synthetic v leather saddles.... which one would you choose...

B

Bosrebel

Well-Known Member
Joined
11 April 2006
Messages
98
Visit site
just a thought would you rather have a synthetic or leather saddle... I have had both, personally prefer synthetics.. but may have to go back to a leather as its a better fit....
 
i prefer leather as when cleaned it comes up better and the smell is lovely. on the other hand synthetic is easier to clean and cheaper. it depends as some synthetic saddles look like leather and have less 'material' on them, dont like the material ones as when cleaned feels like rubbing cotton wool and the same to ride in. just not as comfy. if any of that makes sense!!
 
A decent leather saddle anyday for me! Although I do have one synthetic dressage saddle which is comfy but much prefer Ali's Frank Baines Eclipse!
grin.gif
 
A good leather saddle is gorgeous, but i do like sythetics. If i had alot of money i would probably have one of the top of the range modern lighter weight leather saddles. My treeless is nubuck and beautifully light weight. sythetic saddles are loveyl too, there are some really good modern ones but i think ultimately a leather saddle is nicest
grin.gif
 
synthetic - with the Cair and the adjustable tree and the ability to ride in torrential rain (topical at the moment !) and not damage the saddle it's an all round work saver

it's also good for lighter framed horses due to the lighter weight - or to compensate for a heavier rider on a lighter framed horse

I also think that with the number of tack thefts these days you are risking losing less by having synthetic - the good one aren't 'inexpensive' but they are certainly cheaper than 800 quid to 2000 quid and less attractive to thieves
 
Depends - have ridden in a synthetic that was so comfortable that I thought it was leather and have ridden in leather saddles that was awful.

Would personally choose leather though
 
I have a wintec Isabel that I've been using for the last year and a half, I love it but it makes my legs really sweaty.
I wasn't aware of this until this week while riding in my new leather gp saddle, and I didn't have sweaty legs, if that makes sense
tongue.gif
 
I personally prefer leather, IMO they're much smarter, more comfortable and hold their value more. Synthetic saddles are cheaper, lighter and easier to look after though. I quite like Wintec's but not keen on Thorowgood's. Prefer leather looks ones to those which have a lot of material. D has a Maxam which I absolutely hate, plus it's tiny and my knees go over the front!
blush.gif
 
I find the synthetic saddles impossible to clean - what am I doing wrong? There are a couple at the Hunter Livery yard I help out in and after I have washed them with warm water and a cloth they dry looking just as dirty. A bit like that dreadful patterned plastic that is in the interior of cars, thats the same, you wash it off and it dries looking dirty!!

In my mind, you can't beat a nice leather saddle. But I am so old fashioned!!
 
I love synthetic but I am going towards leather purely because they have taken on the "cair" concept I'll let you know how I get on when I have one fitted on the 16th
 
mmmm... tough choice.. i have to keep my saddle near the front door in the house, so one that doesnt smell too horsey is a bonus.. which my synthetic doesnt! I did actually clean it the other day.. when i say clean i mean i cleaned the two leather girth straps (wintec dressage pro) and wiped over the rest with a damp sponge.. first time for months.. and only because they are leather straps.. i'm having the saddle fitter come and check it sometime in the next couple of weeks as i'm no longer happy with the fit of it.. so may have to change it for a leather saddle.
crazy.gif
 
ive just bought an old english jefferies saddle, i love it!!! its perfect. i dont mind synthetic but wouldn't personally buy 1 as leather looks alot smarter!!
 
I have a synthetic and leather saddle. With having a bad back, i find the synthetic is more sympathic on me. I can ride for longer than i could with the leather.

Ive got a wintec 200 with adjustable gullet, so can adjust it to the horse, instead of having to buy several saddles
 
Synthetic - the Thorowgoods can't be beaten for endurance. Lightweight, comfortable for horse and rider, quick-drying (I got so wet on a 64k ride last weekend that I might as well have stood in a carwash for 6 hours) and easy to maintain.

Also used a Maxam synthetic to start my youngster as it was light and so inexpensive that it wouldn't have been the end of the world if he'd trashed it. He didn't, and we still use it, suitably adjusted, for flat work.
 
I clean synthetics by brushing them gently with a body brush to loosen the dirt, then run the hoover nozzle over them. A quick wipe with warm water and hey preso!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top