Best treatment for new tack??

Hels_Bells

Hels_Bells

Well-Known Member
Joined
28 September 2008
Messages
1,720
Location
North Yorkshire
Visit site
So, I have finally managed to buy a new bridle to match the colour of our dressage saddle (black) so the judges won't think we're tacky or lazy!! OR worse poor!! :D ;) :D. It's a new Caldene comfort bridle but was a bit of an ebay bargain as we're on a perpetual budget (we totally are poor! but the judge won't be able to tell now!) :D :D :D So I have 2 questions...

1) Last time I ever bought a new piece of tack was eons ago when the advice was always to soak in oil overnight in a plastic bag before using new tack. However, it seems times have changed and that oiling is perhaps not considered the best route to go down so I wondered what folks think will be the best bet on how to prepare it for first use?

We have in our armoury... Ko-cha-line, Effax, Grand Prix Leather Gloss and various Carr Day and Martin Soaps, cleaners etc. So just wondering what is the best thing to use and how to apply before we take it out for its first outing?? I.e. several coats of Effax/GPLG, a good smothering in Kochaline?? Or go buy some oil?? Is it ok to apply any of these balms etc to the soft padded bits on a comfort bridle too?

2) What are people's opinions on Caldene leatherwork? It looks really pretty good quality on first inspection, lovely buckles and neat stitching etc. I had toyed with getting a second hand stubben or similar for the quality level, but they are still going for quite a lot on ebay and this one seems a bargain and new so I went for it! Hope it was the right decision!!
 
Last edited:
I usually smother mine in neatfoot oil.
I've got the collegiate comfort bridle and the padded bits have been treated the same as the others and they're perfectly fine.
 
For new tack i use Amerigo leather soft oil leave to soak in over night, and then repeat the next day, and then every day i smother it in Naf Leather food- both seem to work really well compared to lots of other products I've tried!
 
Either effax of neats foot oil nice and thick, leave to soak in over night, more next day then buff :) works every time and what i reccomend to all of our customers :)
 
Luckily for you, you already have what you need :)

If you don't need to use the bridle for a fortnight or so............ smother it in the Ko-cho-line, let this take its time to soak in, then any future cleaning can be with the Grand Prix Leather Gloss.
 
Echo ashgrove!

I ko cho line mine about once a year, new tack gets a mega session with that. I've recently been converted to gp leather gloss so no longer use anything else!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top