tried&tested The BGD Dressage girth from Jaguar The BGD Dressage girth from Jaguar is manufactured using super soft full grain leather and is shaped behind the elbow to provide a superior, comfortable fit. The girth is features pockets for the girths straps, a central D ring and stainless steel buckles.
Padded Atherstone Girth from Caldene The Padded Atherstone Girth is manufactured from a high quality, vegetable tanned leather which is eco-friendly and ensures the leather is extremely strong and supple. The leather used in making this girth is perfect for equestrian leatherwork, leaving a beautiful consistent finish and soft supple feel.
Colours: Black or Havana Sizes: 20” - 32” RRP: £92.40 Jaguar Equestrian Tel: 01922 612238 The girth can be purchased online at www.thermatex.co.uk
Colours: Black or Havana Sizes: 32” to 60” RRP: £79.50 www.caldene.co.uk
LR Comment: This girth is made from such beautiful soft leather that I didn’t have to oil it before use. It fitted perfectly and I noticed a marked improvement in the stability of my saddle (I had previously been using a synthetic straight cut dressage girth). I give it a quick clean after use and it is still looking like new.
Leather accessories Leather Organiser Bag A compact multi-pocketed leather bag with elastic keepers, a reinforced base with metal stud feet, and comfortable handles. Ideal for storing and carrying all sorts of equipment, the bag has a semi-rigid mouldable top to maintain its shape and keep contents visible and accessible. RRP: £28.99 www.belstane.com LR Comment: I love this bag. It is the sort of thing that makes me feel good when I use it. The leather is beautifully soft and lovely to touch and the bag itself has lots of different pockets, which helps to keep me organised. It is great for the groom to take into the show ring, but is also perfect for storing your grooming kit in at the yard.
LR Comment: This girth is made from lovely soft leather and is padded and shaped to be more comfortable for the horse. I do like leather girths as they are easy and quick to clean.
Kate Negus Balance Strap The Balance Strap is ideal for any time when it might be useful to have something to hold on to, or as a way to help keep the rider’s hands still whilst maintaining a contact, by simply hooking a finger through it when required. It’s made from rolled English leather and attached to the D rings on the saddle. Colours: Black or Chestnut RRP: £32.50 www.katenegus.com LR Comment: The quality of leather and the standard of craftmanship in the design of this balance strap is outstanding. The buckles were easy to open and close as soon as it arrived, without needing any treatment to the leather. It is one of those items which is just great to have in the drawer in case a ‘novice’ rider comes for a ride. Perhaps it is a good investment for the summer holidays.
How clean is your tack? Whatever you are doing with your horse this summer your tack needs to be cleaned and nourished.
NAF’s Leather Care range offers something for every tack care need... The comprehensive NAF Leather Care range of seven highly effective products to clean and care for saddlery, offers everyone a choice. Whatever your need, personal preference or budget there is a product to suit you... The NAF Leather care collection includes products to cleanse, nourish and soften leather helping to maintain your saddlery and bridlework in tip top condition:
Professional Leather Cleanse
A deep cleansing solution to clean and supple leather in one easy step. Professional Leather Balsam
A rich, intensive conditioner to feed and nourish the finest leather.
Leather Soft Soap
LR Comment:
A unique, soft formula to help remove dirt and grease whilst softening the leather.
Keeping your tack cleaned and in good condition is imperative to its longevity and your safety. If you clean your tack regularly it is easy to give it a quick wipe over in between proper cleans, just to keep it looking and feeling good. The weather has been strange this year, first of all we had very hot weather and the last few weeks torrential rain. In the hotter weather I found my saddle was drying out slightly so I used lots of leather balsam. I also found this fairly water repellent during the rainy season. NAF produces a wide range of leather products that are good value for money and will help keep your tack in winning form.
Neatsfoot Oil
Professional Leather Food
The traditional choice of saddlers. A fast acting oil to nourish and re-hydrate dried out, brittle leather.
A luxuriously rich lotion to moisturise leather. Ideal for softening stiff new leatherwork.
All products come with the added bonus of a free sponge.
Leather Quick Clean
This quick tack cleaner makes easy work of cleaning dirty saddlery and bridlework. Leather Solid Soap
A much favoured, traditional glycerine saddle soap, with the added bonus of citronella content.
RRP’s: From: £4.95 Available from NAF stockists nationwide. For more details please call the NAF Freephone Advice Line: 0800 373 106, email: info@naf-uk.com or go to www.naf-uk.com
52 Localrider august 2011
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