Bridle cleaning tips

mrsjcmking

mrsjcmking

Well-Known Member
Joined
12 July 2010
Messages
174
Visit site
I have just bought a second-hand havana leather in-hand bridle for my pony. It's the first bridle i've ever had to deal with (he's my first pony and a youngster). I think it's in an okay state, but I can see there are a few cracks starting to appear and it definitely needs a clean.

Any tips for a newbie?

Also I have a grey and my friend said I had to be careful that the colouring in the leather can rub into him if he's sweating so I have to be careful when showing him. Has anyone ever had this problem?

Thanks
 
Hi. I wipe my bridles over with a damp cloth (undo all bucklets etc), then get a clean hoof oil or pastry brush and paint the inside (rough part) of the leather with hydrophane oil, or another leather oil treatment. If the bridle is very dry I do a few coats, then once its soaked in, I wipe over with a saddle soap (on an almost damp sponge). I personally like the stubben one. Happy cleaning!

ps. Tack can stain a grey, so make sure that you sponge the pony down well on hot days when they sweat. It easily comes off and makes the pony more comfortable too!
 
Last edited:
see i strip my bridles down completely, then with a dish cloth wrung dry of hot soapy water (just washing up liquid) use a bit of saddle soap to get the grease off (the orange glycerine one).

then separate oily rag (either neatsfoot, hydrophane whatever) wipe over to keep it supple (not squishy though!)
 
Last edited:
wipe down with damp, well wrung sponge... apply good old fashioned glycerin saddle soap. treat with a balm like effol leather balm. i only oil occasionally, too much can ruin your tack.
 
If it is really dry.

Strip it down stick in a bucket of neatsfoot oil and leave for a few days to soak it all up, the wipe dry and you'll have a lovely soft bridle.

Then just keep on top with normal cleaning.

Check all stitching is good and not loose and you'll have a safe bridle.
 
Match sticks, they come in handy for cleaning the excess saddle soap out of the little holes, nothing worse than seeing all the holes gunked up with dirt/soap/grease.

Tooth brush (pref. an old one :D) good for scrubbing stubbon ground in grease, this is usually underneith the nose band and underside of where the buckles/billets are.

Carr Day & Martin spary on leather cleaner and you can also by the spray on leather conditioner (also Carr Day & Martin) to spray on afterwards is very good, both simple to use, instructions on the back of how to care for your leather work.

If your bridle already has cracks in it (depending where they are and how bad they are) I'd be concerned if it would be safe to use just in case it break or the leather is weak and behond rescue shall we say, specially when you have said it's second hand.
 
Maesfen said:
I agree with the others but it worries me that you already have a pony but no idea at all how to even clean a bridle.
Click to expand...

Which is why I have asked on here. I know how to look after my pony, but I am still learning, and the best way to learn is by doing and asking. I don't know everything about ponies, but I am not afraid to ask. I don't just guess and hope for the best.

My pony is well looked after. He's my first owned pony. doesn't mean i've never looked after them before. Everyone has to start somewhere. I'm guessing someone had to tell you how to clean a bridle at some point?

Don't knock someone down for asking for advice.
 
NeverSayNever said:
wipe down with damp, well wrung sponge... apply good old fashioned glycerin saddle soap. treat with a balm like effol leather balm. i only oil occasionally, too much can ruin your tack.
Click to expand...

Exactly this ^^! I keep an old metal round skewer on hand for pushing soap out of the holes too.
 
xloopylozzax said:
see i strip my bridles down completely, then with a dish cloth wrung dry of hot soapy water (just washing up liquid) use a bit of saddle soap to get the grease off (the orange glycerine one).

then separate oily rag (either neatsfoot, hydrophane whatever) wipe over to keep it supple (not squishy though!)
Click to expand...

I got really told off in another post for saying to use HOT water, however I do and it works !! Keep you cloth as dry as poss

Another vote for neatsfoot oil its old school and it works !!! Happy cleaning

ETS : don't worry about needing to ask - I think a few of us take for granted that we just know how to strip down a bridle , TBH I have forgotten where & when I learnt but we all have to start somewhere don't we !! .... I am often reminded of this when my OH passes me a bridle holding on to the actual bit with what looks like a load of straps hanging upside down - it amazes him that I can just grab one of the pieces and it all falls back into place again
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top