Stirrup leathers as an important component of the saddle
Only the stirrup leathercompletes a saddle. It is the connecting piece between the saddle and the stirrup, which gives you additional stability and safety when riding. We have summarized what is important when buying this saddle accessoryand how to securely attach the stirrup leathersin this article.
What is a stirrup leather and why is it indispensable?
The stirrupis connected to the saddle via the stirrup leather. Stirrupsserve as footrests and mounting aids when riding your horse. Therefore, stirrup leathersare indispensable for a secure and proper seat in the saddle.
What different lengths are available for stirrup leathers?
For a stirrup leatherto fulfill its purpose, it must have the optimal length. To find the right length, you should consider a few important things.
- Stirrup leathers for childrenIf you buy such a leather strap for a child, a length between 120 and 130cm is sufficient. After all, the short legs must be able to reach the stirrupfrom the saddle.
- Adult riders up to 1.80m tallAs an adult of average height, you should choose a stirrupwith a length between 170 and 180cm for a dressage saddle. For a jumping saddle, a length between 145 and 165cm is sufficient.
In general, you should always choose the stirrup leatherto be slightly longer rather than too short. With a hole punch, you can easily punch an additional hole into a leather strap to bring the stirrupto the correct length.
Attention: Why the correct length of the stirrup leather is so important
The optimal length is important simply so that your feet are properly in the stirrupand offer you a secure hold. If the strap is too long, the rear end can hit the horse's flank. If they are too short, this will reduce your flexibility in adjusting the size.
What you should look out for when buying stirrup leathers
The stirrup leatheris subjected to strong pulling and pressure when riding, so it can quickly stretch out. It is all the more important that you pay attention to quality to enjoy your new saddle accessory for a long time. Below you will find important criteria that you should consider when buying.
The material
You can buy stirrup leatherseither made of leather or synthetic material. Traditionally, the straps are made of real leather, which is accordingly stable and durable. The advantage of leather straps is that you can easily punch additional holes without them tearing. However, genuine leather is also a material that stretches over time. In our shop, we offer stirrup leathersmade of genuine leather that is particularly dimensionally stable and hard-wearing. You can buy genuine leather stirrup leathers from our manufacturer Busse, for example. Our manufacturer Waldhausenalso produces stirrup leathers made of a special quality leather.
If you are looking for an alternative to genuine leather, you will also find stirrup leathersmade of synthetic leather. These are primarily also suitable for saddles made of synthetic leather and are easy to care for. Another advantage of a synthetic stirrup leatheris that it is less sensitive to moisture. You should not use synthetic stirrup leatherswith genuine leather saddles, as they can scratch the natural material.
Kieffer stirrup leathers offer a combination of genuine and synthetic material. These are double-stitched stirrup leathers, which are made of a very soft leather and are particularly durable due to a special nylon inlay. The Kieffer stirrup leatherscan withstand a load of up to 500 kg.
Color and design
Do you attach particular importance to the aesthetics of your riding accessories? Then you will find stirrup leathers with rhinestone embellishments from our manufacturer Waldhausen. The buckle is also made of rose gold to match.
From our manufacturer Stuebbenyou can get the luxury version of a stirrup leather. Not only black Stübben stirrup leathersare available, but also straps made of brown, particularly abrasion-resistant vachetta leather.
Shape and material of the buckle
The buckle of the strap should be made of a weather-resistant material that does not rust. Therefore, most manufacturers use stainless steel buckles.
Hole spacing on the stirrup leather
The more holes your stirrup leatherhas, the more flexible you are in adjusting the strap. However, the distance between the holes must also be large enough so that they do not tear out with a small stretch.
Buy stirrup leathers online at kavalio
Find a selection of the best stirrup leathersfrom renowned manufacturers in our online shop. In addition to the high-quality Stübbenand Kieffer stirrup leathers, you will also find more affordable models in the usual high quality.
