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Old 03-28-2007
Starlight 1 Starlight 1 is offline
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I would get a product like Lederbalsam or Hydrophane conditioner, and follow the directions on the label. These 2 products are made to condition leather and keep it soft and flexible, so it stays strong and is less likely to crack or break. You can get both of these products from the major tack and equipment companies like Stateline and Dover, as well as at most tack stores. Use a very limited amount of water with these products- they are designed to work without a lot of moisture. There are other products you can use, such as Lexol cleaner and conditioner, and regular saddle soap, but one word of caution before you do- make sure that the leather is CLEAN before you start. DO NOT use Murphy's Oil Soap on your leather- you will RUIN it if you do. Murphy's has ingredients in it that just destroy leather, including cleaning surfactants that rob the leather of its moisture and make it more likely to crack. Likewise, be careful how much neatsfoot oil you use. Neatsfoot oil can and does rot stitching, and this can cause things like reins and bridlework to come apart at just the wrong moment. With saddles, you want to avoid using it on stirrup leathers and on the girth, because of the danger of the stitching rotting out and breaking. I worked for years in the horse business, and I spent some time working with a certified Master Saddler, someone who makes saddles and tack for a living, and he passed on the information to me that I just gave to you. He recommended the 2 products I mentioned at the beginning, and I have since used them for years on my own tack, with great success. These tips can be applied to the care of other leather products besides saddles- shoes and boots can be cared for with them as well, and so can purses, handbags, and leather coats and jackets. Hydrophane is much cheaper than cleaning bills, if you ask me- I have tried it on some of these things, and it does work. Good luck, and I hope this helps.
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