Help me decide whether or not to retire these leathers...

[HokieHorseVet]

So I’m a bit of a hoarder, especially when it comes to tack/horse supplies… I have a HAAAAARD time throwing things out when it’s time for them to go. I bought a used saddle last year that came with a pair of children’s stirrup leathers on it, 3/4" width I think. Anyhow, they are super nice quality and very flexible, not dry or brittle. I didn’t need an extra pair at the time, but they came with the saddle… so… here they are. I’ve cleaned and conditioned them every time we do our tack, just to keep them in good shape. So my issue is this. in a few places along both leathers, there are extremely superficial surface cracks. I’m talking 10% of the thickness of the leather. They are otherwise strong and pliable and smooth. I’ve used and abused leathers in my youth and had much worse cracks go years and years before one finally broke on me and taught me a lesson. Those weren’t nearly as nice quality as these seem to be. Can’t remember if there’s a brand mark or not on them, they are either Tory or there is no stamp…

What say you, COTHers? Keep or toss??? Other creative uses for leathers besides holding stirrups?? Blow my mind…

I’ll see if I can get a picture…

[BAC]

Why do you think they are children’s leathers, are they 48" or less? The fact that they are 3/4" wide is not a factor, that is a very popular width and has been for years, I hate those dated 1" leathers that were popular in the 1960s when I was a kid. If you can provide a photo it would be easier to judge their condition, but if they are the right length for you and the cracks are only superficial then keep using them until their condition deteriorates enough to be considered unsafe. Tory makes decent quality stuff at reasonable prices, so maybe consider buying a new pair if you have doubts about the safety of the ones that came with your saddle.

[BAC]

I posted as you were adding pictures, I think I would pass on those and buy new ones but I am conservative when it comes to safety. They look pretty beat up to me.

[HokieHorseVet]

They came on a Stubben Rex youth saddle I bought second hand, so I guess I just assumed they were youth stirrups… I typically go with safer=better, and these days I prefer 1" leathers myself, because they are beefier! lol I’ve become accustomed to seeing children using the 3/4" leathers for better proportions and since they are lighter weight/not needing beefier leathers… hahha These leathers are surprisingly soft and pliable, the pictures make them look worse than they are- the surface (besides the superficial cracks) is sort of wavy/bumpy, but not broken except where the cracks are- I don’t know what would make them wavy just on the surface but I assume it contributed to those superficial cracks… like the surface stretched but the deeper leather didn’t, or something… I dunno… hard to know what they’ve been through or how they were cared for when buying second hand… they do look like they’ve been used at quite a few lengths so probably used in a lesson program or something… anyhow, thanks for your input! Wish I could figure out how to get the images bigger, really hard to see on the tiny images! I’m still learning to navigate COTH so maybe I’m missing something…

[gottagrey]

What does the stitching look like? That’s the most important and often overlooked… from the photos, I’d retire

[atl_hunter]

I would most definitely retire/repurpose those. Might make a decent grab strap for a lesson program, or neck strap for bridleless riding.

[BAC]

@gottagrey

What does the stitching look like? That’s the most important and often overlooked… from the photos, I’d retire

But these are not lined leathers so the only stitching would be where it attaches to the buckle and that’s an easy and cheap fix if the letters were in better condition.

[gottagrey]

@BAC

But these are not lined leathers so the only stitching would be where it attaches to the buckle and that’s an easy and cheap fix if the letters were in better condition.

the key words here are “in better condition” haha. and as far as repair goes that’s another issue -to find a place to repair them. There used to be some good shoe/leather repair places relatively close to me but am not sure if they exist.There is a great guy about an hour away but who knows how long he’d keep them for so I’d end up having to get another pair while I waited. You can get leathers from Dover starting around $50 and up.

[BAC]

@gottagrey

the key words here are “in better condition” haha. and as far as repair goes that’s another issue -to find a place to repair them. There used to be some good shoe/leather repair places relatively close to me but am not sure if they exist.There is a great guy about an hour away but who knows how long he’d keep them for so I’d end up having to get another pair while I waited. You can get leathers from Dover starting around $50 and up.

I wasn’t suggesting that this particular pair of leathers should be repaired. As I said in my earlier email I would not use these. But the stitching for these type of flat unlined leathers is just stitching the end to the buckle which any cobbler could do if they were in usable condition. In your case it seems that is not an option.

[rememberthenight]

I don’t play around with worn stirrups or girths. When in doubt- throw them out!!! I have dealt with accidents with broken tack- try to not ask for a mishap.

[gottagrey]

@BAC

I wasn’t suggesting that this particular pair of leathers should be repaired. As I said in my earlier email I would not use these. But the stitching for these type of flat unlined leathers is just stitching the end to the buckle which any cobbler could do if they were in usable condition. In your case it seems that is not an option.

I hear you - Funny - I have more tack shops than cobblers to choose from :eek::lol::lol::lol:

[js]

Retire them, why take a chance with one failing during a ride or jumping. Get a new pair.

[HokieHorseVet]

@gottagrey

What does the stitching look like? That’s the most important and often overlooked… from the photos, I’d retire

No stitching on these except where they are attached to the buckle, and that looks fine. Otherwise they are just plain flat leathers with no stitching or grooving or reinforcement or adornment of any kind…

[MintHillFarm]

Toss!

[Scribbler]

@HokieHorseVet

So I’m a bit of a hoarder, especially when it comes to tack/horse supplies… I have a HAAAAARD time throwing things out when it’s time for them to go. I bought a used saddle last year that came with a pair of children’s stirrup leathers on it, 3/4" width I think. Anyhow, they are super nice quality and very flexible, not dry or brittle. I didn’t need an extra pair at the time, but they came with the saddle… so… here they are. I’ve cleaned and conditioned them every time we do our tack, just to keep them in good shape. So my issue is this. in a few places along both leathers, there are extremely superficial surface cracks. I’m talking 10% of the thickness of the leather. They are otherwise strong and pliable and smooth. I’ve used and abused leathers in my youth and had much worse cracks go years and years before one finally broke on me and taught me a lesson. Those weren’t nearly as nice quality as these seem to be. Can’t remember if there’s a brand mark or not on them, they are either Tory or there is no stamp…

What say you, COTHers? Keep or toss??? Other creative uses for leathers besides holding stirrups?? Blow my mind…

I’ll see if I can get a picture…

I would not use leathers that had started to crack like this. Leather can snap very suddenly. Behind the cracks the leather is already compromised.

There are things to do with old stirrup leathers. Neck grab strap. Rigging for saddle bags. Maybe could be used to fix buckles on a turnout sheet. Etc. I don’t throw anything away either but I also don’t use compromised leather strapwork. Because the leather will fail when you need it most, like over a jump.

[beowulf]

I turn my tired leathers into neckstraps or unbreakable hangers for my trailer dressing room (perfect for hanging vests). If it starts to crack, unless it is nylon lined, it’s time to go to a less important job.