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angelarab
Platinum Member
 Wales
2876 Posts |
 Posted - 11 Feb 2011 : 3:31:49 PM
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European leather what should i use first to help soften and protect?
got in tack room
kochiline(sp?)
Horseman's one step
Soft saddle soap and bar soap
Hydrophane leather dressing
Neatsfoot oil
Never had a new bridle before 
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 "Until one has loved an animal, part of their soul remains unawakened."
www.northwalesarab.co.uk |
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Nichole Waller
Gold Member
England
1168 Posts |
Posted - 11 Feb 2011 : 3:52:09 PM
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I normally use Neatsfoot Oil first on new tack and then when it's dry, use the soft saddle soap.  |
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Kharidian
Platinum Member
England
4297 Posts |
Posted - 11 Feb 2011 : 5:18:01 PM
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I'm with Nichole on this one - Neatsfoot (feed it more if the leather slurps it up) then glycerine saddle soap. That's ALL I use on my tack!
Caryn |
Kharidian (Prince Sadik x Khiri)........ Alkara Cassino (H Tobago x Rose Aboud)
aka "Roger".................................... aka "Chips"
     
The first image is from an original painting by Pat Shorto.
South-East Essex |
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Mrs Vlacq
Platinum Member
Wales
3776 Posts |
Posted - 11 Feb 2011 : 5:44:19 PM
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2 coats of neatsfoot on the inside, 1 on the outside and keep it somewhere warm at home (no near any heat source though). Paint the oil on and roll the leather gently to encourage it to flex without cracking. Repeat every few days. Don't overload it all in one go or the leather will stretch and the stitching suffer too.
Very therapeutic job, and it deepens the colour too.
Then glycerine (soft is easier) often as you can |
    
- V Khazad - V Calacirya & V Sulime - Quarida(L) - V Boogie Knights - V Hamra Tofiq |
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zebedeedeb
Gold Member
England
516 Posts |
Posted - 11 Feb 2011 : 6:38:34 PM
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| i used hydrophane leather dressing on a very stiff new bridle.. painted it on 2 or 3 times and 12 yrs later it is still soft as butter , even the padded nose and brow band are soft and flexible,, amazing stuff,,, deb |
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k brown
Gold Member
United Kingdom
810 Posts |
Posted - 12 Feb 2011 : 12:08:12 PM
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| I put my leather in a plastic bag with a generous amount of Flexilan give it a good rub around the bag to make sure its coated and leave in a warm place for a couple of days to absorb. Finish off with glycerine soap.......it will be a soft as butter |
Kirsty Brown.
www.KirstyBrownRiddenArabians.co.uk
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Edited by - k brown on 12 Feb 2011 12:09:20 PM |
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kathleen
Platinum Member
England
1835 Posts |
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Jingo
Platinum Member
United Kingdom
3632 Posts |
Posted - 12 Feb 2011 : 2:54:42 PM
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| We've just got a new bridle and altho the leather is nice I've submerged it in a tub of neatsfoot oil for a few days (until the air bubbes stop escaping). Then I lay it on kitchen towel until it absorbs fully before cleaning it with soft soap - its now just purrrfect |
Jude
www.auchmillanarabians.org.uk
      
photos:Anthony Reynolds,Sweet,Deano,Real Time Imaging |
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Mrs Vlacq
Platinum Member
Wales
3776 Posts |
Posted - 12 Feb 2011 : 7:10:09 PM
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Was told by a reputable saddler who did lots of repairs that the major cause of folks needing re stiched work was over zealous use of Flexalan dressing, apparently it strips the beeswax out of the thread if used in excessive amounts ie to soften new items, now we only use neatfoot, which is a thicker consistancy and penetrates the stiching less. Also if you want to darken leather warm up your neatfoot before applying.
The Antique Mrs V. |
- V Khazad - V Calacirya & V Sulime - Quarida(L) - V Boogie Knights - V Hamra Tofiq |
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k brown
Gold Member
United Kingdom
810 Posts |
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New bridle treatment?
LOL cannot stand the smell of neatsfoot either