There are riding saddles that are traditionally made of leather and saddles made of plastic, e.g. PVC. Both materials have their advantages and disadvantages. Find out which saddle is right for you.

 

Leather saddle

 

Leather saddles are extremely durable if cared for properly. A leather saddle, like any other saddle, has to fit the horse's back perfectly, but leather is breathable and causes less heat build-up under the saddle. A leather saddle has a special flair due to its odour. Leather saddles are usually used at horse shows as they look more professional and luxurious.

The disadvantages include the fact that they are considerably more expensive than plastic saddles and require a lot of maintenance. They must be regularlyThe parts must be greased and cleaned with special soaps.

 

Plastic saddle

 

Plastic saddles are less expensive and weigh considerably less, which makes them easier to place on the horse's back and the horse has less weight to carry. A plastic saddle can be washed with a damp cloth and conventional soap and requires no additional care. Plastic saddles are more flexible and usually fit more than one horse. They also mould to the shape of the horse better than leather saddles. Plastic saddles are also available in different colours.

Disadvantages of the plastic saddle: less aesthetic appearance, less durability and possible heat build-up between the saddle and the horse's back when riding.

 

The choice of saddle

 

Choose your saddle according to what type of rider you are, what benefits you will get from it and how much money you can spend. For a beginner or a child who has just started riding, plastic saddles make more sense if the interest in riding fades after a while. For professional and competitive ridersFor casual riders, a leather saddle is probably the better choice. In fact, riders often own one of each type of saddle, the synthetic saddle for everyday riding and the leather saddle for competitions or special events.