Trying to revive very old leather work, any suggestions?

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Crazydancer

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At the weekend we had a several hours clearing out and sorting the loft, which we've not done since we moved. At the time I'd been told my horse had to retire, so a load of my horse stuff was stuck up there, and I hadn't been as careful as I might in storing it.
But now I have a new horse, and in fact the retired horse is fit enough to do light work, so I thought it would be good to see what bits n bobs I had, save buying new. Lots of goodies!! Enough easily to make a new bridle with a selection of nosebands/browbands to try. Reins and stirrup leathers too. BUT the leather is very dried out. Some is better quality than others, but all is very dry and stiff.

So can I revive it? If so, what products should I use? Is this a case where I should oil the reverse side and let it soak in? I know neatsfoot isn't as popular as it used to be....
The products I have to hand:
Carr & Day & Martin Neastfoot compount (oil)
Hydrophane Leather Dressing (oil)
Oakwood leather conditioner (tube of some Austrailan leather treatment, cream)
Spray saddle soap.

If none of there would be the best stuff, can someonne recommend something, as when I wander into tack shop these days I am bewildered by the range of products, all claiming to be the best!

Thanks all!
 
Well I know people say it rots stitching etc. But I think neatsfoot is great stuff. Every once in a while I shove my bridle in a bucket and leave it overnight coated in neatsfoot and it really brings it up beautifully.
 
I just did exactly the same as you!

I would recommend getting some 'Hydrolan' (I think that'e what it's called!) because it's reasonably cheap and worked wonders on my.. less than cared for leather :o It made some of my scruffy odds and ends actually look fairly new, and it softened up my new bridle pretty well :) :p
 
To be honest I wouldn't both if it's really old, it isn't worth it. You can buy new bridles for about £20 now and it may well work out cheaper in the long run. My friend fell off her horse a few weeks ago and the bridle broke as it was old and brittle, the horse bolted and ended up in surgery which has cost her £££££, much more than a new bridle would have done which would have meant she could have held on to him in the first place!
 
^ you'd rather use crappy indian leather tack with poor quality buckles and stitching, than old but perhaps good quality tack ???

personally, plenty of saddle soap (the glycerine orange block) then wipe over with either neatsfoot or hydrophane leather dressing. dont soak it- makes the leather squishy which isnt what you want. warm it slightly and apply a few light layers (over a few days) give it chance to soak in and feed it rather than making it soggy.
 
Old leather is much better quality than the rubbish you buy nowadays so well worth investing the time and effort to get it up to the mark again.
Only thing I would say is if you have rubber reins then I really would bin those because you can't reach the leather inside the rubber; it's just not worth the danger IMV.

I like to wipe all over with warm cloth to get any mould off then oil with either Neatsfoot, Hydrophane or Flexalan just the once then when that's soaked in, rub in the Kao-cho-line thoroughly bending and twisting the leather this way and that as you do it; it not only helps it all go in it gives you a good idea whether the leather is still sound or not. Once it's in condition it wouldn't be a bad idea if you got your saddler to check over the stitching on leathers, girths and reins just to be on the safe side (but don't soap it before you take it to him!)
Good luck, it's very rewarding getting it back to rights and that reminds me, I have a load to do myself!
 
I agree dont just buy new! I bought a new bridle for my hunter as i didnt have anything big enough. It was an expensive bridle too. Its no where near as nice quality as the 20 year old bridle i use on my arab that belonged to my first pony! Which was might i add in storage for about 10 years without any care
 
jumpthemoon said:
To be honest I wouldn't both if it's really old, it isn't worth it. You can buy new bridles for about £20 now and it may well work out cheaper in the long run. My friend fell off her horse a few weeks ago and the bridle broke as it was old and brittle, the horse bolted and ended up in surgery which has cost her £££££, much more than a new bridle would have done which would have meant she could have held on to him in the first place!
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maybe your friend should have taken better care of her stuff. i would never put an untreated dry bridle on a horse. thats asking for trouble. If i were her i would have cleaned up the old bridle and treated it.
 
