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Leather horse saddle vs synthetic horse saddle

By Jade | December 23, 2021
  1. Thorowgood
  2. Wintec

What are the differences between Leather & Synthetic Saddles?

The biggest difference between leather horse saddles and synthetic horse saddles is as the names suggest; the materials they are made from!

Leather saddles are a saddle that all of the component parts such as the panels, flaps, seat, knee rolls are made from leather. Leather saddles are still the preferred material of choice for many riders when it comes to choosing their saddle. There are a variety of different leather types used in saddle manufacturer depending on the part of the saddle being made such as the seat and knee pad, or the flaps for example. The type of leather used will also depend on the area of the saddle and how quickly it is expected to wear. Stronger leathers are used for the girth straps, whereas softer or grippier leathers are often used on the seat and knee pads. Depending on the tree used a leather horse saddle is generally heavier than their synthetic counter parts.

Synthetic saddles are made from man made products. These saddles are lightweight, durable and easy to maintain! No more having to condition or oil your tack, a quick wipe over with a damp cloth using a synthetic tack cleaner is all that's needed. The new Wintec 500 saddles can actually be hosed down, which is definitely not something you would do to a leather saddle. However, the synthetic materials used in the Wintec 500 make this a super, low maintenence saddle. 

So which is better - A leather horse saddle or a synthetic horse saddle?

Both types of saddle have their advantages and disadvantages. We will look into each individually. 

Synthetic Saddles

Although modern synthetic saddles aren't anywhere near as ridged or uncomfortable as their predecessors. They still don't quite offer the same amount of feel and comfort as a traditional leather saddle. On the other hand synthetic horse saddles do have a price tag advantage over leather saddles. Making them a far more affordable option for many riders who are on a budget. They are also a great option for parents who have children that seem to grow every month! Maybe you have a young horse who just starting the backing process and you want a lightweight to get them used to taking a saddle without fear of a leather one getting damaged. Available for any discipline synthetic saddles are super and growing in popularity all the time. 

Summary of Synthetic saddles

  • Cheaper
  • More lightweight
  • Lower maintenence
  • Great for a young horse
  • Great for older riders who struggle to lift heavy saddles 
  • Ideal for children who grow quickly and do not take care of a leather saddle
  • Perfect for riding schools and trekking centres 

Leather Saddles

Leather saddles although often heavier and more expensive than a synthetic saddle still have the upper hand when it comes to looks, comfort and quality. The price gap between leather and synthetics saddles in some cases is not as great as it once was. There are affordable leather saddle brands available on the market which are really popular across the UK. Leather naturally wears and ages with use. Although they need more regular cleaning and conditioning than a synthetic saddle, a well looked after leather saddle will age better than the synthetic version. Although we would always recommend keep either saddle protected from the elements with a saddle cover.

Click here to read our blog on why you should use a saddle cover.

Summary of leather saddles

  • More expensive than synthetics
  • Usually heavier as leather is heavier than the synthetic materials used
  • Often more comfortable for the rider
  • Will require more maintenance and cleaning 
  • Looks better than a synthetic saddle 
  • More traditional 

Popular brands of synthetic saddle 

Two key brands come to mind when thinking about synthetic saddles. Firstly, Wintec which is well known for being the worlds leading synthetic saddle brand. They offer a fantastic selection of saddles which are easily adjusted to fit even the trickiest of conformation with a bit of know how! 

Browse Wintec saddles for sale here

Secondly, Thorowgood which is a really popular synthetic saddle brand in the UK. Thorowgood offer a wool flocked panel within their 2 ranges of synthetic saddle, the T4 and the T8. Both of which are extremely popular. 

Browse Thorowgood saddles for sale here. 

Which is right for you? 

There is no right or wrong answer as to which is better out of the two. It all comes down to personal choice as to which your prefer and which you can afford. Some people prefer traditional materials such as leather and wool flocking. Whereas others adore the innovation used within Wintec saddles and appreciate its true customisable elements in terms of fit. At The Saddle Bank we have no brand bias. We sell over 50+ top brands and are proud to have expert knowledge about the brands we sell. If you are unsure which brand or model would be right for you and your horse, you can get in touch with The Saddle Bank team who will be happy to guide you. 

Sell your saddle

If you have a leather or synthetic saddle to sell, turn your unwanted saddle into cash in a quick, hassle free way.
All you need to do is fill in our simple Sell your Saddle form, and our quotes team will be in touch within 24 hours with a quote for you. 

Click here to Sell Your Saddle

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Thank you!

Thank you for reading this article! We hope you found it useful!

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The Saddle Bank Team x

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