What is the best material for tack?
Should you choose a BioThane, leather or rope bridle?
Rope and leather have been traditional options for tack for centuries, but now BioThane is making huge waves in the equestrian market.
What is BioThane?
BioThane is a type of synthetic material made in the USA and popular around the world for equestrian use, as well as for other pet uses, fashion and more. It is a premium synthetic material made from a webbed mesh of polyester with a soft plastic coating.
The type of BioThane used for Inca Equestrian's bridles and custom tack is Beta 520: the closest thing to leather available and a very high-quality synthetic material. It is available in 36 colours including classic black, vibrant primary colours, contemporary shades and even hi-vis neon options.
What are the advantages of BioThane?
BioThane is a very strong, lightweight, durable and easy-to-clean material, which makes it perfect for equestrian use. It is completely waterproof, UV-stable, stain-resistant, scratch-resistant and non-stretch, giving it exceptional longevity.
Unlike cheap synthetic options such as vinyl, BioThane is not easily prone to cracking and is brittle-resistant to -49°C, remaining supple in even the chilliest winter conditions. Over longer periods of time (usually many years) and depending on a range of environmental factors, it will eventually lose some of that pliability. It is generally expected that BioThane will outlast the life span of an equivalent leather product.
It has a high inherent strength and breaking point, with the 19mm width used as standard for Inca Equestrian tack having a failure weight of around 340kg (that's the weight of five and a half average adults!). Despite this strength, it is more lightweight and flexible than equivalent leather straps.
How easy is it to look after BioThane?
BioThane is extremely easy to keep looking its best. It can be cleaned very effectively with a little water and washing-up liquid or soap, and does not require maintenance with oils or conditioners to maintain its finish and suppleness. You may see some staining on lighter colours over time, particularly areas that come into contact with metal fittings. Proactive cleaning of these areas is recommended to help avoid staining.
BioThane's non-porous surface means that it does not harbour bacteria, dirt or fungal spores and can be easily disinfected, making it much more sanitary and ideal for use in veterinary facilities. Unlike leather, it is resistant to mould and mildew, so does not have to be kept in completely dry conditions to prevent fungal growth.
The pros and cons of leather or rope tack
The traditional options that almost all equestrians will be familiar with for their tack are leather and rope.
^ Please note: this bridle is fitted incorrectly and the cross-under type of bitless bridle shown here should never be used.
Leather is, of course, a plastic-free material, being made from the tanned hide of (usually) cattle or horses. Depending on your personal choices, this can be a pro or a con: on the one hand, it does not contain plastics, but it also does not fit with a vegetarian or vegan lifestyle. Depending on the tans used during leather manufacturing, this may involve treatment with non-biological agents, such as chromium or aluminium salts, though vegetable tanning is commonplace.
Leather can be time-consuming to care for, needing regular cleaning with leather soaps and maintenance with oils to keep it supple and avoid cracks developing. In the often damp conditions we have here in the UK, it is also very susceptible to infections by mould and mildew.
That said, it is a traditional choice and still preferred by the majority of equestrians. The plethora of cheap, poorly made vinyl synthetic tack options have no doubt contributed to this preference in modern times (that was certainly the case with me before I tried BioThane!).
Rope tack is much more common in Western riding and natural horsemanship circles, but is also a very traditional choice for tack with a very long history.
This tack can be made from a huge variety of 'ropes', from very stiff rawhide, tough yachting rope or the lovely soft material used in the rope collection stocked here at Inca Equestrian.
As with all bridles or neckropes, for the sake of horse welfare I never recommend using a very hard material, however popular that choice may be. Due to the often thin nature of rope tack, it is also critical to ensure that their use is appropriate and is not relying on harsh pressure points or very thin strapping. It is for this reason that Inca Equestrian does not stock rope halters for use with direct reining.
Which is best?
Ultimately, the choice between BioThane, leather or rope is a personal one, depending on your needs and preferences.
BioThane was easily the first choice for tack here at Inca Equestrian due to its superior qualities, more affordable materials and huge colour range, but that doesn't mean you won't see leather bridles here in future – in fact, they're already being planned!
