Where do I get wide leathers?

[dacasodivine]

I have a western sports saddle with regular fenders. They are just a hair too long with no way to shorten them more unless I cut them. I don’t really want to do that. I see the newer sports saddles have a more English style fender but wider.

I am only seeing them on the Bob Marshall website. Is there anywhere else to get them?

Or any handy ideas on something else that would do the trick? I did think of changing to leathers but want to keep my western stirrups and regular leathers would be too narrow to use with western stirrups.

[trailpal]

http://www.downunderweb.com/store/Tack_Leathers.html

Or http://www.rakuten.com/prod/royal-king-stirrup-leathers-2-x-66-russet/257908342.html

I used to have a set of 2" leathers made of seat belt material, but I could never get the buckles positioned so I didn’t hurt myself.

Will you be using Western stirrups or English irons? If western stirrups, you’ll need to measure how wide the neck is. Not sure how those english irons work with those aussie leathers.

[Malda]

Downunder also sells synthetic/nylon leathers which aren’t listed on the leathers page (but are mentioned on their synthetic saddle page). I’ve had mine for several years and they’re wonderful! Very flat and I don’t need to use half-chaps (I ride English). Not sure which sizes they come in, but you can call the company and ask. They’re not very expensive, either.

[dacasodivine]

Thanks Trail Pal. I will go check them out.

I plan to use my western stirrups but will have a look at what they have there. I have read the buckle can be uncomfortable so was looking at getting fleece covers for them if need be or I will wrap them.

[trailpal]

It sort of depends on where the size of the buckle and where it sits, and even how you foot fits in the stirrup. When I use just a regular english leather, I often put wool fuzzies over the leather and don’t even need my half-chaps!

Try it out, don’t be afraid to try the leather upside down or backwards if you need to get the buckle out of the way

[dacasodivine]

trailpal, I was looking at those wool fuzzies and probably will be my next purchase. They look soft and comfortable. No worries the horse or me will be rubbed or pinched.

I will know soon how I like the leathers. They had a pair on sale for half price ($33). They should be here tomorrow. LOL

I e-mailed two other places asking about wider leathers and they never got back to me. I called one place who said they had them but had no photos on their site so I could know for certain they were what I was looking for. These guys had photos and measurements and it was simple to click and buy.

[trailpal]

Looking forward to how they work out for you!