Danger and Discomfort with Synthetic Tack

Synthetic tack has its place. It is durable and is a real-time-saver when it comes to tack cleaning. The saddles are very lightweight and often have inter-changeable gullets to fit a variety of horses. Synthetic tack is also far cheaper than leather tack. However, there are a few things to know about discomfort and danger for you and your horse.

1. The Discomfort Issue

Synthetic stirrup straps don’t twist to your leg position in the saddle and remain stiff. This can cause chafing on your leg.

2. The Danger Issues

The Rideout has identified two dangerous issues with synthetic tack. These are listed beneath:

• Synthetic reins will not break like leather reins so if your horse becomes tangled and panics there will be problems
• Unlike synthetic reins, the girth straps easily split and this could be very dangerous if you are traveling fast or jumping

Recommendations:

• Remove synthetic reins from the bridle and replace these with good leather reins
• Replace girth straps with leather ones
• Use stirrup leathers rather than synthetic stirrup straps
• A flash-type noseband is usually provided but the lower buckling strap is frequently too short and needs a leather replacement