Testing Materials Used in Horse Equipment

Materials used in horse equipment work in an unusually demanding environment. They may be exposed to sweat, rain, mud, ultraviolet radiation, repeated flexing, abrasion, cleaning products, temperature changes and sudden peak loads. They are also incorporated into products in which failure can have very different consequences: a faded rug is inconvenient, a failed girth billet may result in a fall, and a defective helmet or body protector may increase the severity of an injury.

Testing therefore has to be understood at three levels:

• Material testing: measuring properties such as tensile strength, tear resistance, abrasion resistance, corrosion resistance or chemical composition.
• Component testing: examining stitched assemblies, buckles, rings, fasteners, foam panels, shell systems or laminated constructions.
• Finished-product testing: evaluating the complete article, including its design, dimensions, fit, attachment points, seams, adjustment systems and instructions.

A material can perform well in isolation and still be unsuitable in a finished article. Conversely, a material with modest laboratory properties may be appropriate when used in a redundant, lightly loaded or well-protected part of a design. The relevant question is not simply whether a material is “strong”, but whether the complete product remains fit for its intended use throughout its expected service life.

What testing is intended to establish

A useful test programme begins with a failure analysis. The manufacturer should identify what the product is expected to do, what loads and environmental conditions it will encounter, and what happens if a particular part fails. This is sometimes formalised as a risk assessment or design hazard analysis.

Typical performance questions include:

• Will a leather strap resist the expected working load without excessive elongation, cracking or tearing?
• Will a stitched joint fail progressively or suddenly?
• Will a metal ring deform, fracture or pull through its attachment point?
• Will a synthetic webbing retain useful strength after wetting, drying, abrasion and ultraviolet exposure?
• Will a coating transfer colour, become sticky, crack or release restricted chemicals?
• Will a protective foam absorb impact energy after ageing and repeated use?
• Will a helmet retention system remain effective under the specified test conditions?

Testing may be used for design verification, supplier approval, incoming-goods inspection, production quality control, investigation of complaints, or regulatory and competition compliance. These purposes should not be confused. A one-off development test does not automatically demonstrate that every production batch is equivalent.

Sampling, conditioning and test validity

The reliability of a result depends heavily on how the sample was selected and prepared. Leather is naturally variable: fibre orientation, location within the hide, thickness, scars, grain structure and finishing can all affect performance. Textile and webbing properties may vary by direction, while moulded plastics can vary between locations in a component because of flow, weld lines and wall thickness.

Samples should be traceable to a defined product, material batch, supplier lot and date. The test report should identify the specimen orientation, dimensions, thickness, conditioning atmosphere, test speed, equipment, number of specimens and any deviations from the method. A result without this information is difficult to compare with another result.

Conditioning is particularly important. Many materials respond differently when dry, wet, warm or cold. Leather standards provide dedicated procedures for specimen location and preparation, and for conditioning test pieces before physical testing. ISO 2418:2023 covers the position and preparation of laboratory specimens in leather, while ISO 2419:2024 covers specimen and test-piece conditioning. These documents do not make a leather item suitable for saddlery by themselves; they help make leather test results reproducible.

Testing should also reflect the intended use. A riding boot, saddle flap, stable rug and bridle may all use leather, but they have different requirements for flexing, moisture exposure, abrasion, surface finish and load transfer. A footwear or apparel specification should not automatically be treated as a saddlery specification.

Leather used in saddlery and harness

Leather is a fibrous, anisotropic material rather than a uniform sheet. Its performance depends on the animal species, hide location, tanning system, fibre structure, thickness, splitting, retanning, lubrication, finishing and moisture condition.

Key mechanical tests

ISO 23910:2019 provides a method for measuring stitch tear resistance in leather. ISO 17076-1:2020 addresses abrasion resistance using the Taber method, while ISO 17076-2:2011 uses a Martindale ball-plate method. These are recognised methods, but the choice of method must still relate to the actual contact and movement experienced by the product.

