Flank cinches provide stability to the saddle and should be snug (not tight) against the horse. A rule of thumb is to be able to slip two fingers between the flank and the horse at the apex of the belly. It should not be loose or hang below the horse’s belly—a loose flank cinch is a danger to horse and rider. Always use the connecting strap between the front and rear cinches to position the flank cinch properly and prevent it from becoming a ”bucking strap”.

SADDLE AND TACK RETURN POLICY:

Saddle and Tack Return Policy In an effort to insure fit and satisfaction, we offer the following return policy on saddles and matching tack purchased directly from Goodnight via internet or phone order and drop-shipped from either Goodnight or Circle Y, under the following conditions:

**You must contact our office for a return authorization within one week of receipt of the saddle.

**All new saddles must be returned in new condition; no scratches or wear marks, no horse hair or dirt, no dirt scratches in the stirrup, wear marks on straps or anywhere on saddle or matching tack. If the saddle or tack is not in new/ready-to-sell condition when returned, a deduction will be made in the refund amount, according to the sole discretion of Circle Y Saddles or Goodnight which ever applies.

**Saddles returned in new condition, as stated above, will incur a 10% restocking fee.  If you are exchanging your saddle for another Julie Goodnight saddle, there will be no restocking fee.

*Non-Stock Items: A non-stock item is anything that we are building specifically to your specifications. An example would be a saddle that you selected specific conchos, tooling, or seat materials.  Because these items are not something we regularly stock and it will be built specifically for you, we are unable to accept returns or cancellations once customized order is placed.

**Original shipping fees will not be refunded and customer must pay the return shipping cost, except in the case of defective merchandise. Once you receive your saddle, you will have a full week to assess the fit to your horse and you, during which time you can get authorization to return the saddle if necessary.

We suggest you try the saddle on the horse right away, with a towel or blanket between the horse and saddle and assess the fit before you attach a cinch and ride in the saddle. If there is a question on the fit, get input from someone knowledgeable in saddle fit. Once you have determined the saddle fits your horse, you can cinch it up and sit in it to make sure it is the right fit for you; be very careful not to scratch or mar the leather, we suggest wrapping the stirrup leather prior to your test ride to keep the leather pristine. If you decide it is a good fit for your horse and you, you may begin riding normally in the saddle; just keep in mind it takes very little riding in a saddle for it to lose its “new” condition.