Belts, bags and other non equestrian products require almost no maintenance. After a number of years belts may benefit from a light treatment with saddlesoap or similar, especially if the leather feels stiff. Water, even soaking, will not damage leather. Direct heat used in drying will destroy it.
Always dry leather slowly in a warm place - never use direct heat. Treat with leather food or saddle soap after the leather is dry.
All our bridle work is made from English Leather, tanned and curried to the highest standard. It should last a very long time if cared for properly.
New leather should be oiled before use with a light leather oil such as Neastsfoot oil. One light application with a small brush is all you need to get your new bridle into top usable condition. Don’t over oil bridles or harness as the leather fibres will become flooded with oil and mushy.
After every use sponge with clean plain water to remove all the dirt and grease, allow to dry and then use a glycerine saddle soap with a clean, slightly damp sponge. Leave this application on and your leather work should be left supple and with a good shine. If you find you have a lot of soapy lather you have your sponge too wet.
Water will not hurt leather, contrary to common belief, it is the drying process which does the damage. Always allow wet leather to dry slowly in an slightly warm tack room or outside in a shady place, never in direct sun or a source of heat, like a radiator or Aga. Should you get caught in a rain storm and your tack is soaked let it dry as described and treat it to another light coat of oil and then a glycerine saddle soap.
When storing tack over winter or for a long period, it is advisable to use a good quality leather cream or paste like Hooper’s 1882 (known throughout the saddlery trade as 'Oopers 'Orrible) or Co-Cho-Line. A coating of this over the entire leatherwork then store in an old pillow case in a warm room with no damp will prevent the leather from becoming mouldy and stiff.
Mould can usually be removed from leather by following the cleaning and soaping process, but mould can mark and stain lighter browns permanently.
| No picture available | Hoopers 1882 £7.50 1 lb. |
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Fiebing 4 Way Leather Care £7.50 472 ml |
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Aussie Leather Conditioner £6.00 200ml |
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Fiebings Harness Dressing £4.50 small |
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BT Saddle Soap £7.00 375ml |
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Ko-Cho-Line Leather Dressing £5.25 225g |
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Carr Day & Martin Leather Balsam £9.75 500ml |
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Neatsfoot Oil £6.50 500ml |