Water-related results need careful interpretation. A leather specimen may resist water in a laboratory test while a finished bridle or girth absorbs moisture through unsealed edges, punched holes, stitching or joins. Oils, conditioners and surface finishes can also change water behaviour without necessarily improving structural durability.

Leather chemistry and restricted substances

Chemical testing can address substances used in tanning, dyeing, finishing or manufacturing. Examples include chromium(VI), formaldehyde, certain solvents, N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances where relevant to the specification or regulatory assessment.

ISO 20137:2023 provides guidance on critical chemical testing in leather. It emphasises that leather is a complex substrate and that extraction and measurement methods must be selected carefully. A chemical result should therefore state the method, detection limit, sample preparation and whether the result is reported against the whole material, coating or extract.

For GB businesses, chemical compliance may involve UK REACH as well as product-safety and consumer-protection requirements. UK REACH is not a general quality mark and does not demonstrate mechanical strength. It is a regulatory framework for controlling chemical substances, including restrictions and authorisation requirements. A supplier declaration can be useful, but for higher-risk or disputed claims, targeted laboratory analysis and supply-chain evidence are more persuasive.

Textiles, webbing, thread and laminated fabrics

Rugs, saddlecloths, fly veils, boots, clothing and many harness components depend on woven, knitted or laminated textiles. Common fibres include polyester, polyamide, polypropylene, cotton, wool and elastane. Fibre identity alone does not predict performance: yarn construction, denier, weave, coating, finish, seam design and fabric weight can be equally important.

Mechanical performance

Tensile testing measures force and extension in defined directions. Tear testing examines how a cut propagates. Burst or puncture tests may be relevant to padded or mesh products. Seam strength testing is especially important because the fabric may be stronger than the sewn joint. The report should identify whether failure occurred in the fabric, thread, seam, fastener or attachment area.

A high “denier” or fabric weight is not, by itself, proof of durability. Denier describes the linear density of fibres or yarns, not the complete performance of a finished rug. A tightly woven lighter fabric may outperform a heavier but poorly constructed textile in a particular abrasion or tear application.

For webbing and thread, relevant considerations include:

• breaking force and extension;
• strength retention after abrasion and flexing;
• resistance to ultraviolet exposure;
• wet and dry performance;
• compatibility with the needle size, stitch pattern and edge treatment;
• slippage through buckles and adjustment hardware;
• resistance to heat generated during sewing or moulding;
• colour and finish stability.

Thread strength is not equivalent to seam strength. A seam may fail because of poor stitch density, inadequate edge distance, incorrect tension, cut-through, local abrasion or a weak substrate. Critical load-bearing seams should therefore be tested as assemblies rather than inferred from thread specifications.

Textile identification and claims

In GB, textile products within the relevant legal scope must generally disclose fibre composition. The label must be durable, legible, visible and accessible, and different fibre compositions in separate components may need to be stated separately. The legal labelling requirement is not a performance certification. “Polyester” identifies a fibre; it does not guarantee waterproofness, tear strength, UV stability or breathability.

Environmental or performance claims should be supported by evidence. Terms such as recycled, organic, waterproof, breathable, antimicrobial or UV resistant need a clearly defined basis. Where a claim depends on a percentage of a particular fibre or treatment, the business should retain supplier records or test evidence supporting that percentage or property.

Metals and metal fittings

Rings, buckles, snaps, hooks, bars, stirrup components and rivets may be made from stainless steel, plated steel, aluminium, brass, bronze or other alloys. The correct material depends on the required strength, stiffness, weight, corrosion resistance, surface condition and compatibility with other metals.

Typical tests include tensile or proof loading, dimensional inspection, hardness, coating thickness, salt-spray or cyclic corrosion exposure, and chemical composition analysis. Corrosion testing is comparative rather than a guarantee of service life. A salt-spray result under an artificial atmosphere does not reproduce every stable, field or competition environment.

Design and attachment are as important as alloy choice. A strong ring can pull through weak leather; a sound buckle can fail if its tongue or bar is incorrectly seated; and a plated component can lose protection at cut edges or areas of rubbing. Testing should reproduce the complete load path, including stitching, rivets, holes, folded layers, keeper loops and the hardware itself.

