Stirrup Leathers

[1 morejump]

So I know I am going to buy some new stirrup leathers for the Vogue I am planning on getting but I am wondering if anyone has found synthetic stuff or leave marks or rub a lot on the leather.  To be quite honest we do not have many of the leathers that adjust from the bottom in the US that are made of leather and are a reasonable price.  Everything is outrageous and the only affordable ones are synthetic so I was just wondering if they would rub or hurt the saddle, anyone have any experience with this?

[Knight1]

The synthetic ones did seem to rub/wear more on the soft leather of my SBS, so I got the Bates leather webbers & use the soft leather side towards the saddle.  However I think Heather sells some UK made dressage leathers that are leather covered with a synthetic core.  I have a pair of those & they are great.  If you order a vogue they sould be sent with it to save shipping and how nice to be able to purchase from & support Heather. 

[sandpiper]

I've found that synthetic leathers will mark a leather saddle, and have leather ones where the stitching has also rubbed.  I use neoprene leather covers to be on the safe side - but it makes it a bit fiddly to adjust stirrup length!  I do manage okay though.

[smileyginger]

Hi Mary - I just got the Wintec webbers (with the T bar) and they don't seem to rub any more than my old leather buckle type ones did.  I will probably just make some fleece tubes for schooling to prevent any extra rubbing, but I have a black Fhoenix and the webbers look quite smart.

The best price I've seen on the Bates leather ones is at www.horsetackco.com I actually get lots of stuff from them.

Justine

[catkin]

until you get fixed you can use your ordinary stirrup leathers 'upside-down'. 
Find a couple of 1 inch heavyweight beltloops or similar and thread onto the leathers so they are the buckle end. Put the leathers through the irons with the buckle at the bottom, facing forward - slip the spare end back through the buckle and fasten in place with the loops. Hey presto - a pair of pseudo dressage leathers!

[victic99]

Where can you get the sleeves that cover the leathers from??? I've looked in Robinsons but i can't find them

[catkin]

try a saddlers or even a local cobbler who does leather stiching to make some up for you. (or do what I do and use loops that came from an old belt - they are the same width as my stirrups and very strong and even neater than the covers)

[DaffyDilly]

I just attach my leathers under the flaps instead of over them, so they haven't left a mark on the saddle. I don't think this is possible with all saddles though.

[QHLUV]

I got these about 3 years ago, and they are still holding up nicely. I need a new pair, but they have worked for me over the years...

http://www.dressageextensions.com/ProductDetail.asp?KEY=3262

They aren't all that much.. A little more then the wintec's..

 

[Natural Dressage]

fyi - for price comparisons, Heather's EE recommended leathers are $95 US shipping included if bought through US;)