Stirrup Leathers - How often do you change yours?

[conkers]

I recently had my saddle checked and mentioned that I felt as if I was sitting to the right. Upon checking, my stirrup leathers were uneven and the saddler suggested that I buy a new pair so that they were even.

This got me to thinking. My leathers were 5 years old. My friends were 25 years old!

I change my riding hat every 2 or 3 years for safety reasons. As my stirrup leathers are also a chief contributor to my riding safety should I also be changing them on a regular basis? I have to admit that I had never previously given it a thought but now find myself thinking that, of course, I should be changing them regularly whether I think they need it or not.

What are your thoughts?

 

[MerrySherryRider]

I swop mine around each time I clean the saddle to even wear.

 

[ThePony]

Just swap them regularly so if you are heavier in one foot any stretching is evened out. Might be worth popping to a physio to see why you load one side more, worth fixing to help your horse out.

I just got a new pair to replace my older ones (over 10 years old), the stitching was going and they would have been perfectly safe with the stitching re-done but I'm afraid I took the shopping trip option! The older ones have now been downgraded to neck straps!

Good quality english leather leathers that have been well looked after (not soaked in the rain then abandoned and not killed with kindness either) should last years and years.

 

[Dolly.]

I just keep an eye on the stitching, occasionally check for wear and replace as necessary. I've been using mine for 7 years, the stitching is perfect but the leather is starting to get a little thin so they'll be going soon Tried swapping them over when one stretched but it made no difference.