Galvanic corrosion can occur when dissimilar metals are electrically connected in the presence of moisture. Sweat and stable conditions can create a conductive environment. Inspection should look for pitting, bubbling or lifting plating, sharp corrosion products, seized moving parts and thinning at load-bearing sections.

Polymers, rubber and foams

Polyurethane, PVC, polyethylene, polypropylene, thermoplastic elastomers, silicone and natural or synthetic rubbers appear in reins, boots, girths, grip surfaces, seals, protective equipment and flexible fittings. Their properties can change substantially with temperature, ultraviolet radiation, oils, cleaning agents and time.

Important tests may include tensile strength, elongation, tear strength, hardness, compression set, flex cracking, abrasion, low-temperature flexibility, heat ageing, UV ageing and chemical resistance. For foams used in protective equipment, compression behaviour, energy absorption, thickness recovery and performance after ageing are particularly relevant.

“Memory foam”, “impact foam” or “shock absorbing” are descriptive or marketing terms unless linked to a defined test method and acceptance criterion. A foam may feel soft and comfortable but transmit substantial peak force in a particular impact configuration. Conversely, a firm foam may absorb energy effectively while being less comfortable. Material selection must be tied to the protective design and the applicable standard.

Protective equipment: the finished article matters

Protective riding equipment is subject to a different level of scrutiny from ordinary clothing or decorative tack. The relevant standard normally specifies not only materials but also construction, dimensions, test fixtures, conditioning, impact or penetration tests, retention systems, marking and user information.

Riding helmets

BS EN 1384:2023 is the current British adoption identified by BSI for helmets for equestrian activities. The standard covers requirements and test methods associated with matters such as construction, field of vision, shock absorption, penetration resistance, lateral deformation, retention systems, peak deflection, marking and information.

A helmet’s compliance is not established by testing the shell material alone. The shell, liner, harness, adjustment system, peak and geometry must work together. Correct size and adjustment are also essential, but good fit does not turn a non-compliant helmet into a compliant one. A helmet that has experienced a significant impact may have internal damage that is not obvious externally; replacement decisions should follow the manufacturer’s instructions and the rules of the relevant organisation.

Body and shoulder protectors

The BETA 2018 Body Protector Standard is widely used in equestrian sport and is stated by BETA to meet the requirements of EN 13158. The standard concerns protective performance, construction, coverage, labelling and related requirements. BETA also identifies different protection levels, which should not be treated as interchangeable descriptions of comfort or general quality.

Protective performance depends on the complete garment, including panel layout, closures, overlap, fit and coverage. A laboratory result for foam or a panel is not sufficient evidence for the assembled protector. Purchasers should check the exact label, edition and level accepted by the governing body, competition organiser or employer.

Ageing, maintenance and service life

New-product testing cannot fully predict every field failure. Service life is affected by frequency of use, storage, cleaning, sweat, moisture, abrasion, folding, heat, sunlight, repairs and accidental damage. A product may pass an initial test but deteriorate after repeated exposure.

Ageing programmes can include:

• cyclic wetting and drying;
• artificial ultraviolet exposure;
• heat and humidity conditioning;
• repeated flexing or fatigue;
• abrasion against representative materials;
• cleaning-agent or perspiration exposure;
• load cycling of straps, buckles and attachment points;
• freeze-thaw or low-temperature conditioning where relevant.

These tests are most useful when followed by the same mechanical or protective test applied to an unaged sample. The result should be expressed as retained performance, not just as a statement that the item survived ageing. A product that loses 40% of a critical property may still appear intact but may no longer provide an adequate safety margin.

How to assess a test report

A credible report should allow another competent person to understand what was tested and how. Look for:

• the exact product name, model, size, material and batch;
• the laboratory’s identity and competence;
• the test standard and edition;
• specimen number, dimensions and sampling plan;
• conditioning and environmental exposure;
• equipment, calibration status and test speed;
• individual results as well as averages;
• failure mode and location;
• measurement uncertainty where relevant;
• the pass/fail criterion and who defined it;
• photographs or diagrams where construction affects interpretation;
• any deviations, substitutions or limitations.

