Love Horse® Dating - Equestrians & Country Folk Finding Love Online » biothane http://www.lovehorse.co.uk/rural_dating_blog The Love of Horses, Single Equestrians, Country Life & Sports, Rural Living, Countryside Lovers Sat, 10 Dec 2011 21:25:19 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 Synthetic Endurance Saddles http://www.lovehorse.co.uk/rural_dating_blog/tack-and-saddlery/synthetic-saddles/synthetic-endurance-saddles/ http://www.lovehorse.co.uk/rural_dating_blog/tack-and-saddlery/synthetic-saddles/synthetic-endurance-saddles/#comments Fri, 11 Sep 2009 09:45:29 +0000 admin http://www.lovehorse.co.uk/rural_dating_blog/?p=58 If you are going for endurance riding, then you need more than just an ordinary saddle! 'Endurance saddles' are especially designed for the equestrian sports involving regulated long distance races. Since endurance riding pertains with the coverage of long patches of rough and challenging terrain for multiple days, it is essential to confirm that the rider is well-balanced on the horse. Endurance saddles provide exceptional comfort to both the rider and the horse.

To make it easy for the rider, the saddle seat is padded or quilted, and the stirrups are fitted with a broad foot tread that allays fatigue. As for the horse, the exhaustion suffered by it depends on the intensity of the pressure inflicted by the saddle on its back. To counter it, the saddle's area of contact with the back of the horse is enlarged by extending its panel skirts. A saddle design like this facilitates the load on the horse’s back to spread evenly, while dispersing the sweat on its body. The concept of floating panels also works well with endurance saddles as it enables the riders to have their seat out of the saddle, in order to lower the stress on the horse’s back.

Although, traditionally saddles were only made of leather, a lot of innovation has been brought about in the modern way of manufacturing endurance saddles. Synthetic saddles, which are light and easy to maintain, are being widely used for the purpose of endurance riding. These saddles are mostly made of the following materials:

• Cordura: It's a durable fabric that's resistant to scuffs or abrasions, and is easy to clean.
• Equileather: It's a low maintenance material with a leather-like appearance. It repels sweat and remains elastic in cold temperatures.
• Equisuede: It is non slippery foam that offers a good grip while riding.
• BioThane and Beta BioThane: ‘Biothane’ is comprised of nylon draped in thermoplastic polyurethane whereas ‘Beta BioThane’ is vinyl coated ‘BioThane’. They are both durable and water-resistant.

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]]> http://www.lovehorse.co.uk/rural_dating_blog/tack-and-saddlery/synthetic-saddles/synthetic-endurance-saddles/feed/ 0 Synthetic Western Saddles http://www.lovehorse.co.uk/rural_dating_blog/tack-and-saddlery/synthetic-saddles/synthetic-western-saddles/ http://www.lovehorse.co.uk/rural_dating_blog/tack-and-saddlery/synthetic-saddles/synthetic-western-saddles/#comments Fri, 04 Sep 2009 11:13:03 +0000 admin http://www.lovehorse.co.uk/rural_dating_blog/?p=52 Synthetic Western saddles offer riders of every level an economical alternative to traditional leather saddles. Cost isn't the only benefit of synthetic Western saddles though. Not only is going the synthetic route less expensive, but because synthetic materials are more durable your new saddle will age better and last longer. The materials used to make synthetic Western saddles (biothane, equileather, cordura, and equisuede) are less porous and absorbent than leather, making them much easier to clean and more resistant to water damage. You don't have to oil your synthetic Western saddle to keep it looking shiny and new; a quick swipe with a moist cloth and dish soap will do the job!

Synthetic Western saddles are also much lighter than their leather counterparts, making them an ideal choice for trail riding. You'll immediately notice how easy it is to carry around a synthetic saddle and will no doubt appreciate the load it takes off of you. We're sure your horse will appreciate the lighter saddle too! Going synthetic doesn't mean less choices either. Synthetic Western saddles come in many styles and even offer some color options you can't get in leather.

Synthetic Western saddles are made for pleasure, trail riding, speed events and showing. In every field they offer unique benefits. Pleasure riders will enjoy the extra padding in the seat while trail riders will appreciate how well their synthetic Western saddle stands up to hard use. Barrel racers will shave pounds off the weight of their rig while young showmen will catch the judge's eye with unique colors and patterns.

Synthetic Western saddles aren't just for smart shoppers; they're for smart riders!

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]]> http://www.lovehorse.co.uk/rural_dating_blog/tack-and-saddlery/synthetic-saddles/synthetic-western-saddles/feed/ 0 Synthetic Dressage Saddles http://www.lovehorse.co.uk/rural_dating_blog/tack-and-saddlery/synthetic-saddles/synthetic-dressage-saddles/ http://www.lovehorse.co.uk/rural_dating_blog/tack-and-saddlery/synthetic-saddles/synthetic-dressage-saddles/#comments Thu, 27 Aug 2009 09:15:32 +0000 admin http://www.lovehorse.co.uk/rural_dating_blog/?p=48 For many competitive and exhibition riders, everything revolves around dressage. A system of training designed to truly showcase the abilities of both horse and rider, proper dressage should appear effortless and relaxed, with horse and rider flowing from movement to movement as naturally as breathing. Such execution requires excellent control, and similarly outstanding equipment. In particular, it requires a good dressage saddle.

