Leather care – the basics

Leather is one of the most premium materials in the textile industry. In order to sustainably maintain the numerous advantages of this natural product, regular care plays an important role. There are numerous types of leather, all based on different manufacturing and processing methods. But which types of leather are preferred for equestrian sports and what are the advantages of smooth leather, suede leather & Co.

Detail view of leather riding boot in stirrup

Not all leather is the same – types of leather and their properties.

Leather is a natural material obtained from animal hides. In several manufacturing steps, the rawhide becomes the final product for the production of riding clothes and horse accessories. The most important step in production is the tanning. After intensive pre-treatment, the leather is preserved by tanning. Nowadays, this is usually done with the help of chrome tanning, which, in contrast to the original plant-based method, only takes a few days.

The leather is then dried and can be further processed. There are various ways to give the material the finishing touch, such as applying colour, coating, smoothing the surface, embossing, etc.

How exactly do the different types of leather come about? We explain which leathers are most commonly used in our range and what distinguishes them.

Smooth leather

Smooth leather is the term used for all types of leather that are obtained from the grain (= outside of the animal skin). The grain (= surface structure of the leather) varies depending on the type of leather. Smooth leather is often used in equestrian sports because it is very durable and the smooth surface is dirt-repellent.

Use: Saddles, bridles, headcollars, reins, riding boots, leather hats

Feel: smooth and cool

Properties: dirt and water repellent, resilient and robust

Variants: oiled leather, which is additionally oiled and/or waxed

Seat of a black leather saddle
Smooth leather is characterised by its smooth and cool feel. In equestrian sports, smooth leather is considered an all-rounder – it is used for horse accessories and for high-quality leather riding boots.

SELECTED SMOOTH LEATHER PRODUCTS

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    STEEDS Stable Winter Jodhpur Boots Master V - 741291 10 %

    STEEDS

    Stable Winter Jodhpur Boots Master V

    £69.90

    £62.91

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    CLARIDGE HOUSE Cavesson Bridle Comfort Space - 320838 10 %

    CLARIDGE HOUSE

    Cavesson Bridle Comfort Space

    £84.90

    £76.41

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    SHOWMASTER Leather Headcollar Siri - 440748 10 %

    SHOWMASTER

    Leather Headcollar Siri

    £32.90

    £29.61

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    CLARIDGE HOUSE Leather Headcollar Stitch - 440931 10 %

    CLARIDGE HOUSE

    Leather Headcollar Stitch

    £42.90

    £38.61

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    Felix Bühler Bridle Gently Anatomical Innovation - 320767 10 %

    Felix Bühler

    4.8 Customer review of the product 4

    Bridle Gently Anatomical Innovation

    £99.90

    £89.91

    4.8 Customer review of the product 4
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    Felix Bühler Paddock Boots Torino - 740461 10 %

    Felix Bühler

    5.0 Customer review of the product 1

    Paddock Boots Torino

    £129.00

    from £80.91

    5.0 Customer review of the product 1
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    CLARIDGE HOUSE Dressage Saddle New Generation - 110320 10 %

    CLARIDGE HOUSE

    Dressage Saddle New Generation

    £599.00

    £539.10

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    CLARIDGE HOUSE Leather Girth Naira - 220277 10 %

    CLARIDGE HOUSE

    4.4 Customer review of the product 10

    Leather Girth Naira

    £69.90

    £62.91

    4.4 Customer review of the product 10
Suede leather seat on western saddle
Suede leather is more commonly found on the seat of saddles. It is robust and offers the rider a better grip.

Suede leather

Suede leather is often referred to as suede in conventional usage. However, suede is exclusively leather that is obtained from wild animals. Depending on the type of split used, suede is divided into suede (= obtained from the flesh split or the reverse side of smooth leather) and nubuck leather (= polished smooth leather from the grain split).

Use: riding boots, seat & pommels of saddles, western chaps

Feel: warm, velvety, soft

Properties: high wearing comfort, breathable, protection against cold, robust but sensitive to UV radiation, stains and scratches

Variants: Suede leather, nubuck leather

SELECTED PRODUCTS MADE OF SUEDE

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    STONEDEEK Leather Full Chaps - 181552 10 %

    STONEDEEK

    4.6 Customer review of the product 9

    Leather Full Chaps

    £59.90

    £53.91

    4.6 Customer review of the product 9
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    STONEDEEK Bareback Pad Kowi - 183556 10 %

    STONEDEEK

    Bareback Pad Kowi

    £189.00

    £170.10

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    STEEDS Winter Boots Roughlander CX - 740994 10 %

    STEEDS

    Winter Boots Roughlander CX

    £159.00

    £143.10

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    STONEDEEK Western Saddle Gold Line Comfort - 182182 10 %

    STONEDEEK

    Western Saddle Gold Line Comfort

    £699.00

    £629.10

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    STONEDEEK Western Chinks - 183579 10 %

    STONEDEEK

    Western Chinks

    £139.00

    £125.10

Imitation leather

What used to suggest a lack of quality is now enjoying ever-increasing popularity – imitation leather has become a cost-effective alternative to real leather. The main argument for the higher demand for imitation leather products also results from the growing animal welfare and environmental awareness. Over the years, the textile industry has been able to refine the look of the material to such an extent that, at first glance, it is almost impossible to distinguish between genuine and imitation leather. The basis is a simple textile fabric to which a surface of PVC or PU is applied.

Use: riding boots, saddles, horse accessories, trimmings on riding breeches, riding gloves

Feel: analogous to suede or smooth leather, depending on the finish

Properties: inexpensive & easy to care for, however the material does not come close to the natural properties of real leather (breathability, robustness, thermal insulation, etc.)

Variants: SYLKA

SYLKA synthetic leather riding shoes

SELECTED PRODUCTS FROM IMITATION LEATHER

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    STEEDS SYLKA Winter Yard and Riding Boots Barn II - 741292 10 %

    STEEDS

    SYLKA Winter Yard and Riding Boots Barn II

    £49.90

    £44.91

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    CLARIDGE HOUSE SYLKA Synthetic Leather Headcollar Animal Friendly - 440930 12 % + 10 % EXTRA

    CLARIDGE HOUSE

    SYLKA Synthetic Leather Headcollar Animal Friendly

    £34.90 £39.90

    £31.41

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    CLARIDGE HOUSE SYLKA Synthetic Bridle Animal Friendly - 320826 10 %

    CLARIDGE HOUSE

    SYLKA Synthetic Bridle Animal Friendly

    £64.90

    £58.41

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    SHOWMASTER SYLKA Stirrup Leathers - 270043 10 %

    SHOWMASTER

    5.0 Customer review of the product 1

    SYLKA Stirrup Leathers

    £21.90
    (£21.90 / 1 pair)

    from £19.71

    5.0 Customer review of the product 1
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    SHOWMASTER SYLKA Bell Boots - 530450 10 %

    SHOWMASTER

    4.0 Customer review of the product 1

    SYLKA Bell Boots

    £17.90

    £16.11

    4.0 Customer review of the product 1
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    SHOWMASTER SYLKA Spur Straps - 710089 10 %

    SHOWMASTER

    SYLKA Spur Straps

    £6.99

    £6.29

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