Our Materials - BioThane Beta & Stainless Steel



BioThane®
Sometimes just called Beta or Bio or Gold or Glossy - it is the completely maintenance-free coated webbing strap we use to make our Horse Tack. The BioThane Beta feels and looks like leather but simply out performs leather in every way. This is why the Amish have been using it for their hardworking horse tack almost exclusively since 1977 when it was first put on the market. BioThane was invented, developed and is still manufactured in the USA.

Today, the same BioThane Beta and Glossy Gold series strap used in our Equine Tack is used by human athletes too. The protective pads used by every Professional & College Football player use BioThane strap. Snow shoes worn in climbs up Mt. Everest use BioThane straps instead of leather. BioThane is even used by NASA in outer space and by our Military. Because of its antimicrobial properties, it’s a preferred strapping material for gurneys in the Medical field, in Hospitals and by Emergency Medical Techs. Next time you see a construction worker doing high work, wearing a safety harness, chances are that harness relies on BioThane® straps. You can trust BioThane's materials when riding your Equine Athlete.

A few of BioThane’s Performance Advantages over Leather Horse Tack:

  • Wash 'n Wear - Dunk it in a bucket of soapy water or just hose it off. It’s that easy to clean.
  • Maintenance Free - No conditioners, oils or leather potions are ever required. BioThane will not dry out or crack.
  • Antimicrobial – Sweat, blood, germs, other gross stuff and their odor is not absorbed.
  • Strong –All BioThane is stronger than leather, and we go one step further—we use the “Super Heavy” Equine strength BioThane. The heaviest duty that is appropriate for horseback riding tack. Yet, it’s still 20% lighter in weight than leather.
  • Weatherproof – It does not get stiff in the cold, or gooey in warm weather. Not every horseback ride is on a sunny 70 degree day.
  • Waterproof – Cross a river, or get caught in the rain with one less concern. We heat seal every hole to assure our finished product remains waterproof.
  • Care Free – It will not Mold or Mildew. Go ahead; keep it in your horse trailer or barn year round. It’s even resistant to many chemicals (think Fly Spray & Medicines).

BioThane® strap comes in two coatings / finishes. Both have the same strong, web interior.

  • BioThane Beta looks and feels like Leather. Has a textured matte finish, like leather. It is used to create the traditional leather look in Western or English riding tack.
  • BioThane Glossy is smoother and is shiny. It’s thinner and lighter weight is popular with Endurance Riders, Racers and others.

Both BioThane Beta and BioThane Glossy finishes come in many colors. Our Tack comes in a solid color of your choice; two-tone tack for a little “flash;” or, just to add a nice accent color to Browbands, Breast Collars & accessories.

BIOTHANE ® is a registered trademark of BioPlastics Company, Inc. in North Ridgeville, OH and is used under license. All Rights reserved.
BIOTHANE ® is Made in America. Do not be fooled by offshore knock-offs, even if sold in the US

OUR TACK HARDWARE & FITTINGS - The Buckles, Snaps, Conchos, Loops, Snap, Rings, Screws, etc.

All of our hardware is made from high quality, non-ferrous Stainless Steel. Not a stainless steel finish or plating – our Hardware is Stainless Steel to the core. Stainless Steel is the only readily available metal that will stand up to the performance requirements of our Tack. It is strong; it's finish is not altered by sweat & washings. It does not peel, tarnish, rust or corrode, even after years of service. Stainless Steel hardware is the standard for Marine fasteners and it is the only hardware the Amish will use on their own Harness & Tack.
Nickel
 Brass Stainless Steel
StrengthGoodBetterBest
Tarnish Resistancen/aNoYes
Rust ResistanceNoPitsYes

We have given a great deal of thought to the selection of each piece of hardware. Our snaps are strong and secure, but easily opened with one thumb. Thumb-Touch Snaps mean NO struggle or extra strength needed. Many of our customers have small hands or arthritic hands. Hassle free is the goal. Did we mention our LIFETIME WARRANTY includes every buckle and snap?

Most of our products are shown with and proudly feature the Horse Shoe Brand Hardware. Yes, its stainless steel too. We call this Western Embossed finish. Horse Shoe Brand is made by saddle maker and Western leather craftsmen, Jeremiah Watt. You’ll immediately notice the detailing in the finishes. The man certainly can make a utilitarian Conway Buckle look like Jewelry.

What you may not notice is the engineering and functional quality in each Jeremiah Watt piece. Buckles are engineered so that the straps lay flat. At the base of each buckle “tongue” are two raised grooves to prevent the tongue from flopping side-to-side. The welded metal loop on the back side of Horse Shoe Brand Bridle Loop Concho is thicker than normal. A Horse Shoe Brand Concho actually has a chance to survive, if your horse rubs on a tree. Metal artistry is applied throughout the Western Embossed Series Horse Shoe tack hardware that Jeremiah Watt designs.

On most tack we offer Polished Finish stainless steel hardware as an option. One of the nice features of the Polished Finish hardware is the Stainless Steel Roller Buckle. If a Tack fit adjustment is needed, the strap glides over that little roller. The roller buckle is small difference in look, but a noticeable difference in function. Handy if you adjust your horse's tack frequently. Durable and functional hardware is used throughout. All in Stainless Steel

OUR BLING - Covered by our LIFETIME WARRANTY
Metal Spots - Round shaped Spots & Diamond shaped Spots are Stainless Steel
Crystal Spots - Large or Small Crystal Spots are not available in stainless steel. However, they are still covered by our lifetime warranty
Decorative Conchos - Western Embossed by Jeremiah Watt Horse Shoe Brand to match our other tack hardware

Who makes BioThane Tack?
SpecTACKular does. Right here in the USA! Just like leather horse tack manufacturers, who buy leather, then sew & assemble it to create their company's product. We create our own exclusive, original ideas and design patterns for every piece of the horse tack that we manufacturer and sell. We have chosen to use BioThane Beta strapping instead of leather to make our products. It's the best material for the job.

We are not a reseller. We do not copycat. Years of thought, experience, trial and error go into each tack pattern by real horseback riders. Every new tack design pattern is field tested by horseback riders on horses until the tack pattern is perfected and ready to be Made for You and your horse by SpecTACKular craftsmen.

You can purchase BioThane Beta tack elsewhere, but you cannot purchase the quality of SpecTACKular Tack anywhere else!