The dressage saddle is distinguished from other English saddles by two features in particular, the first being a very deep riding seat and the second a long, straight cut flap. The deep seat allows the rider to feel more secure during the many changes of position required in dressage performance, leaving the rider free to focus on guiding the horse instead of fighting to remain seated. The longer flap allows the rider to stretch out their legs, instead of keeping them high and tight as do competitive jumpers. Both these features are intended to keep the rider focused on the matter of making the gentle, almost invisible motions required to steer the horse through a proper dressage routine, giving them much more control than a jumping or general purpose saddle.

There is definitely a case to be made for using a synthetic dressage saddle over a leather version, specifically relating to the weight. The weight savings of a synthetic saddle allows a rider to execute commands to the horse for less pressure than the denser leather saddle would require, as well as making less demand on the horse’s endurance in competitions. In addition, there is the practical consideration of reduced initial and maintaining costs for synthetic saddles, and less time spent maintaining is more time spent caring for the horse itself, and more time out riding.

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]]> http://www.lovehorse.co.uk/rural_dating_blog/tack-and-saddlery/synthetic-saddles/synthetic-dressage-saddles/feed/ 0 Synthetic Jumping Saddles http://www.lovehorse.co.uk/rural_dating_blog/tack-and-saddlery/synthetic-saddles/synthetic-jumping-saddles/ http://www.lovehorse.co.uk/rural_dating_blog/tack-and-saddlery/synthetic-saddles/synthetic-jumping-saddles/#comments Thu, 20 Aug 2009 09:20:41 +0000 admin http://www.lovehorse.co.uk/rural_dating_blog/?p=50 For the discerning rider, there is no substitution for a good, high quality jumping saddle.

Jumping saddles come with a slight curve in the seat, wide padded flaps to give good knee support, and a short stirrup length, all tailored to keep the rider firmly in the saddle during the most rigorous of leaps. For these reasons, jumping saddles are frequently called close-contact or forward-seat saddles. Other features include a balance set further back than in traditional eventing saddles, and a low pommel that won’t get in the way of a rider’s posture.

Just as in other types, jumping saddles can come in traditional leather or synthetic materials, such as Cordura. There is a substantial debate between which material is superior, just as there is in many other competitive sports. However, synthetic materials do offer significant advantages over leather saddles that interested riders may wish to consider.

Foremost is that synthetic saddles are typically lighter than leather saddles. Saddles are heavy, and the longer a heavy weight rests on a horse, the more wear and tear on that horse’s muscles. Riders looking to spend a lot of time in the saddle can give their animal a break by reducing the load carried. Leather saddles also, due to material costs, production means, and overall popularity, cost more than synthetic models. Horse riding is expensive, and a good synthetic saddle will offer similar durability to a leather version for less investment. Finally, all it takes to properly maintain a leather saddle is a damp cloth, rather than the oils and conditioners required to keep a leather saddle in good condition.

While leather saddles are by no means an inferior choice, synthetic jumping saddles are a viable option for riders looking for a lower cost, equal quality alternative.

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]]> http://www.lovehorse.co.uk/rural_dating_blog/tack-and-saddlery/synthetic-saddles/synthetic-jumping-saddles/feed/ 0 Synthetic Saddles http://www.lovehorse.co.uk/rural_dating_blog/tack-and-saddlery/synthetic-saddles/synthetic-saddles/ http://www.lovehorse.co.uk/rural_dating_blog/tack-and-saddlery/synthetic-saddles/synthetic-saddles/#comments Fri, 14 Aug 2009 18:02:44 +0000 admin http://www.lovehorse.co.uk/rural_dating_blog/?p=39 Any horse enthusiast can attest to the fact that equipment is becoming more and more expensive. As a result, many individuals are seeking alternative products that will provide the same benefits at a lower cost. Synthetic saddles are such an item that as a result has increased in popularity. Synthetic saddles are indeed much cheaper than a leather saddle, but there are many other reasons to consider purchasing one.

The materials that synthetic saddles are made of have many advantages over leather. Equileather, a material commonly used, can be cleaned simply by wiping with a damp rag. In addition, it never requires any type of oil or break-in processes. Another commonly used material is Cordura, which is equally durable and also renders special care unnecessary.

The weight of a leather saddle can be very difficult to manage, but synthetic saddles weigh much less due to their materials. As a result, they can be much easier to use and may simplify the dressing process. Finding an appropriate storage place for a synthetic saddle is no difficult task, as they are usually light enough to be hung practically anywhere.

There truly is a synthetic saddle available for virtually any taste, and the styles available range from very traditional to very modern. A wide array of bright colours can be selected, or a more traditional leather-look may be more what a person is looking for. In fact, there are some equileather saddles that are virtually impossible to distinguish from leather saddles.

Many people originally choose a synthetic saddle due to the significant price difference, but owners will quickly realize that there are many other benefits as well. Before making any purchasing decisions, a prospective buyer should carefully consider the advantages of a synthetic saddle; the choice will be easy.

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