Keeping 'Light Tan' coloured leather light?

[SpruceRI]

Last year I bought a lovely new bridle in a light caramel/tan colour. So far I've soaped the back of it and just used a sponge and water for the outside as I know traditional saddle soap tends to darken leather.

Is there any soap/leather conditioner on the market that doesn't turn the shade of light coloured leather darker?

The bridle is an Italian make called Pariani. I bought it at a show, can't find anyone else that sells it in this country and tried emailing the Italian manufacturer to ask the question but I don't think they understood !

So far I've only used this bridle on dry days!

 

[Tia]

I don't think there is anything that you can do to keep the leather light. Most of my western tack is light oil but it always goes dark, although not soooo dark. I use a top quality neatsfoot oil on mine and it all looks like a nice light honey colour now.

 

[Toby_Zaphod]

I don't think you will find anything that will keep it the same colour. Even clear saddlesoap will gradually darken it own. All my tack has darkened down over the years but as long as it all darkens at the same rate it all continues to match & look good.

 

[flyingfeet]

You can use neutral shoe polish on your tack to give it a waterproof layer, this will stop the leather absorbing moisture and turning a darker colour. There are also other waterproofing materials you can use (cannot remember the name, but the people offering to clean your shoes at horsey events sell one!)

However you need to ensure your tack doesn't dry out (although waterproofing helps seal moisture in too), so you can either use a high grade cream periodically or could even try a water glycerin solution (completely colourless).

Steer clear of oils, neatsfoot, hydrophane and flexalan are all products I recommend to darken tan leather.

If you can keep you tack clean and dry this definitely preserves the colour- even sponging with water will darken tan.

 

[tiggersdad]

Ive always used dubbin to keep my tack supple. I have London Tan which is a very pale colour. Incidently its the light neutral dubbin not the black used for boots!For show tack I use the saddle soap used for leather furniture or car seats. when I had my car serviced the valeter gave me some used on the light colour Rolls Royce leather seats which gave the car a distinctive smell.

 

[SpruceRI]

Thanks everyone.