Leather vs Synthetic saddles

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CuddlyCob

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Hi guys i am trying to convince my dad to buy a leather saddle over a synthetic one can you please list some of the benefits of leather because he won't just take my advice xxxx
 
leather softens so will mold ever so slightly to the shape of the horse reducing pinching and the saddle slipping
a good leather saddle will last a life time...whereas I have noticed that synthetics tend to get quite tatty
leather straps (ie girth straps and stirrup leathers
will snap if they get caught on something where as synthetic straps won't
leather saddles hold their value better

welcome to the saddle snob club ;)
 
You can buy a good quality second hand leather saddle for the same price, or less, than a new synthetic, the leather one will, if looked after, last for years, leather looks and feels better for the rider, if you are competing it is more correct, when and if it has to be sold it should retain much of it's value even after a few years of use if you buy well in the first place.

That said the most important thing is that it fits both the horse and rider correctly, whether leather or synthetic, get a good fitter out that can try on a range to suit your budget.
 
Have always been a leather saddle person but recently changed saddles as my Albion no longer fitted and due to serious financial constraints have ended up with my friends (practically new) Thorogood T6 which to be fair is very comfy, fits horse extremely well, looks smart, so i am warming more to the synthetics they are better then they used to be- saying that i dont like the Wintecs at all.

Sold my 15 year old Albion saddle for £190 leather sells whatever the age :-) least with my T6 has a changeable gullet which is very practical for my horse who can get a little bigger in the summer!
 
have both leather & synthetic saddles.. i like them both equally. I use my leather one for showing, but like that my synthetic is lightweight and much easier to clean and keep care off! I can go in the sea at the beath with it without worrying if it's going to ruin.
Everyone has different opinions but i'd say they were comfy, but the leather is obviosudly comfy too!
I have the wintec synthetic saddles, and have their western saddle, VSD, GP and close contact saddle!
 
I have used both and currently have three leather saddles, two close contact and one dressage and TBH I'd never go back to synthetic. It doesn't feel as comfortable much harder. Leather moulds to the shape of the horse and rider when it's warm in a way that synthetic doesn't. Synthetic stirrup leathers are work of the devil - they are hard, never sit right and won't lie against your leg flat. You can buy a good quality leather saddle second hand without breaking the bank. In fact I would be hesitant to buy a brand new leather saddle due to the breaking in time required. Leather looks so much smarter I feel for the show ring. If you take good care of your leather saddle it will last forever. Where I worked previously one of the yard owners (an elderly gentleman) had a saddle he'd ridden in since a teenager, well cared for and still very smart looking and exceptionally comfy. You can tell your dad it's an investment as if you are smart with what you buy you'll never need another saddle as chances are if you buy synthetic now you'll only be hankering for leather further down the line.
 
LittleRocketRider said:
leather softens so will mold ever so slightly to the shape of the horse reducing pinching and the saddle slipping
a good leather saddle will last a life time...whereas I have noticed that synthetics tend to get quite tatty
leather straps (ie girth straps and stirrup leathers
will snap if they get caught on something where as synthetic straps won't
leather saddles hold their value better

welcome to the saddle snob club ;)
Click to expand...

This is inaccurate, synthetic girths straps fail when weakened through use, biothane for instance cracks where the holes are, then the inner woven polypropylene webbing is exposed which frays and then you will have a breakage.
Polypropylene or polyester girth straps are a woven material, vulnerable to damage from abrasive rubbing of the flap and buckle amongst other things, once the weave gets damaged there's no going back and it will fail eventually.
I replace dozens and I do mean DOZENS of synthetic saddle girth straps with rawhide (leather) each year. People really don't seem to like their synthetic girth straps and revert back to leather girth straps on their synthetic saddles. I am out this Saturday on site in Horley replacing another load!
The breaking strain on rawhide is around 5,000lbs per square inch, they DON'T break very often if at all. Buffalo hide is good too but will stretch like mad. Leather is an underated natural material that as yet, man has not been able to replicate properly or surpass.
Oz
 
i don't know what to say re pros, but lather is so much nicer than synthetic. looks and feels sao much nicer and looks nicer and more classy.

(just got myself my first synthetic saddle today! cost and fit were huge problems. my leather saddles will be staying with me for now)
 
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