Thanks all! I'll do a bit of work, and think it should be fine.
I have already binned a few bits that were cracked, or damaged in some way as I wouldn't be happy using them.
The rest all look sound, one set of stirrup leathers are stretched, but will make good neck-straps. And had a lovely memory of my 19 yr old when he was a little 'un when I found a beautiful foal slip with brass fittings.... *sigh*
And yes, they are all decent quality, but will check all stiching and buckles. I had looked at new but didn't think much of any bridles I'd seen in my price range.
All the renovated tack will be used on my old lad for his occassional hack.

Cheers guys!
 
Some of my tack is 80 years old now, and still safe and looks good.

The tools needed are Neatsfoot Oil, your bare hands, something good on the telly, a large towel or plstic sheet to proct your clothes, and a big glass (or two) of wine.

Don't use a cloth - use your bare hands, it won't hurt them. Work every bit ot 'strap type' leather between your index finger and thumb, paying most attention to the back of the leather. At first the strap will literally drink the oil - you'll see it disappearing as you apply it. On saddles use all your fingers flat on the leather, or the heel of your hand.

Bear in mind that the saddle seat will be quite oily immediately after application, so leave it a day or two and then polish with a conventional saddle soap.

I was taught this by a stud groom ( who had started working with hunters in 1904 as a boy of 10, so you can see how long ago this was!) But our tack was always immaculate and I've just realised my running martingale is pre World War I.

Don't forget the wine though - just don't put IT on the saddle!
 
xloopylozzax said:
^ you'd rather use crappy indian leather tack with poor quality buckles and stitching, than old but perhaps good quality tack ???

personally, plenty of saddle soap (the glycerine orange block) then wipe over with either neatsfoot or hydrophane leather dressing. dont soak it- makes the leather squishy which isnt what you want. warm it slightly and apply a few light layers (over a few days) give it chance to soak in and feed it rather than making it soggy.
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Some of the tack you can get cheaply is ok. I didn't see anywhere in the OP that the leather work was 'good quality' - just that it was 'very old' and 'needed reviving'.

Personally I wouldn't buy a £20 bridle, I was just making a point.

If the bridle is good quality and still in good condition, just stiff then yes of course, revive it. However if it's old and knackered, brittle with worn stitching and is on the brink of snapping, personally I would rather spend a bit of money on a new bridle than take the risk. It was just another angle on the post, rather than repeating what everyone else had already said, which I thought was one of the benefits of a 'forum'. :)
 
jumpthemoon said:
Some of the tack you can get cheaply is ok. I didn't see anywhere in the OP that the leather work was 'good quality' - just that it was 'very old' and 'needed reviving'.

Personally I wouldn't buy a £20 bridle, I was just making a point.

If the bridle is good quality and still in good condition, just stiff then yes of course, revive it. However if it's old and knackered, brittle with worn stitching and is on the brink of snapping, personally I would rather spend a bit of money on a new bridle than take the risk. It was just another angle on the post, rather than repeating what everyone else had already said, which I thought was one of the benefits of a 'forum'. :)
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Thanks! And a good point TBF, new or old, your bridle should be good enough to get you home! :)
I would really like a new one for my mare, and will do, but will save and get something nice. For now she can wear my old gelding's stuff (strange how they are different shapes and builds, but rugs & bridle are the same!) and he can have the 'make do and mend' stuff.
 
i was taught by an old cavalryman that the best way to soften leather is to urinate on it (he put it less politely!) let it soak in & then clean & neatsfoot it by hand as your body heat does wonders with the neatsfoot.

after years of finding other methods i tried it & it worked a treat, so much so im still using my OD's great great grandads military crop & bridle, the loop & lash are soft, supple & easy to work again & the bridle is far better than anything ive brought since (at any price).
 
Another vote for ko-cha-lin and I have also used the Nettex Leather Cleaner and Rejuvanator on my sidesaddle and it brings it up lovely.

Use the ko-cha-lin/nettex on the rough side of the leather (as this is the side that will take in the moisture) and then boot polish the smooth side for a sparkly, supple set of tack!
 
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