News – Solo Saddlers

Horse Riding Boots: How to Choose Between Long Boots, Jodhpur Boots and Gaiters

Which horse riding boots do you actually need? Our saddlers explain long boots, jodhpur boots, gaiters and half chaps, what makes a boot safe in the stirrup, and how to get the fit right.

Horse Supplements: What Your Horse Actually Needs and When to Feed Them

Which horse supplements does your horse actually need? Our saddlers explain why forage comes first, when salt and electrolytes matter, and how to choose vitamin, hoof, joint and calming supplements without doubling up.

Fly Spray for Horses: Types, Application and How to Choose the Right One

Fly spray for horses explained: natural, cypermethrin and DEET repellents, sprays versus gels and wipes, how to apply fly spray safely and how to choose the right one.

Horse Blinkers Explained: Types, Fitting and When Your Horse Needs Them

Horse blinkers explained: full, half and closed cups, sheepskin cheek sleeves, ear pocket hoods and driving winkers, plus how to fit blinkers and introduce them safely.

Endurance Saddle Guide: How to Choose Tack That Goes the Distance

An endurance saddle has one job that no other saddle is asked to do in quite the same way: keep a horse sound, comfortable and willing over 40, 80 ...

Horse Shoes Explained: Types, Fitting and How Often to Shoe

Ask any experienced saddler or farrier what matters most on a horse and you get the same answer: the feet. Horse shoes are one of the oldest pieces...

Horse Halter Guide: Rope, Nylon or Leather, and How to Fit One Properly

A horse halter is the most-used piece of tack on any yard. It goes on before the grooming kit, before the saddle, before the farrier arrives, and i...

Jodhpurs Explained: Fit, Fabric, and How to Choose the Right Pair

Ask ten riders what they wear in the saddle and you will get ten answers about saddles, bits and boots. Ask what they actually pull on every single...

Fly Masks for Horses: How to Choose, Fit and Get Through Fly Season

Ask any experienced groom what they would buy first when the weather turns, and most will say the same thing: a fly mask. Of all the fly protection...

Bitless Bridles Explained: Cross-Under, Sidepull, Hackamore and How to Choose

Spend enough time at a South African yard and you will meet one rider who swears by a bitless bridle and another convinced the whole idea is nonsen...

Horse Spurs: Types, Correct Use and How to Choose the Right Pair

Spurs are probably the most misunderstood piece of kit in a rider's wardrobe. Ask around any yard and someone will tell you that horse spurs are fo...

Dubbin for Leather: What It Does, When to Use It and When to Reach for Something Else

Ask ten riders what dubbin is for and you will get ten different answers. Some swear by it, some were told never to let it near a good saddle, and ...

Horse Boots: Which Type Your Horse Actually Needs and When to Use Them

Ask ten riders at any South African yard what horse boots they use and you will get ten different answers. Some strap a set of brushing boots on fo...

Horse Grooming Kit: What Every Rider Actually Needs and How to Use It

Ask ten riders what belongs in a horse grooming kit and you will get ten different answers, most of them shaped by whatever they inherited at their...

Stockholm Tar, Hoof Oil, Hoof Balm and Hoof Hardener: Which Does Your Horse Need?

If you have ever stood in front of a shelf of hoof care products wondering which one actually does what, you are not alone. Stockholm tar, hoof oil...

Numnahs and Saddle Pads: How to Choose the Right One for Your Horse

A saddle pad is one of the most overlooked pieces of kit in the tack room, yet it sits at the single most important interface on your horse: the po...

Leather Dye for Horse Tack: How to Restore and Recolour Saddles, Bridles and Boots

Good leather tack is one of the biggest investments an equestrian makes, and it doesn't stay looking new forever. Sun, sweat, rain and years of hon...

Horse Saddles for Sale: A South African Buyer's Guide to Choosing the Right Saddle

Searching for horse saddles for sale is one of the biggest decisions any rider makes. A saddle is the single most important piece of tack you will ...

Western Saddles: Parts, Types, Fit and How to Choose the Right One

A western saddle is built for a different job than the English saddle most South African riders grew up with. Where an English saddle keeps you clo...

Horse Riding Chaps: Types, Gaiters, and How to Choose the Right Pair

If you have ever finished a schooling session with sore, pinched calves or a pair of jodhpurs rubbed raw on the inside seam, a good set of horse ri...

Horse Bridle Types: A Complete Guide to Choosing and Fitting the Right Bridle

Choosing a horse bridle sounds simple until you stand in front of a wall of them and realise just how many styles, sizes, and materials there are. ...

Riding Crops and Whips: Types, Correct Use, and How to Choose the Right One

Few pieces of equipment are as widely used and as widely misunderstood as the riding crop. A riding crop is a short, rigid whip without a lash, des...

Horse Blankets: A South African Winter Guide to Rugs, Weights, and Sizing

South African winter has a way of catching horse owners off guard. One week you're hosing your horse off after a midday ride, the next you're scrap...

