BioThane® Tack Strength Guide: Which Material Holds Up Best Under Pressure?
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How Strong Is Your Tack, Really?
A Real-World Guide to BioThane® Strengths for Horse Gear
When you’re building or buying tack, one question matters more than how it looks:
Will it hold when it really counts?
A horse doesn’t pull gently. Panic, pressure, or excitement can lead to hundreds of kilos of force in a split second.
In this guide, we’re unpacking the real-world strength of the most popular BioThane® coatings used in equestrian tack:
Beta, Beta Super Heavy, Opaque, and Gold Series — across 13mm, 16mm, 19mm, and 25mm widths.
We’re looking at two key strength values:
• Hole Break Strength – how much force it takes to tear through a punched hole (like a buckle point).
• Tensile Strength – the total force the strap can withstand when pulled end to end.
How Much Force Can a Horse Really Pull?
In a moment of panic, horses don’t just resist — they pull hard. Here’s a rough guide:
• Ponies & small horses: 180–270 kg (400–600 lbs)
• Average adult horses: 270–450 kg (600–1000 lbs)
• Large or panicked horses: 450–680+ kg (1000–1500+ lbs)
This is why tack needs to be built with strength in mind — especially at buckle holes, which are usually the weakest point.
While it’s true that the buckle is often the weakest point on a halter or bridle, especially when a horse pulls back, this can actually be a good thing. In a high-stress situation, it’s far better for your gear to give way than for your horse to get injured. A broken bone or damaged neck isn’t worth the risk. The beauty of our tack is that if a buckle or strap does break under pressure, you don’t have to replace the entire halter or bridle. Every piece is designed to be replaceable, so a quick fix with a new part gets you back in action without the cost or waste of starting over.
1. Beta BioThane® – The Reliable Workhorse
Finish: Matte, leather-like
Feel: Firm and grippy
Best for: Halters, bridles, breastplates, working tack
|
Width |
Hole Break Strength |
Tensile Strength |
|
13mm |
113 kg (250 lbs) |
226 kg (500 lbs) |
|
16mm |
136 kg (300 lbs) |
272 kg (600 lbs) |
|
19mm |
159 kg (350 lbs) |
362 kg (800 lbs) |
|
25mm |
204 kg (450 lbs) |
453 kg (1000 lbs) |
Why we love it: Beta is tough, weatherproof, and low-maintenance. It’s your go-to for strength and reliability in all conditions.
2. Opaque BioThane® – The Smooth Modern All-Rounder
Finish: Satin-matte, solid colour
Feel: Slightly softer than Beta
Best for: Custom tack, overlays, modern style builds
|
Width |
Hole Break Strength |
Tensile Strength |
|
13mm |
113 kg (250 lbs) |
450 kg (1,000 lbs) |
|
16mm |
136 kg (300 lbs) |
450 kg (1,000 lbs) |
|
19mm |
181 kg (350 lbs) |
450-500kg (1,000-1,100 lbs) |
|
25mm |
227 kg (450 lbs) |
500-680 kg (1,100-1,500 lbs) |
Why we love it: Opaque is clean, colourful, and strong. It has the same strength as Gold Series with a more modern finish — perfect for custom designs.
3. Gold Series BioThane® – The Classic with Shine
Finish: Glossy and traditional
Feel: Slightly stiffer than Beta
Best for: Traditional-looking tack with durability
|
Width |
Hole Break Strength |
Tensile Strength |
|
13mm |
68 kg (150 lbs) |
225 kg (500 lbs) |
|
16mm |
91 kg (200 lbs) |
270 kg (600 lbs) |
|
19mm |
113-136 kg (250-300 lbs) |
315 kg (700 lbs) |
|
25mm |
181 kg (400 lbs) |
450 kg (1000 lbs |
Why we love it: Gold Series is the shiny, classic BioThane® you’ve probably seen for years — and it holds up just as well as Beta when it counts.
Quick Comparison Chart
(Materials listed as: Hole Break Strength / Tensile Strength)
|
Type |
13mm |
16mm |
19mm |
25mm |
|
Beta |
113 / 450 kg |
136 / 450 kg |
181 / 450-500 kg |
227 / 500-680 kg |
|
Opaque |
113 / 450 kg |
136 / 450 kg |
181 / 450-500 kg |
227 / 500-680 kg |
|
Gold Series |
68 / 225 kg |
91 / 270 kg |
113-136 / 315 kg |
181 / 450 kg |
| Beta Super Heavy | 181 kg / 680 kg | 204 kg / 680 kg | 227 kg / 725-770 kg | 272-318 kg / 900kg |
Final Thoughts
Tack isn’t just gear — it’s your safety system. Choosing the right BioThane® coating and width means your horse’s gear will be not only beautiful, but also built to withstand real-world pressure.
Need help selecting the right material for your next custom design? I’m always happy to help! LS Equestrian NZ
