Those leisurely rides were filled with the beautiful sights and sounds that always accompany horseback riding.  One sound that is unmistakable and has remained with me to this day is the sound of a good saddle.  For those who have never ridden a horse, yes, saddles do make a distinctive sound.  What you actually hear is the rubbing together of the various components of a saddle that has been made from genuine vegetable tanned leather.

What is vegetable tanned leather?  Hunters from ancient civilizations would hollow out an old stump, fill it with water and the bark of a tree.  They would then submerse their animal hides in this solution to actually “tan” the skin.  This old world tanning process dates back many centuries, as Attila the Hun, Alexander the Great, and Marco Polo most certainly  owned saddles made from this extremely durable leather.  The inherent nature of this spectacular material enables it to withstand rain, sun, and snow, as well as tremendous wear  and tear.  Have you ever seen an old, worn, scratched and scarred saddle that has gained its beautiful patina and character from years of use?  These “old friends” will long out last their original owner when cared for properly.

The finest equestrian outfitters continue to use Saddle Leather (the lay term for vegetable tanned leather) in producing world-class tack. Martin Dingman insists on this natural undyed leather for the linings on all of his dress belts.  This magnificent leather is unparalleled in beauty and performance, and is the foundation on which Martin creates the worlds very best.  And just like an old saddle, Martin Dingman Saddle Leather lined belts will certainly get better with age!