Leather is a natural product appreciated for its beauty, strength and longevity. Bates Australia use only the finest hand selected hides from the best tanneries in the world. The quality of leather is largely determined by the grade of cattle from which it originates and the type of tanning and curing processes it undergoes.
Bates Australia use leathers that are pure aniline dyed as opposed to pigment dyed. Aniline is used on only the highest quality hides as it does not cover the natural markings of the leather nor close the leathers natural pores. The pure aniline finish gives you an appreciation for the depth of leather and the individual characteristics and markings in a hide not visible on a painted pigment surface.
The leather used in the seats and panel of all Bates leather saddles is also open grain pure aniline dyed leather, specially tanned for high sweat resistance and to be soft and supple for horse and rider comfort.
Double Grain leather incorporated by Bates in some of the specialised saddles in the range is made from hides that have been double shrunken to achieve extra softness and thickness. The open grain and increased substance of the leather allows it to cushion the rider as the top layer of grain moves against the bottom layer. The double grain surface pattern creates a grip and texture not achievable by any other leather.
All Bates leather girth points are specially made from chrome tanned heavy ox croupons that are hot stuffed with a special mixture of oil and waxes and pre-stretched for longer durability.