1. The ageing process: noble patina vs degrading rubber<\/h2>\n\n\n
The main difference lies in what happens to the material after a year of intensive use.<\/p>\n\n\n
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- Neoprene and synthetics:<\/strong> They are polymers. Under the effect of UV rays, sweat and sand the neoprene begins to “degrade”. It becomes stiff, cracks at the edges, and its structure starts to resemble a grater that painfully injures the horse’s skin. Such a girth<\/a> is irreparable \u2013 it is only fit for throwing away.<\/li>\n\n\n
- Natural leather:<\/strong> Leather is an organic material that, with the right care, “matures”. Instead of deteriorating, it becomes softer and more supple. A good leather girth, oiled regularly, looks and works better after 5 years than on the day of purchase.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n
2. Hygiene and the “hidden” cost (treatment)<\/h2>\n\n\n
Do you know that feeling, when after training with a neoprene girth you see white foam and sores under the horse’s belly? Neoprene does not let air through \u2013 it acts like a plastic film.<\/p>\n\n\n
The economics of health:<\/strong> Treating lumps, abrasions or bacterial skin infections costs money. Ointments, vet visits and \u2013 worst of all \u2013 breaks in training, because “there is no way to saddle the horse”, are real financial losses. Leather, thanks to its porous structure, dissipates excess heat, drastically reducing the risk of skin injuries.<\/p>\n\n\n
3. The safety you can’t buy for 20 \u20ac<\/h2>\n\n\n
A broken buckle or a snapped strap on a girth is a recipe for disaster.<\/p>\n\n\n
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- In cheap nylon and neoprene girths the metal fittings are often made of alloys that rust under the effect of sweat.<\/li>\n\n\n
- In Balotade leather girths we use exclusively stainless steel<\/strong>, and the straps themselves are multi-layered. Leather has a natural, enormous tensile strength that does not drop drastically over time.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n
4. The maths is simple (Comparison table)<\/h2>\n\n\n
- Natural leather:<\/strong> Leather is an organic material that, with the right care, “matures”. Instead of deteriorating, it becomes softer and more supple. A good leather girth, oiled regularly, looks and works better after 5 years than on the day of purchase.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n
![\"Classic](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/balotade.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/Popreg-skorzany-z-fartuchem-Balotade%C2%AE-Shield-1.jpg?fit=600%2C900&ssl=1\")
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\t\t<\/a>\n\n\t\t\n\t\t![\"Pro](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/balotade.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Popreg-skorzany-z-fartuchem-Balotade-Protection-Czarny.jpg?fit=600%2C900&ssl=1\")
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