Passier Leather Billet Guard
Passier's Leather Billet Guard is a traditionally crafted, supple leather guard designed to protect billets while preserving close contact. It holds a best-in-class spot for riders who prioritize classic workmanship and a supple feel, offering a lower price point than bespoke systems like Schleese while providing more refinement than basic budget guards. Compared with the heavier, more heavily reinforced options on this list, Passier delivers a balanced combination of comfort, durability, and value for everyday use and light sport horses.
Handcrafted leather
Slim-profile shield
Handcrafted leather
Slim-profile shield
Review Summary
"Users praise its high-quality leather construction, secure fit and long-term durability. A few buyers say it is pricier than basic alternatives."
Looks like saddle armor
Made from full-grain leather with reinforced stitching for long-lasting wear.
Looks like saddle armor
Made from full-grain leather with reinforced stitching for long-lasting wear.
Increased Safety & Security
Time-Saving Convenience
Passier's Leather Billet Guard is a traditionally crafted, supple leather guard designed to protect billets while preserving close contact. It holds a best-in-class spot for riders who prioritize classic workmanship and a supple feel, offering a lower price point than bespoke systems like Schleese while providing more refinement than basic budget guards. Compared with the heavier, more heavily reinforced options on this list, Passier delivers a balanced combination of comfort, durability, and value for everyday use and light sport horses.
Handcrafted leather
Slim-profile shield
Looks like saddle armor
Made from full-grain leather with reinforced stitching for long-lasting wear.
Slim profile protects billets from rub and distributes pressure without bulk.
Handcrafted leather
Slim-profile shield
Looks like saddle armor
Made from full-grain leather with reinforced stitching for long-lasting wear.
Slim profile protects billets from rub and distributes pressure without bulk.
$80-140 CAD
Stubben Reinforced Billet Protector
Stubben's Reinforced Billet Protector is engineered for durability with a reinforced plate and resilient backing that minimizes billet wear and rider pressure points. It is positioned as the market leader for longevity and technical reinforcement, outlasting softer leather guards like Passier and MacRider and offering a mid-range price that undercuts some premium modular systems. Riders seeking a long-lived, low-maintenance protector will find Stubben's combination of materials and straightforward installation financially and technically attractive.
Steel-core strength
Ultra-durable build
Steel-core strength
Ultra-durable build
Review Summary
"Owners appreciate the sturdy reinforcement and reliable protection, with many reporting years of use. Some note it can be stiff at first and may require a break-in period."
Tougher than chores
Features a sewn-in reinforcement plate to prevent billet wear and elongation.
Tougher than chores
Features a sewn-in reinforcement plate to prevent billet wear and elongation.
Increased Safety & Security
Time-Saving Convenience
Stubben's Reinforced Billet Protector is engineered for durability with a reinforced plate and resilient backing that minimizes billet wear and rider pressure points. It is positioned as the market leader for longevity and technical reinforcement, outlasting softer leather guards like Passier and MacRider and offering a mid-range price that undercuts some premium modular systems. Riders seeking a long-lived, low-maintenance protector will find Stubben's combination of materials and straightforward installation financially and technically attractive.
Steel-core strength
Ultra-durable build
Tougher than chores
Features a sewn-in reinforcement plate to prevent billet wear and elongation.
Durable leather exterior with soft backing to reduce chafing on the horse.
Steel-core strength
Ultra-durable build
Tougher than chores
Features a sewn-in reinforcement plate to prevent billet wear and elongation.
Durable leather exterior with soft backing to reduce chafing on the horse.
$120-220 CAD
Amerigo Vega Billet Guard System
The Amerigo Vega Billet Guard System is a modular, performance-oriented solution that integrates thermo-formed plates and shock-absorbing materials to optimize load distribution and billet longevity. It commands a premium price but offers technical advantages over simpler guards—such as adjustable positioning and superior impact management—making it cost-effective for competitive riders and frequent use where reduced replacement and improved horse comfort matter. Compared with the bespoke-fit Schleese option, Amerigo emphasizes a reproducible, off-the-shelf performance upgrade with less need for custom fitting.
Modular system
Anatomic fit
Modular system
Anatomic fit
Review Summary
"Riders value the comprehensive guard system and solid protection, but some report it adds bulk under the girth and is sold at a premium. Overall performance is praised when properly fitted."
Adjusts like shoelaces
Modular guard system with interchangeable plates for customizable protection levels.
Adjusts like shoelaces
Modular guard system with interchangeable plates for customizable protection levels.
