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Why Mohair?

Why Mohair?

By Mike G. Easton

From the mountain tops of Mongolia and the plains of Argentina, the rolling hills of Scotland and the western ranges of America, hair based cinchas have been used for centuries. They were made from wool, mohair, camel hair, horse hair, leather and even human hair. However, over time riders and makers of tack learned that mohair was one of the strongest, softest, and most manageable of fibers to use to create the most durable and beautiful cinchas.

Then in the 1960s, about the same time synthetic saddle pads showed up on the market, so did synthetic cinches. They became the rage and were promoted on the basis of strength, ability to keep clean, cheaper and less cinch soring of the animal. Their popularity also eliminated the production of cord and in particular mohair cord cinchas.

As the informed rider began to notice how saddle soring issues were being reduced with correct saddle fit and wool based saddle pads; they then used this knowledge to transfer back to what happened to the old fashioned mohair cinchas. The dedicated equine enthusiast realized that newer is not always better. Slowly then the demand for mohair cinchas began to rise again.

Riders saw that mohair provided them with the same benefits of wool felt saddle pads. There was less cinch soring, no sweat galling, and no strength deficit, kept the animal cooler and definitely nicer in appearance. They did find more issues with cleanliness maintenance, but saw much more total benefit with its use to ever consider synthetic type cinches.

5 Star cinchas maintains the same world class status with their cinch program as they do with their saddle pads. Using only the finest 8 ply mohair available, twisted with minimal tie breaks and consistent tensile strength, the cinchas are all hand tied by one of the most highly trained and experienced tiers. In the production of cinches they must all be hand tied to maintain the correct length during use and correct relax when not in use. Each cinch is then made individually as a piece of art that provides function and beauty. No other maker offers more colors of pure mohair, backed by 5 Star Equine Products' service and quality.

Comments

The pad that set the standard!

5 Star Experiences

Brittany Nice

United States

I struggled with saddle fit with my mare for almost a year. After spending thousands of dollars trying to find a right saddle/saddle pad combo, I finally tried a 5 star and was immediately hooked. My mare is running harder, clocking better, and is overall happier and more relaxed.

Ashley & Haley Janssen

Janssen Barrel Horses

I recommend your products to everyone I meet. I honesty will NEVER go back to using impact gel, because they made my horses sore and hindered their performance. Thanks for providing the horse industry with a pad they can trust for the next years to come.

Rachel Bromen

Absolutely love my two 5 star pads! One of my horses has a hard to fit back and the other is picky about what feels comfortable on her back. The 5 star pad has made my tricky to fit horse more comfortable in his saddle, and my picky horse isn't as cinchy or crabby anymore

Hella Nelson

USA

My Trusty Rusty and I tend to go on long trail rides. His back used to get sore. But sense we started using Five Star he doesn't anymore. He's tried all of the other brands, and nothing compares!

Larry A Garner

Oak Point, TX

I bought my first 5 Star pad over 15 years ago. I have had several over the years. When I started looking to replace it and become a dealer I inquired to everyone I could about what was the finest saddle pad made. I always heard about this little outfit in Arkansas called 5 Star.

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