Warranty Policy
Effective Date: 1 August 2026
Our Commitment to Quality
Thank you for choosing Free Rider Saddlery.
We take great pride in designing and manufacturing premium saddles that provide exceptional comfort, performance and longevity for both horse and rider.
Every Free Rider saddle is carefully handcrafted using premium materials and expert workmanship. We stand behind the quality of our products and are committed to supporting our customers throughout the life of their saddle.
This Warranty Policy explains what is covered, what is not covered, and how to make a warranty claim.
Australian Consumer Law
Our goods come with guarantees that cannot be excluded under the Australian Consumer Law.
You are entitled to a replacement or refund for a major failure and compensation for any other reasonably foreseeable loss or damage.
You are also entitled to have the goods repaired or replaced if they fail to be of acceptable quality and the failure does not amount to a major failure.
The benefits provided under this warranty are in addition to your rights and remedies under the Australian Consumer Law.
Warranty Commencement
Your warranty begins on the date your Free Rider saddle is delivered.
Any repair, replacement or refund provided under this Warranty Policy does not extend or renew the original warranty period.
Warranty Coverage
Leather Components
Private Use
For private riders, the leather components of your saddle are covered by a 12-month warranty against defects in materials and workmanship.
Private use is generally defined as:
• Riding one or two horses.
• Up to six rides per week.
• Approximately one to two hours per ride.
Commercial & Professional Use
Commercial or professional use includes, but is not limited to:
• Riding schools.
• Lesson horses.
• Trail riding businesses.
• Breakers.
• Retrainers.
• Endurance riders.
• Saddles regularly used on multiple horses.
Under these conditions, the leather components of the saddle are covered by a six (6) month warranty against manufacturing defects.
Five-Year Tree Warranty
The structural saddle tree is covered by a five (5) year warranty against defects in materials or workmanship.
The saddle tree forms the foundation of the saddle and is designed to provide stability and support for both horse and rider.
Where a warranty claim is made relating to the saddle tree, the saddle will undergo professional assessment to determine whether the issue is the result of a manufacturing defect or external damage.
What Is Covered
This warranty covers manufacturing defects including:
• Defective workmanship.
• Stitching defects.
• Structural defects in the saddle tree.
• Premature failure of materials under normal use.
• Defects in materials used during manufacture.
As leather is a natural product, slight variations in colour, grain and texture are normal characteristics and are not considered defects.
Factory seconds, discontinued products and prototype saddles are sold outside of standard production specifications and are not covered by this Warranty Policy unless otherwise required by Australian Consumer Law.
Approved Repairs
To maintain the integrity of your saddle, all warranty assessments, repairs, flocking adjustments and alterations must be completed by a Free Rider Saddlery Approved Repair Centre.
Our Approved Repair Centres are independent businesses with extensive experience repairing many leading saddlery brands and have been selected because of their expertise.
A current list of Approved Repair Centres is available by contacting:
📧 info@freeridingnz.com
Repairs, alterations or modifications carried out by persons not approved by Free Rider Saddlery may void this warranty where those repairs, alterations or modifications contribute to or cause the defect or damage being claimed.
Saddle Fit
Every horse and rider combination is unique.
Saddle fit may change over time due to factors including:
• Muscle development.
• Fitness.
• Age.
• Workload.
• Weight changes.
• Rehabilitation.
• Rider balance and position.
Recommendations provided by Free Rider Saddlery are based on the information available at the time of purchase.
Free Rider Saddlery recognises that saddle fitting is not an exact science and that qualified saddle fitters and equestrian professionals may occasionally hold differing opinions regarding saddle fit.
For this reason, differing professional opinions alone do not constitute a manufacturing defect or grounds for a warranty claim.
Regular saddle fit assessments are recommended throughout the life of your saddle.
What Is Not Covered
This warranty does not cover:
• Normal wear and tear.
• Accidental damage.
• Misuse or neglect.
• Incorrect cleaning or maintenance.
• Mould.
• UV damage.
• Water damage.
• Exposure to harsh environmental conditions.
• Carrying the saddle by monkey straps.
• Stacking saddles.
• Incorrect storage.
• Unsuitable saddle racks.
• Damage caused by accessories not approved by Free Rider Saddlery.
• Use of the saddle for purposes other than equestrian riding.
• Changes in saddle fit resulting from changes in the horse or rider.
• Routine flocking adjustments.
• Gullet adjustments.
• Damage resulting from continued use after a fault has been identified.
As horses naturally change shape throughout their lives, routine saddle fit adjustments, flocking and maintenance remain the responsibility of the owner.
Making a Warranty Claim
Step 1
Cease using the saddle immediately to prevent further damage or safety risks.
Step 2
Notify Free Rider Saddlery by email within 14 days of discovering the suspected defect.
📧 info@freeridingnz.com
Step 3
Provide:
• Proof of purchase.
• Saddle serial number (where applicable).
• Photographs of the issue.
• A detailed description of the concern.
Step 4
Free Rider Saddlery will advise whether the saddle should be returned to one of our Approved Repair Centres for assessment.
Where practical, saddles should be delivered or posted within seven (7) days of receiving return instructions.
Step 5
Once assessed, Free Rider Saddlery will determine whether the issue is covered by this warranty.
If approved, we will repair or replace the affected component, at our discretion.
Where the assessment determines the issue is not covered by this warranty, the owner may be responsible for reasonable assessment or repair costs.
Product Safety
Every rider is responsible for regularly inspecting their tack before every ride.
This includes checking:
• Stirrup leathers.
• Webbers.
• Girths.
• Billets.
• Girth points.
• Stitching.
• Leather condition.
Any tack involved in an accident or showing signs of excessive wear should be replaced immediately for the safety of both horse and rider.
Leather Care
Proper care significantly extends the life of your saddle.
We recommend:
• Gently cleaning your saddle with a quality cleaner specifically for calf skin and conditioning the leather every 4–6 weeks using quality leather oil.
• Protecting the saddle from prolonged exposure to direct sunlight and rain.
• Storing the saddle in a cool, dry environment.
• Using an appropriately fitted saddle cover.
• Regularly inspecting the saddle for signs of wear or damage.
Detailed leather care instructions are provided with every Free Rider saddle.
Contact Us
Free Rider Saddlery
📧 Email: info@freeridingnz.com
📞 Phone: 0422 601 971
🌐 Website: www.freeridingnz.com
📮 PO Box 1110
Woodford 4514 QLD
Australia