High-End Synthetic 'Vegan' Saddles - Do They Exist ??

[50ShadesOfHay]

So I’m a pretty serious dietary vegan, and started thinking about limiting or eliminating any new leather purchases. I’ve done a little googling, but haven’t come across any saddle options that are comparable to a Tad Coffin, CWD, etc. that are synthetic. I’ve seen a few less expensive brands/models out there, but I think those are more as a cost savings vs. a saddle that would be comparable to something I have now.

Also interested in hearing any benefits or drawbacks that a nicer synthetic saddle might have?

[luvmyhackney]

Thorowgood is the highest end synthetic saddle that I like. I love mine, nobody can really tell unless they get right up on it.

[poltroon]

There aren’t as many brands so you might or might not find one that really fits you and your horse well, but if you do they can be very comfortable and secure. For dressage, a fair number of people actively choose the Wintec Isabel, but I haven’t heard that proclaimed so much by jumping riders.

In my experience with them (borrowed and friends), they have been less durable, wearing through with regular use in the 5-10 year range. It didn’t make the saddle unrideable but it did mean you probably wouldn’t want to show in it. I haven’t used one that has some of the newer fitting technology, and would be curious to hear from someone who has. The newer ones may wear better or not.

I know you didn’t ask this, so forgive me, but if you investigate these saddles and find it’s not a great match for your horse, I think it is not hard to justify the use of a leather saddle that could last 30-50 years in terms of its environmental and ethical impact.

[Texarkana]

It may be worth trying the Wintec Pro Jump if you can. Definitely not a Tad Coffin or a CWD, but those who have the saddle seem quite happy with it. It’s a well balanced saddle for the price point, and the grippy equisuede is certainly nice.

I think the stigma against synthetic material is a bigger deal in H/Js than it is with other disciplines (namely dressage and eventing), hence why there isn’t much selection for synthetic CC jumping saddles.

I’ve been really happy with my Wintec Pro line saddles. No complaints!

Editing to add: it does have leather billets, so not truly vegan…

[poltroon]

@Texarkana

I think the stigma against synthetic material is a bigger deal in H/Js than it is with other disciplines (namely dressage and eventing), hence why there isn’t much selection for synthetic CC jumping saddles.

I think this is probably true, but I also think no judge will particularly notice or care that it’s synthetic when you’re sitting in it. As long as the horse and rider are happy, it’s a perfectly credible choice.

[50ShadesOfHay]

Is it just me or if there was a material out there that looked like leather, was durable, grippe, had the technology and fit of a high end saddle, easy to care for, and ‘cruelty free’; i feel like there would be a market for this?

[drafting_dots]

@50ShadesOfHay

Is it just me or if there was a material out there that looked like leather, was durable, grippe, had the technology and fit of a high end saddle, easy to care for, and ‘cruelty free’; i feel like there would be a market for this?

I just don’t think the market is big enough. High end saddle crowd wants high end leather. People trending towards not wanting leather may purchase second hand leather saddles rather than new. I don’t think the expense of developing this saddle would be worth the profit. I think these saddles mostly appeal to people who have hard to fit horses or need the lower price point.

I think that other than perhaps the style of the saddle, all the other things exist in the brands that currently produce leather alternatives.

[Texarkana]

Regarding the market for a synthetic saddle:

I think the early Wintec saddles did a good job of creating a negative stigma in the H/J world that I’m not sure they (Wintec) will ever overcome. Their earliest saddles weren’t durable. Most were black and looked synthetic, not to mention they were predominately all purpose or dressage in style. When Wintec finally came out with their first generation close contact saddle, while it was almost indistinguishable from leather with a rider in the tack, that sucker was slippery! So slippery it made it hard to ride in, especially over fences. Changeable gullets boosted their popularity, but problems with early CAIR models reinforced negative impressions.

Wintec has addressed all of the above problems to put out quality, balanced saddles for the money. But I still don’t think they will ever overcome (some) folks negative opinions of synthetic materials.

Opinions might change if a popular high end saddler were to create a synthetic product, but I’m not sure there is enough demand at this time. And then there’s the “artificial Christmas tree” paradox: manufacturing of artificial Christmas trees poses greater environmental threat than the cutting of natural ones… so does the same apply to synthetic saddles? If so, does “cruelty free” offset the environmental impact? I don’t know the answer, and of course, this is all speculative.

But I really like my Wintec AP & dressage saddles. I plan to add a Pro Jump to my collection when I have extra spending money.

[Proffie]

I also try to avoid animal products, but I don’t show much so I had no issue buying the Wintec jumping saddle. It doesn’t offer the “look” that you need if you show the circuit, but it’s balanced and comfy, and fits my horse.

