These straps are made from heavy duty biothaine that stays soft to the touch in cold conditions. It doesnt crack from being washed or dipped in water, Can be disinfected and cleaned without absorbing water there fore less risk of carring infection or desiese from barn to barn. The buckels are heavy duty stainless steel so no pin bending are rusting. The straps are longer than the normal on the market with holes along the majority of the strap. This ensures that they will fit any horse you may come accross from a Mini to a Belgian without having to alter or made fit.