Be cautious with phrases such as “tested to”, “laboratory approved”, “military grade”, “premium leather”, “heavy duty” or “competition quality”. “Tested to” may mean that a method was used without meeting every requirement of a standard. A certificate may cover one model, one size or one production sample. It may also be issued for a component rather than the complete article.

Material testing compared with conformity assessment

Testing and conformity assessment are related but different. Testing generates evidence about specified properties. Conformity assessment determines whether a product meets a defined set of requirements and may involve inspection, quality-system controls, technical documentation, declarations, certification or market surveillance.

In GB, businesses placing products on the market remain responsible for product safety and accurate information. The UK government describes manufacturers, importers and distributors as economic operators with obligations under product-safety legislation. A voluntary standard can support a safety case, but it does not remove the need for an appropriate risk assessment, traceability, instructions and complaint handling.

Not every item of horse equipment has a dedicated mandatory product standard. Ordinary saddlery and rugs may be governed principally by general product-safety, consumer-protection, chemical and labelling requirements, while specified personal protective equipment may have additional conformity obligations. The applicable rules depend on the product’s intended purpose and claims.

Practical selection checklist

1. Define the intended use, user, horse, load, environment and foreseeable misuse.
2. Identify the consequences of failure and the parts that require the greatest safety margin.
3. Specify the material, construction and acceptable performance rather than relying on a generic material name.
4. Use recognised test methods where they genuinely represent the service conditions.
5. Test complete assemblies for load-bearing products.
6. Include wet, dry, aged, abraded and chemically exposed samples where those conditions are foreseeable.
7. Check batch-to-batch consistency and retain production records.
8. Verify labelling, instructions, warnings and claims against the evidence.
9. Set inspection and replacement criteria for products exposed to wear or impact.
10. Review failures and complaints as engineering data, not merely as customer-service issues.

Common misconceptions

“Natural leather is always stronger than synthetic material.”

Neither category has a universal advantage. Performance depends on construction, thickness, fibre or polymer type, finishing, stitching and environmental exposure. A synthetic webbing may offer consistent strength and moisture resistance, while leather may provide desirable handling and flex characteristics. The relevant comparison is between defined products and test conditions.

“A thicker material is automatically safer.”

Thickness can improve some properties but may reduce flexibility, fit or correct load distribution. In protective equipment, excess thickness can alter coverage and ergonomics. In straps, a thick but poorly attached material may still fail at the hole or seam.

“A passing material test proves the tack is safe.”

It does not. Assembly details, edge distances, stitch patterns, hardware geometry, fit and ageing can govern failure. Finished-product testing is essential where failure can cause injury.

“Waterproof means durable.”

Water resistance describes a particular interaction with water. It does not establish resistance to abrasion, flexing, sweat, ultraviolet exposure, cleaning chemicals or load cycling.

Conclusion

Good testing of horse equipment is a chain of evidence. It starts with the intended use and the consequences of failure, continues through controlled material and component testing, and ends with verification of the finished product in realistic conditions. For manufacturers and trade professionals, the strongest evidence combines representative sampling, recognised methods, documented specifications, ageing studies, production controls and accurate claims. For owners and buyers, the most useful questions are: what exactly was tested, against which edition of which method, on which component or finished product, under what conditions, and how closely does that evidence match the equipment’s intended use?

Sources and further reading

• BSI: BS EN 1384:2023 equestrian helmet certification example
• BSI: BS EN 1384, Helmets for equestrian activities
• British Equestrian Trade Association: Body protectors
• BETA: 2018 Standard for Body and Shoulder Protectors
• ISO 2418:2023, Leather — Chemical, physical, mechanical and fastness tests — Position and preparation of specimens for testing
• ISO leather standards catalogue
• ISO 20137:2023, Guidelines for testing critical chemicals in leather
• GOV.UK: Textile labelling
• Health and Safety Executive: UK law on the design and supply of products
• Health and Safety Executive: UK REACH authorisation overview
• GOV.UK: Product safety law — advice for manufacturers and importers

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