WHY CARE FOR LEATHER?
Once a leather item is in use, microscopic cracks and splits (invisible to the naked eye) occur in the leather. These cracks provide an entry site for leather’s worst enemies: water, dirt, grime, grease and salt from sweat, which is then able to work its way into the interlinking fibres comprising the corium. The collagen and protein fibres are damaged and weakened by the presence of such dirt and grime, eventually causing irreparable cracks and splits. These factors, along with heat, can contribute to drying, cracking and hardening of the leather. However, with regular care and maintenance, including cleaning and conditioning, this can be avoided. If leather is properly looked after it can remain functional, supple and in good condition for many years, as well as retaining its value.
HOW TO CARE... MAKE SURE IT'S CLEAN FIRST
Ideally, all saddlery items should be wiped over after every use to remove potentially damaging salts found in sweat and grease. Tack should be thoroughly cleaned at least every 5 times it is used. To ensure thorough cleaning, bridles etc should be taken apart and each piece cleaned individually.
Just like you would shampoo your hair first to clean it, before treating it with a conditioner, it is essential to clean the leather before applying a conditioner. This ensures that the surface of the leather is free from grease and dirt and therefore porous to ‘accept’ a conditioner.
Belvoir Tack Cleaner is specifically designed to remove grease and dirt quickly and easily, without over-wetting the leather or damaging the stitching, (over-wetting may cause swelling of the collagen fibres, which ultimately stretches and weakens the leather). Quick drying ‘Step 1’ cleaner is pH neutral to ensure that the leather structure is not weakened, and contains anti-fungal agents to inhibit the growth of mould and mildew.
Traditionally, saddle soap has been used to clean and condition leather. This should be avoided as it does not effectively remove grease and dirt and could actually seal them in, leaving a greasy residue. For muddy leather, carefully remove the mud first, taking care not to scratch the surface of the leather, before cleaning.
Remember to always use a saddle cloth as this will absorb sweat and grease and protect your saddle. Cleaning leather is a good opportunity to carry out safety checks; look out for wear and tear to billets, buckles, straps and stitching. Any repairs required should be carried out immediately to avoid further damage and unnecessary cost, and of course to ensure your safety.
THEN CONDITION
Once the leather has been thoroughly cleaned and allowed to dry, it may look slightly lighter in colour and parched. It should now be treated with a conditioner to moisturise the leather, to keep it supple and protect it.
Belvoir ‘Step 2’ Tack Conditioner is a glycerine based soap which will leave a shiny, protective finish on the leather. Glycerine leaves a coating on the leather, nourishing it and filling and sealing any pores. This helps by forming a barrier against salt, dirt, grease and water, protecting the integrity of the leather. If using on new leather, take care not to over-apply as this may result in a tacky film forming on the surface. Belvoir Tack Conditioner is available in the quick and easy spray format shown, as well as a traditional solid bar and a long-lasting tub.
STORAGE
To retain the properties of leather, it is essential that the storage conditions are appropriate. The tack room should be dry, as damp conditions give rise to mould and mildew. A consistent room temperature with good ventilation is ideal. High temperatures will cause protective oils and moisture to be drawn out of the leather. It is important to protect leather from direct sunlight and fluorescent light, as this can cause premature ageing and fading of colours.
Tack should ideally be stored off the ground, and saddles should be placed on saddle racks to preserve their shape. Using a saddle cover protects from dust and debris and accidental scratches, however, it is important that plastic or waterproof covers are not used as they can encourage ‘moist’ conditions which attract mould; a breathable saddle cover is preferable, cotton is ideal.
TREATING MOULD AND MILDEW
Mould and mildew fungi are distant relatives of the mushroom family and therefore thrive in warm, dark, damp conditions. They penetrate deep into the fibre layer of the leather which can weaken fibres and cause permanent damage. Be aware that mould and mildew can become evident very quickly, in as little as 1-2 weeks if leather is poorly stored.
Mouldy leather should be removed from the tack room before cleaning to prevent the spread of the spores to other saddlery items. Wipe away the mould and mildew with a Belvoir Tack Cleaner Wipe, disposing of it after use to prevent contamination. Clean with Belvoir Tack Cleaner spray as this has anti-fungal properties to help prevent the re-occurrence of mould and mildew. Use an old toothbrush to clean stitching and awkward places, and condition as normal. If 
a saddle has been badly affected by mould and mildew, some staining or mottling may remain. Whilst this cannot be removed, it may fade over time with the correct care.
Mould and mildew penetrate leather to its core and so is impossible to remove entirely. However, spores will lie dormant if preventative measures are taken to stop further attacks of mould. Try to keep your tack room dry and light, perhaps using some low level storage heating, or a dehumidifier. Wipe over tack after everyday use, ideally with Belvoir Tack Cleaner which has anti-fungal agents to help eliminate further re-occurrences. It is also important to remove damp saddle cloths, numnahs and girths, and they should be left to dry away from tack.
WHAT TO DO WITH SATURATED LEATHER
Prevention is better than a cure! If possible, try to avoid your tack getting wet. Waterlogged saddlery items can cause severe damage to the delicate organisation of the fibre structures. When leather becomes waterlogged, the inner fibre structure becomes stretched to accommodate the absorbed water. In this state, the leather is weakened as the fibres are distorted from their normal strong organisation. If your saddle or bridle get soaked, caring for them correctly can minimise potential damage. As the leather dries, the conditioning oils evaporate along with the moisture, leaving the fibres with no lubrication. They stick together in clumps leaving the leather feeling stiff and dry.
Wipe off dirt and mud carefully, before it has had the chance to dry. It is essential to lightly condition the leather whilst it is still wet, thus permeable and responsive. Leather Balsam (or a very sparing application of Neatsfoot Compound) is recommended.
It is essential to dry all wet leather items as naturally as possible. Dry away from sources of direct heat such as radiators and heaters, otherwise the drying process can be accelerated, causing the rapid removal of moisture and conditioning oils from the leather.
If these steps are followed, your tack should avoid becoming stiff, dry or watermarked after a soaking. Whenever possible try to prevent your tack getting wet, invest in a waterproof saddle cover for use in the rain. Also, be careful, the colour from waterproof jackets or chaps could run onto your saddle in the rain, and leather is more easily stained when saturated.
So, now you know all you need to know about caring for leather, we hope we’ve made it easy to understand.
There are 7 key things to remember:
- If possible find out what type of leather your tack is made of.
- Always follow manufacturer’s guidelines; look closely at your guarantee.
- When revitalising dry and cracked leather, apply oil sparingly. Wait, then repeat. Over-oiling will cause irreparable damage.
- Storage conditions need careful consideration in order to avoid mould and mildew and to keep your tack in good condition.
Don’t dry saturated leather next to a heat source to quicken the drying process. Clean and condition whilst wet, then leave to dry naturally.
- Be disciplined! Wipe over your tack with a tack cleaner after every ride to remove grease and sweat. This will prevent a build up and make your weekly tack cleaning a much easier job.
- Take your tack to pieces and thoroughly clean it at least every 5 times it is used. This will ensure all dirt and grease is removed from awkward areas. Apply a conditioner to protect the leather and keep it soft and supple.
Saddles and bridles represent a big investment and are an essential piece of kit. Look after them and they will keep their value and last for years.
Caring for your tack doesn’t have to be time consuming, we’ve made it quick and easy with ‘Step 1’ Cleaner and ‘Step 2’ Conditioner; a squirt and a wipe, another squirt and a rub... come on, is there any excuse for dirty tack?!
