Is Hilason a Good Saddle Brand? Let’s have An Overall Insight

Ever thought about what makes a horse and rider stick together? It's the saddle - a super important gear in horse riding. A well-fitted saddle can make a big difference for both the rider and the horse. If you're in the market for a saddle, there are lots of brands out there. Today, we're diving into Hilason.

Every time I hit the tack shop for a new saddle, I hear about "Hilason." After getting one and spending some time with it, I've got a better grip on what this brand is all about. 

Hilason is known for making affordable saddles that lots of new and casual riders really like. They're pretty good at what they do.

Want the lowdown on this brand? You're in luck! We're digging into every bit of it, from the leather quality to the prices and how it fits. Stick around to find out if Hilason saddles might be your thing. 

Let's get started on this journey…

About Hilason (History and Overview)

Hilason is a brand that manufactures leather-related products. As the brand says, they focus on creativity more than machine work. Maybe Hilason is not as established as many popular brands. It is a popular name for its decent quality and affordable saddle for casual and recreational riders. Let's take a closer look at the brand and its history.

a)The brand and its history:

In the equestrian world, the Hilason brand is relatively new. It became a brand in the late 20th century. Hilason saddles are manufactured by Saddlery Incorporation, which is located in Texas, USA. 

This business is known for recreating products that have become forgotten over time. They achieved success in the market by offering functional and basic saddles at an affordable cost. They are diversifying and expanding their offering in the 21st century. They now offer a variety of saddles to accommodate various riding disciplines and equine events.

b)The types of saddles offered:

If you are looking for a brand with extensive products and diverse options, Hilason is one of the great suggestions. They offer three types of saddle variations:

• Western: With their deep seat, high cantle, and stirrups for one-handed riding, these saddles are designed for comfort. Western saddles have a fashionable Western appearance and are used for trail riding, performance, and barrel racing. Most of these saddles are relaxing for long rides and sturdy for working discipline. Horses look wonderful wearing Hilason western saddles.
• English: These saddles are designed with a flat seat and low cantle, perfect for two-hand riding. The combination of leather and synthetic material ensures an elegant look, and the stainless steel hardware supports the rider while riding.

These lightweight saddles allow close contact with horses. Different styles, such as jumping, dressage, or general-purpose saddles, are suitable. Most English riders use these for their comfort and affordable price. 

• Treeless: Treeless saddles are designed with a flexible frame which allows conformation to the horse’s back. Flexible frame materials used in these saddles give less restriction to the horse's back, allowing the horse to move freely; treeless saddles are used in bareback riding,trail riding style and great entry points for treeless riding. 

c)Highlight their focus on quality and hand-stitching

Hilason items are deeply rooted in heritage and culture. You'll be amazed by how precisely manufactured their saddles are. Some of their dressings reflect the craftsmen's calmness and patience. The hand-stitching of all the parts gives the product a classy appeal while also providing warmth to the rider.

A high-quality brand provides the saddles, where nearly all of the job is done by machine. Still, Hilason offers you a hand-made craft in which each stitch is set with love. 

Pros (Goodness and Quality)

Hilason provides a variety of products. Their expansion of product variety puts them ahead in the market for equine equipment. Knowing the benefits it offers to the customer surely helps you understand why Hilason is a great choice for anyone.

High-Quality Materials: 

Hilason uses leather, synthetic material, and sometimes free-frame materials in the saddles. When it comes to leather, they use premium-quality genuine American cowhide skirting leather that provides a smooth seat.

Hand-stitched Construction:

Hilason is widely recognized for its handcrafted goods. Their products are long-lasting given that their artists skillfully stitch every element together using hand-burnished leather.

Variety of Styles:

They provide a wider range of saddles, suitable for different riding styles. Hilason western saddles are great for trail riding, and endurance riding.

Comfortable:

These saddles allow close contact with the horse, which is important for the well-being and happiness of your horse. They provide ideal weight distribution among riders and optimum pressure on horseback.Sharp and rapid turns while racing minimize pressure areas, making the horse and rider extremely comfortable.

Affordable price:

Hilason saddles can be purchased for $400-$600, which is quite affordable when compared with other high-end brands on the market. High-end brands range from $2700 to $7000 or more, which is a significant difference.

Cons (Negative Aspects)

Despite having a lot of benefits, Hilason has some drawbacks too. Give a glance here to know:

Limited Availability:

Hilason is quite a young brand, and they are more focused on online distribution. Retailers gain less profit because of its affordable price point. So, you may not find stocks in your local tack shop, as dealers are difficult to find.

Mixed Reviews:

When you check online reviews, you will get mixed reactions from the user. In most cases, customers with a fixed budget praise them and think quality is priceworthy. But some customers aren't happy with outdated designs or quality.

Not Customizable:

Hilason is focused on providing pre-designed saddles for different styles and sizes. But they lack room for personalization. Materials used in these saddles are less adaptable for customization.

Durability Concerns:

Customers have complained about its leather quality.A lot of customers question its durability calling them weak and light and some also claim saddles are poorly tanned.

Hilason vs. Other Brands (Comparison With Others)

Without a doubt, the Hilason brand has its unique functionality! Yet, there is plenty of variation in terms of price, target audience, features, and so on. When you look at the comparison in this chart, you can better differentiate.

Customer Reviews (Positive and Negative)

a)Positive Reviews:

• Positive customer reviews are important for creating brand value. People often give positive reviews about the Hilason saddle.
• Most reviews are positive from customers for its budget-friendly options. 
• These saddles are quite easy to maintain. You can put these in the rack and clean them when you need to. If You do not have a rack, still you can manage to keep your saddle without a rack.
• Many reviewers praise Hilason for their wide variety of products that support customer needs.
• A lot of customers think Hilason is fantastic in providing comfortable saddles.
• Customer also commend their customer service which is quite responsive, quick, and helpful

b) Negative Reviews:

• Hilason has gained some negative responses regarding their durability, and customers have complaints regarding cantle, which is poorly sewed.
• Quite a few customers claim that stirrups got broken due to the imbalance of the saddle after a few rides.
• Some buyers also claim that these saddles are weak and too lightweight to carry   riders' weight.      

c) A balanced perspective on Hilason saddles:

Hilason is comparatively cheaper than other premium brands. Though it's not handcrafted to the level of high-end brands, it offers decent build quality and great comfort. If you are looking for a budget-friendly saddle focusing on basic functionality, Hilason saddles can be a great option for you.

Is Hilason Right for You?

Hilason provides a good balance of affordable price and comfort. Beginners and casual riders can easily go with the Hilason brand without breaking the bank. Multiple horse owners can use these saddles to outfit their horses with minimal cost. 

In this guide, you have gone through the pros and cons of this brand and also reviews from customers' experience. However, now you can make an easy  decision considering your budget, riding discipline, and how often you ride. The choice  depends on your individual needs and preferences. Share this article with your saddle enthusiast friends. 

Comment down below about any queries related to this topic, you can also share any experience about Hilason saddle here.