Stiff bridle?..

Clofox

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Hi all,
hope your all having a fab Christmas and are enjoying your day!:D
Just a quickie...
For x-mas i got my pony a lovely new bridle, problem is it's a tad stiff...
It's leather,any ideas on how to loosen it up? And also how to keep it at it's best and in good condition?
Thank you:)
 

lula

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take it to pieces and give it a good soak in a bucket of neatsfoot oil for a couple of hours or over night. A few inches is probably all you'd need to cover the bottom and then some.

Take it out, clean off any excess oil with a soft dry lint free cloth- taking care to dry any metal work properly, especially metal billets as the last thing you want is to leave them oily and risk the cheek pieces coming unfastened from the bit mid way through a canter.

Voila!

if still stiff repeat once a week and soap well after using. It will soon soften up.
 
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MiJodsR2BlinkinTite

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You don't say OP what colour leather your lovely new bridle is: the problem being that every oil you use will darken it. I had this problem with a Barefoot light coloured leather bridle which I bought on e-bay; it was a lovely colour BUT way too stiff to be usable.

I always use Hydrophane oil - yes it will darken any leather unfortunately.
 

WildRider

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I'd agree with Neatsfoot oil, but particularly if the bridle is a budget one, I'd be very wary of leaving it to soak - I did that with a new bridle earlier in the year, and where it had been glued, the oil seemed to 'melt' the glue and the bridle became a sticky, unusable mess!! :( I tried cleaning it, leaving it alone for a couple of weeks to dry etc, but it made no difference unfortunately and it was completely kaput. If you're going to oil it, I'd recommend painting it on with a brush rather than soaking.
 

MiJodsR2BlinkinTite

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Um, Vaseline??? Nope!!! No good at all coz it's basically way too thick and will sit on the leather and all you'll get is a greasy horrible mess.

Neither will cooking oil be any good: you need something that is formulated especially for leather-wear/harness.

If you have a good tack shop in your area they should have something; or you could try a country sports type of shop, or Mole Valley, Countrywise etc if in your area. Or previous posts have suggested some good brands.
 

Capriole

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soaking leather in oil is really bad for it. Saddlers I know go off their heads if you suggest that :D

Try KoChoLine or something like, its cheap and does the job
 

cremedemonthe

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soaking leather in oil is really bad for it. Saddlers I know go off their heads if you suggest that :D

Try KoChoLine or something like, its cheap and does the job

Yes, you are right NEVER oil leather willy nilly, worst thing especially neatsfoot!
Use a good leather food instead containing any or all of the following: tallow, beeswax and lanolin.
Grease like this is far better as it loads the cells of the leather with fat, giving it a good substance, which is what the hide is designed for when still on the cow. Oil makes it pappy, over loads the cells which can weaken the leather and can rot out certain kinds of threads.
As others have said, oil will darken leather too. IF I use oil it is only a TINY amount on the flesh side to give the leather it's "leather" smell back, I never use oil to feed the leather.
Apply fat/grease to the flesh side (underside) as it is far more porous than the grain side (shiny side)and will asorb the fat more easily. I never would use neatsfoot, cod liver oil is far better if you have to use oil at all.
Best thing to soften and make the bridle supple is use.
 

Waffles

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Neatsfoot oil is fab. I paint it on with a small brush. put newspaper down if you're doing it at home as it gets everywhere. I do quite a few applications of it, letting it soak in thoroughly before I deem it ready for use. I usually apply neatsfoot every time I clean my bridle as well. Not a good idea to oil your reins the day before going on a wild ride though, as I know to my cost!
 

Waffles

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I know lots of people don't agree with the neatsfoot thing - saddlers included - but I have a bridle which is over 20 years old and still going strong,and a pair of plaited leather reins which I bought in an auction in 1977 which I still use, and are still fine - I must be doing something right! (having said that, the 1977 reins had about 15 years off inbetween horses)
 

Lyle

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I have a system for new bridles to get them soft if they need it. Firstly, I oil, oil, oil and oil until it begins to soften, you can use neatsfoot oil or similar, but I use olive oil as it doesn't rot the stitching. Always leave the oil to soak in after each application. You can do this heaps in one day. I also 'work' the leather using my hands, gently bending it to get it to soften. Once the leather is softer, and dry of oil I use a good quality leather conditioner, something with beeswax and lanolin. This is best to maintain the structure of the leather by feeding it. Don't use the bridle until it is distinguishably softer. Give the bridle an oil and condition a few times a week until it begins to feel soft. I clean and condition my gear at least every fortnight, and always if it's gotten extra sweaty, dirty or wet :)
 

sbloom

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I know lots of people don't agree with the neatsfoot thing - saddlers included - but I have a bridle which is over 20 years old and still going strong,and a pair of plaited leather reins which I bought in an auction in 1977 which I still use, and are still fine - I must be doing something right! (having said that, the 1977 reins had about 15 years off inbetween horses)

Leather was much better in the past and survived despite old fashioned techniques. Scientific approach is better than basing your leather care on anecdotes.

I have a system for new bridles to get them soft if they need it. Firstly, I oil, oil, oil and oil until it begins to soften, you can use neatsfoot oil or similar, but I use olive oil as it doesn't rot the stitching. Always leave the oil to soak in after each application. You can do this heaps in one day. I also 'work' the leather using my hands, gently bending it to get it to soften. Once the leather is softer, and dry of oil I use a good quality leather conditioner, something with beeswax and lanolin. This is best to maintain the structure of the leather by feeding it. Don't use the bridle until it is distinguishably softer. Give the bridle an oil and condition a few times a week until it begins to feel soft. I clean and condition my gear at least every fortnight, and always if it's gotten extra sweaty, dirty or wet :)

No no no no no! As cremedemonthe says oil gets into the leather and makes it "pappy" - just like your hands in the bath. The oil gets between the fibres and stretches them and the gaps between them which makes it feel soft but weakens it. The danger is not just about rotting stitching. The best thing for stiff leather is using it (and yes, bending it in your hands will help, but use new leather!) and lightly conditioning it regularly - little and often is much better than drowing the stuff, even if the conditioner is a good one.
 
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