Stubben tack quality issues - anyone else finding problems?

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cyberhorse

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Well thankfully I am sat typing this uninjured, but I count myself pretty lucky. I have had a new pair of the stubben mono stirrup leathers snap over a fence and sent my stirrup flying into a wall and rebounding back at us (luckily my horse did not spook). Obviously I am pretty irritated about this, but it comes after earlier this year a custom made to order breastplate arrived with some parts glued but not stitched (luckily the tack shop inspected it and spotted it before I picked it up) which would have lead to a martingale snapping apart. Generally I had always thought stubben products were very good quality and most of my items have lasted really well, just wondering if I have been unlucky, or if anyone else has had problems and maybe Stubben quality standards have now slipped and it is time to look at alternative kit...?
 
I have always thought the leatherwork to be pretty rubbish, a friend of mine bought a brand new black stubben saddle and after about two months most of the colour had come out of it and it looked about 20 years old.

I have seen the bridles fade after a short amount of time too and I think its overpriced for what it is.

I am glad you didn't seriously hurt yourself by your stirrup flying off, it could have been a nasty accident and maybe an email to Stubben to let them know whats happened and some pictures of the leathers would be in order.
 
I've got about 12 Stubben saddles - some up to 25 years old, some only a year old. All still in brilliant condition. Can remember when I bought the Columbos (now 25) being told that they would outlive me - and they probably will. Covered in water buffalo hide so extremely hardwearing. That said, I'm not sure the newer Edelweiss's will last so long. Much lighter weight and just don't seem quite as robust, but think that's just a sign of the times, don't think many people nowadays see themselves in the same saddle 25 years on! Also have some bridles/headcollars/girths that are 25 years old and still fab. Recently bought their new lightweight balanced irons at £150/pair, eek, and liked them so much we got 2 more pairs.
We had a nasty accident with a stud girth recently - NOT Stubben I hasten to add. It was a good quality mid range, 2 years old and had a catastrophic failure in mid air over a fence - both buckles detached themselves from the girth, resulting in a nasty fall for the rider on landing. So I guess quality is maybe a wider problem than just one manufacturer.
 
Had, well still have a lovely Bridle, unfortunately can't use it as if Horse got slightly sweaty or it rained the colour would run like mad and she'd have a brown face. Was always a bit gutted about that, it's very smart!
 
I bought my horse a stubben bridle 15 years ago, it's been used daily until he retired last year and despite my slovenly tack cleaning it still looks like new.
Perhaps it's just the newer stuff that's poorer quality?
X
 
I am thinking the newer stuff is not as good. I have two saddles that are about 10 years old and two that are about 18 months old and the rate at which the new ones are marking and degrading makes me think these will be scruffier than the old ones in a couple of years. I think where possible I'll be swapping to kieffer as I have a few kieffer bridles for home that get incredibly heavily used and neglected and the leather is like new when given a wipe. The offending leather I think I am going get someone at Stubben to look at, as I think we are within our rights to say it was not fit for purpose failing that soon after purchase. Zerotolerance that incident sounds pretty horrific! I am thankful mine was just a leather. Slightly concerned with what others have said about discolouration, hoping my bridles last better and the colour does not run...
 
Another one who thinks newer stuff isn't as good quality, not just Stubben. Have got one pair of Stubben rubber reins that are over 10 yrs old, regular use still going strong, the ones I bought a few years ago are certainly not going to last that well. Pleased that you are OK OP, sounds very nasty
 
Must be the newer stuff. My saddles are both 10 yrs plus (with hard-wearing) bum, but still solid and no stitching issues. Bridle looks like it's 6 months old - mind you, I used to clean tack weekly. I was young and foolish.
 
i think the older stubben leather work is a completely different quality
i have a bridle that is about 40yrs old that i bought 2nd hand years ago , its been used nearly everyday by me and really abused ie its been in the sea , its not regularly cleaned , i leave it lying about at the yard getting damp/mouldy etc
its just starting to wear now and won't last much longer as the cheek pieces are splitting where the billet is :( the rest of the bridle is still ok and i like it that much i am trying to find replacement cheek pieces that match

i have another bridle that i use "for good" , its cleaned after nearly every time i use it and its not had nearly as much abuse and its all ready looking tiered , its about 5 yrs old and the leather is also really quite hard compared to the older one :(

i also rode in a stubben saddle for the first time on sunday :/ eeekk ! my back side is still yet to recover ! how can anyone do a days hunting sat on the ill never know , talk about hard it was like sitting on a brick :(
 
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