Considering Synthetic Tack with The Saddlery Shop

Here at www.thesaddleryshop.co.uk we specialise in below RRP items, which means we know about the importance of keen pricing for customers. Owner of The Saddlery Shop Lucy Nicholas says "As a horse owner and someone that has been involved in the equestrian industry for many years, I have always enjoyed the thrill of buying new tack – and that wonderful smell of leather!" So why are we suggesting you should consider purchasing synthetic tack? Read on... Lasting a lifetime Leather tack has been a popular choice of tack for many years, and there’s no denying its durability – if well maintained, it can last a horse’s lifetime, with regular attention from a saddler to ensure the saddle fits, and a careful cleaning and maintenance regime. Click here to see the range of leather tack The Saddlery Shop has to offer. However one of the downsides of leather tack however can be its price – as good-quality tack has a price tag to match the craftsmanship that goes into its production, particularly if it is hand-stitched. A further issue is that customers and horse owners often need to source cost effective items in today’s economic climate. And there are lots of inferior, non-English leather items in the market today that are manufactured abroad. However, the finishing is rarely to the same standard as a more costly piece of crafted tack, with for example, the edges of an item not being rounded and sealed to close the fibres within the leather. This again may lead to weakness. Synthetic tack has been around for a long time; two of the original pioneers were Ron and Ken Bates, owners of Bates Saddlery. Over the last twenty years, inferior leather goods have increasingly become available to consumers, while at the same time, research and development into synthetic goods has increased, with materials such as Cordura, Equileather, Equisuede and Beta BioThane being developed and used by manufacturers. Although each manufacturer uses their own, closely guarded materials for their synthetic products, most products today have a similar appearance. Lucy Nicholas says "I often recommend that customers choose synthetic tack over leather, especially if their budget for tack is in the mid-range. I would also add that many of the synthetic saddles available today have innovative design features that do appeal to many owners. These include changeable gullet systems and girth strap positioning, plus a choice of seat size and tree width, and scope to adjust the flocking. A great innovation is movable panel blocks that sit in front of your legs to help place you in an effective, comfortable position, and give bespoke support and comfort for your leg. Today, there’s no need to compromise on design or features of a saddle if you opt for a good brand of synthetic tack such as the ranges available from The Saddlery Shop. It can also be difficult at first glance to tell the difference between synthetic and leather makes of saddle, in terms of its appearance, plus you usually have a more lightweight product, and one whose ongoing care is much simpler! Alongside a range of synthetic tack The Saddlery Shop is also equipped with specialist synthetic cleaning products such as the Wintec Saddle Cleaning Spray. For more information about the synthetic range visit the website today www.thesaddleryshop.co.uk or Tel: 0844 880 6900 to speak to a member of our friendly team for all the advice you require on considering synthetic tack.