Has anyone turned brown leather black?

Michen

Michen

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I have a beautiful Schokemohle breastplate... Which has a little bit of tasteful (Yeh right!) bling that was bought for a pretty and petite mare. Unfortunately Basil is in need of a breastplate and I haven't had much luck selling this one and can't bare to let it go for stupid money when it cost me nearly £150!

So I have decided I can emasculate my poor, workmanlike Connie forever more and force him to wear said tasteful bling for XC and SJ. Except.. It's brown. My tack is black.


I'm assuming black boot polish would just come off all over his neck Especially when he sweats?
 
I will watch for any answers Michen. I have a similar problem but my breastplate is not as good quality as yours!

Perhaps a saddler could tell us if it's possible. I'm guessing the leather would have to be 'stripped' of it's top coat before any other colour is put on, rather like dyeing leather shoes.

I'm pretty sure boot polish won't stay on.
 
you could try shoe dye maybe? not sure what effect that would have but worth researching

Or one of the big companies makes a leather darkening oil (Hydrophane??)

Personally I would take it to a saddler and see if they can help
 
It would probably be cheaper to go and buy a black one. You could try using an instant shine black shoe polish that boasts it will cover scuff marks.

What colour is your horse? If its dark give it a try, if a grey are zebra stripes the seasons 'look'?
 
I can't afford to buy another decent quality one and I don't want a cheapy rubbish one haha!

He's dark brown so reasonably safe there.

Sod it, we are going to look like morons at our first BE with a blingy breast plate on my very not delicate connie so why bother with matching tack? ��

Tnavas said:
It would probably be cheaper to go and buy a black one. You could try using an instant shine black shoe polish that boasts it will cover scuff marks.

What colour is your horse? If its dark give it a try, if a grey are zebra stripes the seasons 'look'?
Click to expand...
 
I wouldn't bother. I tried dying some leather black, reins I think, it looked cxxxp and despite following instructions, came off when sweaty.
I'm assuming your Connie may be grey like ours, you might end up with an interesting chest marking!
Oops, just noticed he's brown, you might be ok then !
 
How about trying a bit of indelible felt tip ink on a part of it that doesn't matter to see if it works?
 
If you search the Chronicle of the Horse forum there's a thread there from someone who dyed a 2-tone brown leather saddle, and someone who has re-dyed a black saddle that went green. They're both quite in-depth about what they did and used so that might be helpful :).
 
I dyed a London Tan grackle noseband dark brown with shoe dye and it worked perfectly!. I still have it about 15 years later!. Maybe if you look closely it is slightly irregular in colour but I'd do it again.
However you take your own risk with a £150 breastplate!
 
I dyed a noseband from light brown to dark with Fiebing's Professional Oil Leather Dye. Very easy to do and I am pleased with it :)
 
maybe I'm missing the point here - if the breastplate fits well and is safe then does it really matter if it is brown with a black saddle? You will certainly not be the only one entering a event with tack of different colours.
Instead of mucking up the leather is there any way of toning down the bling bit
 
If its dark brown it might not be that noticeable. It's difficult to tell my horses saddle is brown and his bridle is black unless you are up close to him.
 
Pretty noticeable sadly... It's quite a light brown. Thanks for all suggestions will investigate!
 
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