[anrz]

Well, as some of you may know, my bridle came last Friday. It was slightly more expensive than I had originally wanted to pay, so I want to make sure that I keep it in great condition so it lasts a long time! So what are some good leather conditioners? There's already a soap block at my barn, but people have their own conditioners. Which ones are the best? I recently got a gift card from my aunt and uncle, so I'm ready to splurge on horse/tack-related stuff . Thanks in advance!

 

[anrz]

Sorry for the double post, but has anyone used Leather CPR?

 

[anrz]

bump

 

[ridergirl23]

i personally very rarely condition any of my tack, lol.
ive had it for years, its not dryed out or anything. ive tryed leather CPR, i use leather conditioner so little i never really find a difference

 

[apc11196]

Okay, so first of all, I would oil the heck out of it. If your leather is soft, it won't crack or break. I used Horseman's one step to clean and condition it because it has 2 in one and works very well. It clean it well and restores the moisture. You could also buy a bar of glycerine and rub a layer over it every month or so. It seals the bridle's leather and prevents it from getting water damage. I quickly wipe down my bridle with the Horseman's One Step after every time I use it so it is like 1 minute instead of taking 40 minutes to clean a reallly dirty bridle. Good luck!

 

[anrz]

Okay, so first of all, I would oil the heck out of it. If your leather is soft, it won't crack or break. I used Horseman's one step to clean and condition it because it has 2 in one and works very well. It clean it well and restores the moisture. You could also buy a bar of glycerine and rub a layer over it every month or so. It seals the bridle's leather and prevents it from getting water damage. I quickly wipe down my bridle with the Horseman's One Step after every time I use it so it is like 1 minute instead of taking 40 minutes to clean a reallly dirty bridle. Good luck!

Thanks! I don't really want to oil it, because I've had some bad experiences with the oil darkening the leather a little and I'd rather not risk it, even if there's little to no risk . So Horseman's One Step works well? I'll check that out! There's a bar of glycerin at my barn, so I can just use that whenever. Thanks so much!

 

[heyycutter]

i like leather CPR, and everyone at my barn swears its the best and wont touch any other conditioner/cleaner

 

[anrz]

i like leather CPR, and everyone at my barn swears its the best and wont touch any other conditioner/cleaner

haha now I have to make the big decision . Leather CPR or Horseman's! I might go with the splurge on this one . Hmm...

 

[My Beau]

I like Leather CPR better than One Step. Plus CPR smells ALOT better than One Step, it doesn't smell good... just doesn't stink.

 

[RiosDad]

My headstall is 25 years old, the reins were replaced once about half way through it's life so far. The headstall looks like new and I get compliments on how soft the leather is.
I have a 5 gallon pail of harness oil and once every few months I throw the complete bridle, bit and all in the barrel of oil, let it soak for a day and then pull it out and let it drip for another day and then wipe it down.
Looks brand new and what is wrong with dark leather???
All buckels work better then new since the leather is soft and flexable.
Oil it and let it get darker. I ride in rain or any kind of weather.

 

[My Beau]

Soaking is the worst thing you can do for leather. Too much oil clogs the pores, and the leather will be too satuated and will stretch out much faster.

If you're going to oil (although you say you don't want to) paint a coat on the underside of the leather, let it absorb and wipe off the excess. And make sure you use Pure Neatsfoot Oil, as Neatsfoot Compound causes the stitching to rot

 

[apc11196]

Thanks! I don't really want to oil it, because I've had some bad experiences with the oil darkening the leather a little and I'd rather not risk it, even if there's little to no risk . So Horseman's One Step works well? I'll check that out! There's a bar of glycerin at my barn, so I can just use that whenever. Thanks so much!

You are very welcome! I love that stuff! lol Uhm, yeh it def does darken it, I'm sorry I left that out lol

 

[mudypony]

I personally LOVE Passier Lederbalsam! It conditions the leather very nicely and leaves it nice and supple. I'm still on my first container of this stuff and I've already had it for a year, so it is definately worth the extra cost. Also, the Passier Saddle Soap is awesome, too, for really dirty bridles. I used to use Leather CPR but I felt like I was just smearing it around and it never really conditioned the leather as I had hoped.

If you decide to go with the Passier Lederbalsam then I would clean it first (either with glycerine soap or the Passier Saddle Soap). Then I would rub the Lederbalsam all over the bridle. I personally like using my fingers so I know I'm getting every spot. After that let it sit overnight to let it soak in, and then wipe down with a cloth in the morning. Sometimes if you apply too much there is still a bit of a sticky feeling in the morning.

Here's a link for both the Lederbalsam and Saddle Soap...
Passier Lederbalsam from SmartPak Equine

Passier Saddle Soap from SmartPak Equine

 

[RiosDad]

Soaking is the worst thing you can do for leather. Too much oil clogs the pores, and the leather will be too satuated and will stretch out much faster.

The amish have a service. They soak harnesses. When you buy a new harness they throw it in their large tank, soak it and then let it drip dry and you pick it up a few days later.
My headstall was actually bought in 1986 and honestly it looks like new, the leather is dark and flexible as are the reins and it sees all kinds of weather from heavy rein to swimming and is soaked many times every year without a problem.