softening a new bridle

[Horsekaren]

I have a new bridle that seems incredibly stiff
what is the best way to soften it??

 

[mcnaughty]

Whatever you do - do not soak it in neatsfoot as it rots the stitching and makes the leather stretch more. brush it over with neatsfoot oil or use a sponge a couple of times.

 

[Laika]

I would recommend Neatsfoot oil as it's good for new leather but as Mcnaughty said above, do not apply too much as it can lead to the leather stretching and losing shape. Apply a finer layer and build up IF required. You can always apply more but never take it off once it's absorbed.

 

[cremedemonthe]

PLEASE don't oil it I will send you a link as to explain (oxidises the leather) why and how to look after your leather including a recipe to make your own leather conditioner, Oz (Saddler)

 

[tda]

Oz, could you send me the recipe as well please?

 

[cremedemonthe]

sent

 

[chocolategirl]

Please can I have the link too? Thanks!

 

[NOISYGIRL]

Horsemans one step

 

[turnbuckle]

Whatever Oz tells you to do, do it

 

[cremedemonthe]

Whatever Oz tells you to do, do it

Cheques in the post

 

[Mari]

Please could I have the link also.

 

[mynutmeg]

Oz is the leather god - the bridle he made for my mare is absolutly lovely, soft and supple

 

[OrangeAndLemon]

Hello, another new bridle owner here who would love a link to info on how to soften it.

TIA

 

[cremedemonthe]

sent to you both and thank you mynutmeg

Oz

 

[Ceifer]

Could I also have the link please?

 

[cremedemonthe]

sent

 

[Lovespaniels1805]

Please may I have the link. Thank you so much

 

[tanitabellon]

Could I have the link too please!

Many many thanks

 

[spugs]

Could I have it as well? Does it involve bees wax, dripping and lard as that’s the one I’ve been told and made before.

 

[tankgirl1]

Oh does it help restore stiff old/neclegted leather too? If so please could I have it too

 

[Chuffy99]

Please may I also have the link

 

[Rockman]

Please can I have the link to!

 

[Red-1]

Please could I have the link?

 

[OldNag]

I am too lazy to make my own- I buy Oz's ready made- the smallest pot lasts me absolutely ages.

http://www.unicornleather.co.uk/leather_conditioner.html

 

[sport horse]

PLEASE don't oil it I will send you a link as to explain (oxidises the leather) why and how to look after your leather including a recipe to make your own leather conditioner, Oz (Saddler)

I have tack that is over 50 years old and still regualry in use and still in excellent condition and it has been oiled and soaped all its life!

 

[sbloom]

The plural of anecdotes is not data....

Oz's stuff and advise is the shizney (sp?), I use and recommend only that and Sedgwicks. USE of leather is what softens it, condition it while sitting in front of the telly and work it in your hands, the warmth helps push in the conditioner too. And don't use anything that says it's one step - would that be the cleaning step OR the feeding/protecting step...or are you trying to do both together?! Would you try to cleanse and moisturise your face with one product...?

 

[splashgirl45]

me too, i still have my first bridle which i bought in 1967.....

I have tack that is over 50 years old and still regualry in use and still in excellent condition and it has been oiled and soaped all its life!

 

[cremedemonthe]

I have tack that is over 50 years old and still regualry in use and still in excellent condition and it has been oiled and soaped all its life!

I am talking about modern leather not leather that is 20-40 years old pr more that some people still use. The rearing of the cattle, the slaughtering and tanning processes have changed over the years and leather today is not the same as it was years ago.

 

[Trouper]

PLEASE don't oil it I will send you a link as to explain (oxidises the leather) why and how to look after your leather including a recipe to make your own leather conditioner, Oz (Saddler)

.....or even better, Oz, (if it is not infringing any advertising rules or secret recipes!) publish on here so we can all benefit. Thanks.

 

[cremedemonthe]

.....or even better, Oz, (if it is not infringing any advertising rules or secret recipes!) publish on here so we can all benefit. Thanks.

Home made leather conditioner
You will need to get hold of some beef fat (I make my own fat and tallow but you can use beef dripping bought from supermarket-Waitrose were selling it last time I looked and the name on it is Britannia).

You'll need beeswax and some lard (pig fat, again I make my own but you can get it from the supermarket), make sure any product you buy isn't adultered with other ingredients. Try to get it as pure as you can.



Do roughly a 50% beef fat, 25 % beeswax and 25% lard mixture, gently melt it down on a low heat and make sure you mix it thoroughly.

Let it set in an old empty and clean margarine tub. Keep it in the fridge out of the reach of pets as they will eat it.

Oz