I agree with @Texarkana that if one of the prestige brands offered a synthetic alternative, it would be well-accepted but until there, there’s a stigma that Wintec brought on with their early stuff.

HOWEVER, I can’t find a suitable synthetic bridle – the biothene stuff I’ve tried is just terrible. Slippery and stiff, and feels weird, and looks completely unacceptable even for local shows. So I bought a used leather bridle instead.

[LovieBird]

I think there is a market for someone to develop a higher end synthetic saddle. There are alot of vegan/vegetarian riders who I bet would opt for a synthetic option. If it looks and feels well made, who wouldn’t want a saddle you can just wipe off?!

[buck22]

I was going to suggest Tekna, though they have a traditional leather line, they also have a fully synthetic line. I’ve not had a chance to examine a saddle, but I have used tekna strapgoods (bridles and halters) and they are just lovely.

The website seems to have a lot of broken links though, not sure as to the current status
http://www.teknasaddleryusa.com/

[poltroon]

There is a company that is working on growing leather in vats using an engineered yeast. They can make it in different thicknesses and in nice, rectangular sheets that are convenient for industry.

https://www.theatlantic.com/science/…eather/540285/

https://www.economist.com/news/scien…er-grown-using

IIRC it’s not quite affordable or ready for prime time, but there may be a day.

[IPEsq]

I can’t recall if it was County or CWD, but one of them makes a point of saying their leather is sourced from suppliers that provide quality leather but it’s still a byproduct of other processing. So, not exactly vegan friendly, but somewhere in between that and fur (ie killing the animal just for the hide).

I dont have a lot of experience with synthetic but rode in a Wintec and found the suede stuff to be icky and the thing squeaked to high heaven! The squeaking gets me with any saddle.

[HorseAlter]

I highly doubt there is a serious market for this, at least not large enough to justify the overhead in starting a new saddle line. Think about how many saddle brands currently exist and how some brands fit some horses and not others. Then take all the riders who want to ride vegan and then ask if they are all going to be happy with the same type of saddle? I doubt it.

People who want to be vegan in more aspects of their lives would probably have an easier time justifying riding in a used leather saddle as opposed to a new one. Ultimately, it is also important to be sure that the saddle fits the horse. I think it would be by far better to ride a horse in a used leather saddle that fits as opposed to a synthetic saddle that didn’t fit well.

I know people who have faced moral dilemmas such as this and they try as much as possible to do their due diligence and then if they have to make the compromise then they do so only after exhausting other options.

@LovieBird

I think there is a market for someone to develop a higher end synthetic saddle. There are alot of vegan/vegetarian riders who I bet would opt for a synthetic option. If it looks and feels well made, who wouldn’t want a saddle you can just wipe off?!

[poltroon]

@IPEsq

I can’t recall if it was County or CWD, but one of them makes a point of saying their leather is sourced from suppliers that provide quality leather but it’s still a byproduct of other processing. So, not exactly vegan friendly, but somewhere in between that and fur (ie killing the animal just for the hide).

I dont have a lot of experience with synthetic but rode in a Wintec and found the suede stuff to be icky and the thing squeaked to high heaven! The squeaking gets me with any saddle.

I’m quite certain that all cowhide is a byproduct of meat processing - ie cattle are not killed for their hides. If there was not a demand for the leather the hide would be discarded.

[Texarkana]

@IPEsq

I dont have a lot of experience with synthetic but rode in a Wintec and found the suede stuff to be icky and the thing squeaked to high heaven! The squeaking gets me with any saddle.

Not to single you out IPEsq, but this is a perfect example of why synthetic saddles can’t shake the stigma.

(For the record, neither of my saddles squeak anymore. One did when it was new, but that stopped after a few weeks of use.)

[trubandloki]

@poltroon

I’m quite certain that all cowhide is a byproduct of meat processing - ie cattle are not killed for their hides. If there was not a demand for the leather the hide would be discarded.

This needs repeating!

I admit I actually laughed at the thought that someone thought that any saddle was made from leather harvested from a bovine killed just for their hide. Way too much of a market for the meat…

[red_mares]

@trubandloki

This needs repeating!

I admit I actually laughed at the thought that someone thought that any saddle was made from leather harvested from a bovine killed just for their hide. Way too much of a market for the meat…

I was shaking my head at “I need a vegan saddle to ride my horse.”

[trubandloki]

@red mares

I was shaking my head at “I need a vegan saddle to ride my horse.”

Exceptionally good point!

[drafting_dots]

@red mares

I was shaking my head at “I need a vegan saddle to ride my horse.”

Same, but I didn’t go there because it COULD be for sustainability reasons not moral/ethical. Digressing, are there any big posts on here about the morality of it all because I find myself thinking about it more and more… and I’m not even a vegetarian.