Cleaning really muddy leather

[SEL]

I turned the yard upside down this morning looking for Turbo cob's H-girth before realising the last time I used it was when we were out in the lorry on Friday. It had fallen down the storage locker so panic over - except we had a very muddy ride on Friday and its now coated in dry, clay-like, solid mud.

The trouble with ponies is their tummies and expensive girths are very close to the mud and with current conditions that means I'm bringing them home coated.

What's best? To wash off the mud while it is still wet? Do you then treat the leather before storing away?

 

[sport horse]

Wash it off, then let it dry completely then treat with saddle soap or leather oil

 

[YourValentine]

If its dry, flick the clods off with your nails, clean with warm water, saddle soap and elbow grease, then liberally oil/other leather conditioner.

 

[sbloom]

If still wet you could actually use cold running water to try and get the mud off without too much scratching, otherwise hand hot water and an old fashioned cotton dishcloth, a drop of Fairy in the bucket if it's greasy leather too. Let them dry partially and then condition with a good conditioner like the one from @cremedemonthe. If your leather isn't getting dry in any way, then yes, you can let it dry fully before conditioning, but usually if it's got that wet it dries the leather out, so it's best to seal in some moisture while it's still slightly damp from cleaning.

 

[SEL]

If still wet you could actually use cold running water to try and get the mud off without too much scratching, otherwise hand hot water and an old fashioned cotton dishcloth, a drop of Fairy in the bucket if it's greasy leather too. Let them dry partially and then condition with a good conditioner like the one from @cremedemonthe. If your leather isn't getting dry in any way, then yes, you can let it dry fully before conditioning, but usually if it's got that wet it dries the leather out, so it's best to seal in some moisture while it's still slightly damp from cleaning.

thank you

the one I left in the van has gone solid so probably got wet as well as muddy (it was a good ride!)

I will use warm water and get some conditioner on it whilst its still wet.

I love the h-girth until it is time to clean it when all the straps seem to hide mud.

 

[sbloom]

Damp not wet...