to have the set of Ziky Boutique covers monogrammed – Photo by Lorraine Peachey
And it was just as easy to have the stirrup iron covers created as well. Fleece stirrup iron covers ordered from Ziky are made out of the same mildew resistant fleece as the saddle cover, and they come in a standard size of 7″W x 10″L.
In my case, I was concerned about the fit of the fleece stirrup covers for use over my wide tread stirrup irons. So again, I simply took measurements for the width, depth and height of the irons, and then sent them over to Ziky Boutique – and they made covers to fit my wide tread irons!
Along with being able to have the saddle and stirrup covers made to fit my deep seat dressage saddle and wide tread irons, I was also delighted to find that I also had the option to be able to have the set monogrammed. Of the various patterns to pick from, I thought that an Old English type of font would look terrific – I simply made this suggestion to Ziky, and was given styles to pick from!
When the fleece saddle and stirrup iron covers arrived, I was very pleased with the quality of the set. Of course, I couldn’t wait to slip them on my saddle and irons to see how they look. When I slipped the cover over the saddle, the elastic around the edges helped it to hug nicely around my saddle – and the red tartan plaid really does look fabulous in person! There is also a hook for the cover when it is not in use.
Fleece saddle and stirrup covers from Ziky Boutique are also MADE IN THE USA – which makes me happy, because I personally like to support local American businesses – Photo by Lorraine Peachey
I also like the fleece stirrup covers as well – their design makes them easy to slip over my irons. The top of the cover has elastic, so I simply stretch the opening wide enough to slip over my irons, and then the elastic helps to hold them in place.
And the small, square Ziky Boutique labels add a lovely finishing touch to both the saddle and stirrup irons covers. They are elegant looking, and are very subtle so as not to pull attention away from the pattern of the covers themselves.
The fleece saddle cover is machine washable in cold water, on the gentle cycle, and it can be put in to tumble dry. The stirrup covers are machine washable in warm water, with no bleach, and can be tumble dry low.
The fleece saddle cover retails for $39.95, while the stirrup covers retail for $15.50. Which means that for around $55.00, you can bring home your own set of matching fleece saddle and stirrup iron covers that are MADE IN THE USA from Ziky Boutique.
Go Made-to-Fit Saddle & Stirrup Covers (that protect your saddle while looking fab!). Go Ziky Boutique. Go Eventing.