Increased Safety & Security
Recreational Enjoyment
Time-Saving Convenience
The Amerigo Vega Billet Guard System is a modular, performance-oriented solution that integrates thermo-formed plates and shock-absorbing materials to optimize load distribution and billet longevity. It commands a premium price but offers technical advantages over simpler guards—such as adjustable positioning and superior impact management—making it cost-effective for competitive riders and frequent use where reduced replacement and improved horse comfort matter. Compared with the bespoke-fit Schleese option, Amerigo emphasizes a reproducible, off-the-shelf performance upgrade with less need for custom fitting.
Modular system
Anatomic fit
Adjusts like shoelaces
Modular guard system with interchangeable plates for customizable protection levels.
Engineered for high-end saddles with contoured fit and low-profile attachment points.
Modular system
Anatomic fit
Adjusts like shoelaces
Modular guard system with interchangeable plates for customizable protection levels.
Engineered for high-end saddles with contoured fit and low-profile attachment points.
$200-350 CAD
Schleese SBS Billet Protection Plate
Schleese's SBS Billet Protection Plate is a biomechanically informed, high-end reinforcement plate designed by saddle fit specialists to reduce point pressure and protect billets in demanding therapeutic and competitive scenarios. It ranks as the market leader for custom fit and equine comfort, offering the most advanced pressure-distribution design on this list—at a correspondingly higher price—making it a preferred investment for riders prioritizing long-term horse welfare and precision fit. While more costly than Passier, Stubben, or MacRider, Schleese justifies its premium through specialized fitting support and measurable performance benefits.
Shock-absorbing plate
Low-profile contour
Shock-absorbing plate
Low-profile contour
Review Summary
"Highly rated for anatomically shaped protection and professional fit; buyers find it effective and long-lasting. The main drawbacks are high cost and limited direct retail availability (often through certified fitters)."
Girth's best friend
Precision-formed protection plate designed to integrate with custom and performance saddles.
Girth's best friend
Precision-formed protection plate designed to integrate with custom and performance saddles.
Increased Safety & Security
Recreational Enjoyment
Schleese's SBS Billet Protection Plate is a biomechanically informed, high-end reinforcement plate designed by saddle fit specialists to reduce point pressure and protect billets in demanding therapeutic and competitive scenarios. It ranks as the market leader for custom fit and equine comfort, offering the most advanced pressure-distribution design on this list—at a correspondingly higher price—making it a preferred investment for riders prioritizing long-term horse welfare and precision fit. While more costly than Passier, Stubben, or MacRider, Schleese justifies its premium through specialized fitting support and measurable performance benefits.
Shock-absorbing plate
Low-profile contour
Girth's best friend
Precision-formed protection plate designed to integrate with custom and performance saddles.
Thin, strong composite or metal core provides maximal abrasion resistance without bulk.
Shock-absorbing plate
Low-profile contour
Girth's best friend
Precision-formed protection plate designed to integrate with custom and performance saddles.
Thin, strong composite or metal core provides maximal abrasion resistance without bulk.
$180-320 CAD
MacRider Leather Billet Reinforcement Guard
MacRider's Leather Billet Reinforcement Guard is a straightforward, budget-friendly option that reinforces billets with a durable leather overlay and simple reinforcement panel. It is best for cost-conscious riders who need effective protection without the higher upfront cost of modular or custom systems, offering competitive value relative to the premium Amerigo and Schleese products. Technically simpler than Stubben's reinforced design, MacRider emphasizes ease of installation and replacement, making it a practical choice for everyday schooling tack.
Full-grain leather
Extra-length coverage
Full-grain leather
Extra-length coverage
Review Summary
"Well-liked for durable reinforcement and good value, providing practical protection for daily use. A few users mention the leather finish is less refined compared with premium brands."
Old-school cavalry vibes
Affordable leather guard with an internal reinforcement strip to extend billet life.
Old-school cavalry vibes
Affordable leather guard with an internal reinforcement strip to extend billet life.
Increased Safety & Security
Time-Saving Convenience
MacRider's Leather Billet Reinforcement Guard is a straightforward, budget-friendly option that reinforces billets with a durable leather overlay and simple reinforcement panel. It is best for cost-conscious riders who need effective protection without the higher upfront cost of modular or custom systems, offering competitive value relative to the premium Amerigo and Schleese products. Technically simpler than Stubben's reinforced design, MacRider emphasizes ease of installation and replacement, making it a practical choice for everyday schooling tack.
Full-grain leather
Extra-length coverage
Old-school cavalry vibes
Affordable leather guard with an internal reinforcement strip to extend billet life.
Soft fleece or neoprene backing reduces rubbing while remaining lightweight.
Full-grain leather
Extra-length coverage
Old-school cavalry vibes
Affordable leather guard with an internal reinforcement strip to extend billet life.
Soft fleece or neoprene backing reduces rubbing while remaining lightweight.
$70-130 CAD