What to do with stretched out stirrup leathers?

[runNjump86]

Ones that are not broken yet? I have a lovely pair of Gary Mundy leathers on my jump saddle that are unevenly stretched out, despite me trying to remember to swap them every few weeks. Apparently I wasn’t careful enough.

I love the leathers, but there is definitely a difference. I don’t want to throw them away since they are still usable but they’re not ideal for riding anymore. So, what should I do with them? I don’t use a neck strap; I just grab mane. I never cared for the feel of a neck strap and always felt clumsy trying to grab it.

[GaitedGloryRider]

You could repurpose them into just about anything that consists of a strip of leather. Dog collar, leash, belt, even a halter if you’re feeling really crafty. I have a friend that made potted plant hangers out of a pair of old leathers, and with a leather splitter made a pretty nice set of reins out of another.

You make all sorts of neat projects out of old leather. Tools aren’t crazy expensive, lots of online tutorials out there and hardware can usually be scrounged from the broken tack pile in the corner of the tack room. Tandy Leather Factory is my favorite place to buy supplies and tools, they carry everything. If they have a shop near you they even have basic classes you can take to learn leatherworking that don’t break the bank. It’s a very addictive hobby!

[MsM]

More holes?

[Highflyer]

I cut them up for halter top straps

[SuckerForHorses]

[QUOTE=Highflyer;8748584]
I cut them up for halter top straps[/QUOTE]

When I first read this, I thought you mean for your shirts…like halter tops. Then I realized that was not what you were talking about :lol:

[Dutchmare433]

I use my old leathers for neck straps–one pair I saved for probably 3 years before I started my baby and did indeed need a neck strap (otherwise I don’t use them either).

[Highflyer]

[QUOTE=SuckerForHorses;8748595]
When I first read this, I thought you mean for your shirts…like halter tops. Then I realized that was not what you were talking about :lol:[/QUOTE]

That would not be pretty!

[trubandloki]

[QUOTE=SuckerForHorses;8748595]
When I first read this, I thought you mean for your shirts…like halter tops. Then I realized that was not what you were talking about :lol:[/QUOTE]
I read it the same way. :lol:

If they were still safe, you simply are not on the same hole number, I would still be using them.

[beowulf]

I use old leathers for a neck strap XC. You say you don’t use them but they are mighty handy when dropping into water on a slippery horse :lol:

that or a belt.

[SweetMutt]

I’m not sure why they aren’t usable - can you just ride with them on different holes and put the shorter on the left side? They will feel weird when they’re off by half a hole, but eventually they even out.

[Jackie_Cochran]

I just punch a few “half holes” on each leather.

I have stirrup leathers decades old with lots of “half holes” decorating them. These leathers are of uneven lenths. I still use them.

[fordtraktor]

I found out a few years ago that instead of a horrible hole punch, I could use my power drill to make holes in things. It is sort of amazing how easy it is. No more trying to wrestle those da%# things.

Just saying. No way would I pitch leathers because of unevenness! Team Jackie Cochran!