Stirrup leathers (or not?)

[HannahB]

Hey, I've got a pair of stirrup leathers that have got a bit stiff and cracked as my horse has been lame etc for the last 5 months. So finally I'm able to ride her again and I've been slowly getting her into work when I notice I've got cracks in the leathers. They are nylon backed so it's not like I'm worried they'll break immediately, but I've always thought they were genuine leather and treated them as such, but they've never been as supple as my saddle and I think they are actually rubber. So what on earth can I do to treat them? Or is it safer / better to get a new pair? Thanks
Also, I don't know the brand or anything about them as they came with the saddle.

 

[sbloom]

If there is an actual crack you should be able to have a good look at what the layer of "leather" is actually made of, if you can see the cross section, most synthetics look like fabric. If synthetic then there's nothing can be done, the nylon binding will help but if they're leather or not I'd want to be very sure there is nothing structural that is damaged, but would also be aware they will wear the saddle too.

Decent leathers aren't that expensive, better safe than sorry and replace them.

Out of interest what product did you use and how often? It may be there are better products and routines for leather.

 

[HannahB]

I use the effax leder-balsam conditioner and it's hard to say how often as when regularly riding, used about every 2 weeks, but while I wasn't riding it was a lot less

 

[HannahB]

On second thoughts, I'm sure that isn't leather. I never noticed the pattern before lol

 

[HannahB]

That's the worst crack it's only on the one side, there's only about 2 others less than half the size

 

[sbloom]

On second thoughts, I'm sure that isn't leather. I never noticed the pattern before lol

Synthetic I'm sure, there's almost a woven pattern in between the embossed bits. New pair needed whatever.

 

[Ellietotz]

I would definitely use it as an excuse to buy yourself some nice shiny new ones!

 

[HannahB]

Ok thanks for the advice

 

[Skib]

I am a bit of a diva with stirrup leathers. Princess and the pea. I dont want to feel them under my leg so I have my own expensive leather ones. They dont last for ever. I have been riding 20 years and am now on my second pair. Apart from anything else, the hole one uses stretches.
I do put that leather balsam on them quite alot and have wondered if that is wrong and I should use saddle soap.

 

[sbloom]

Should have said, Effax Lederbalsam is full of solvents sadly, get in touch with cremedemonthe on here and get some of his conditioner . @Skib don't use saddle soap either, it's a poor cleanser (must wash off) and barely a conditioner as all it does it act as a humectant ie attract water, which is why you get more grease jockeys if you use saddle soap and leave it on. Again, contact cremedemonthe.

 

[ycbm]

They are unsightly, but the strength isn't in the mock leather, it's in the webbing core, and as long as the webbing core is in one piece they should still be safe until you can buy some nicer looking ones.
.

 

[Merry neddy man]

Cremedemonthe conditioner is brilliant.

 

[cremedemonthe]

Cremedemonthe conditioner is brilliant.

Cheques in the post
Oz

 

[Skib]

I know nothing asbout cremedementhe's dressing and canot discuss as it is secret.
Also I know rather little about harness.
My late father was a book collector. He used and taught me to use the version of the British Museum dressing published in two books by Sydney M Cockerell. 1958 edition gives
Lanolin 7 fl oz
Cedar oil 1 oz
Beeswax half oz
Hexane or petroleum 11 oz
I dont remember mixing any petroleum but I did melt beeswax into Lanolin because the packages are still in our cellar.
I have had the Effax since I started to ride 20 years ago so clearly I use very little. And may well be too old to ride before it is empty.