Horse Shampoo: How to Choose the Right Wash for Mane, Tail, and Coat

Bath time should leave your horse with a clean, soft, shiny coat — not skin irritation, dry hair, or a tangled mane. The right horse shampoo does m...

Horse Bits Explained: Types, Mouthpieces, and How to Choose the Right One

A practical guide to horse bits from Solo Saddlers — the five main bit families, mouthpiece materials, sizing, common mistakes, and how to pick the right bit for your horse and discipline.

How to Choose a Horse Saddle: A South African Buyer's Guide

A practical guide to choosing a saddle that fits your discipline, your horse, and your budget — written for South African riders by a 35-year-old saddlery business.

Trail Saddles: How to Choose the Right One for Long Days in the Saddle

A good trail saddle is the piece of kit that decides whether a full day out riding leaves you stiff and sore or smiling and already planning the ne...

Horse Riding Helmets: How to Choose the Right One for Safety and Comfort

Whether you're a seasoned showjumper or heading out on your first outride, horse riding helmets are the single most important piece of safety equip...

Horse Stirrups: Types, Materials, and How to Choose the Right Pair

Stirrups are one of those pieces of tack that most riders never give much thought to — until something goes wrong. A foot slipping through, a knee ...

Horse Girth Size Chart: How to Measure and Find the Perfect Fit

Getting the right girth size for your horse isn't just about comfort — it's about safety, saddle stability, and your horse's long-term wellbeing. A...

Why an Adjustable Lightweight Safety Cap is Essential for Your Protection

When it comes to safety, there is no room for compromise. Whether you are working in construction, manufacturing, or any other industry that poses ...

How to choose the right saddle for you and your horse

A basic guide to choosing the right saddle for you and your horse 1 – Decide what type of riding you want to do Eg. Dressage, Endurance, Farm Rid...

December Spoils and Stocking Fillers

December is the most magical time of the year for humans and their horses Little and big humans are on holiday (hopefully) and so are their horse...

Caring For Your Leather

Here in our hot and dry South African climate oiling your leather should be done regularly, every 1-2 weeks or when the leather looks or feels dry....

Solo Saddlers And John Booth In The Financial Mail

Article extracted from the Financial Mail - by Stafford Thomas HORSE POWERED BUSINESS John Booth has had a life long passion for horses. It is a p...

Which Saddle Is Best For You?

Ever been on the market for a saddle for your pony or horse but haven't known where to start? That is where we come in. It is very important that t...

Which Bit For My Horse?

There are many different styles of bit. Sometimes one has to try different ones to see which suits. For general pleasure riding, you do not require...

Saddles For Military, Horseback Safaris, Mounted Security And Trail Riding

For years Solo Saddlers has been making saddles and tack for military and security use in many African countries. We have learned what is most suit...

Choosing the best winter rug for your horse

Choosing the best winter rug for your horse: Choosing a winter rug for your horse can be a bit confusing with so many options / sizes / styles on...

Solo Ultimate Trucking Boots Review - Lichelle West

Dear Solo Saddlers, Thank you for giving me the opportunity to review the Solo Trucking Boots Ultimate Long. I really enjoyed reviewing the truckin...

The Solo Saddlers' Easy Way To Treat And Restore Leather

Leather is a natural product that has a soft, smooth feel with a rich unique leather smell. Like your skin needs nourishment, so does your leather...

Moving to a new stable yard or getting a new horse

Moving your horse to a new stable yard or getting a new horse is always very exciting, but also a little bit nerve-wracking! Let’s start with a c...

Show Checklist for Horse & Rider

Show Checklist for horse & rider Going to a show is super exciting! Let’s make sure you and your horse are well prepared First of all – Check...

Solo Saddlers - Standing The Test Of Time

I have been using Solo Saddlers products for at least 14 years now. I used to lease a Palamino pony that I used to dress in purple numnahs, boots e...

Solo Prolite Helmet Review - Tarishka Bakus

Thank you again to Solo Saddlers for the opportunity to review your Prolite Helmet! The air ventilation with this helmet is by far my favourite fea...

Solo General Purpose Numnah Review - Corlia Swart

The Solo Saddlers general purpose numnah had me a bit sceptical at first as it was not a very attractive looking numnah, but I thought let me not j...

Solo Western Numnah Review - Terri-Lee Rae

I am one of the Facebook winners of the Western/Polox Numnah. The numnah fits really well under my saddle with enough space so the saddle doesn't s...

Solo Trail/Endurance Leather Saddle Review - Sune Piek

I'm so grateful that Solo Saddlers chose me and my horse to review this amazing saddle! The first time I put the saddle on my horse it was quite un...

Solo Trail/Endurance Leather Saddle Review - Lindsay Welken

I received the saddle a month ago, and was really excited to get it out and used, and I must say - I was not disappointed! My initial thoughts when...

Solo Saddlers Featherweight Review - Nadine Räber

Review of the Solo Saddle Trail Featherweight Wide For me there are always two aspects to a saddle. How it fits the horse(s) and how comfortable it...

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