Leather Care: Our Tips and Advice ✨
Leather is a noble, living and durable material… as long as you look after it! 🙈 In equestrian sport, our tack takes a real beating. Saddles, bridles, girths and even boots face sweat, dust, mud, friction and moisture on a daily basis… 😢 To extend their lifespan and ensure both comfort and safety, regular care is essential. In this article, we share all our tips and tricks for keeping your leather tack in top condition 💪
Why is leather care so important?
First, let's look at the benefits of leather care 🤔
Beyond the aesthetic appeal of leather that stays looking its best, regular care helps to extend the life of your tack, improve comfort and ensure safety 🔥 By looking after your leather equipment, you'll be able to use it for years to come, while avoiding the risk of breakage caused by drying out. And above all, for both horse and rider, well-supple leather reduces rubbing and injuries 😉
Cleaning and conditioning your saddle
The saddle is undoubtedly a rider's most important investment — it deserves your full attention 🥰
Recommended steps:
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Cleaning: after each use or, at the very least, once a week, remove dust and sweat with a slightly damp sponge and glycerine soap or a specialist leather cleaner 🧼
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Conditioning: once or twice a month, apply a leather conditioner or nourishing cream to prevent the leather from drying out. Be careful not to over-condition 😉
👉 Tip: make sure you clean the areas underneath your saddle that are in direct contact with your horse.
Caring for your bridle
As it comes into direct contact with your horse's sweat, your bridle needs to be cleaned regularly.
Best practices:
We know that taking apart your bridle can be a chore, so we've found a solution for you 😉
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Once a week, give your bridle a quick clean with glycerine soap — no need to take it apart 🧴
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Once a month, take the time to fully disassemble it so you can clean and condition it properly 🔥
‼️ For your horse's bit, remember to rinse it with water after every session — it only takes a few seconds and your horse will thank you for it 😊
Caring for your girth
Often overlooked, the girth is actually one of the pieces of tack that accumulates the most sweat and dirt.
Our tips:
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After each session: give them a brush with a soft brush to remove all the dirt (especially in winter with all that arena sand 🙊) and wipe with a leather wipe to remove sweat.
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Every week: a leather cleaning spray for a quick, gentle and effective clean.
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Once or twice a month: apply a nourishing balm (or conditioner), paying extra attention to any cracked areas.
👉 Tip: don't wait until the leather becomes stiff or starts to crack before conditioning it.
Riding boots: a care routine all of their own
Leather riding boots require special attention — they need to stay supple, elegant and sturdy all at once.
Care routine:
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After each use: wipe down with a soft, damp cloth or leather wipes to remove mud and dust ✨
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Once or twice a month: use a polish — tinted or neutral — to nourish your boots.
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⚠️ Never use grease or glycerine soap on your boots — they can damage the structure and shape of the boot.
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Store them with boot trees to help them keep their shape, away from any direct heat source 😉
👉 Tip: for a flawless finish, apply a leather polish before a competition or an important outing 🤩
💞 Our favourite picks
At OHLALA, we've put together a selection of products tested and approved by our team:
👉 Find everything you need in our tack care category on the site!
🚨 What to avoid at all costs
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Using water that is too hot or soaking the leather.
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Leaving leather to dry in the sun or near a radiator.
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Over-conditioning with grease or using unsuitable products.
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Forgetting to disassemble your tack regularly.
Just a few minutes after each session and a well-thought-out weekly routine is all it takes to keep your tack in great shape for years. And let's be honest… there's nothing quite like riding with clean, supple equipment, is there? 😍
💬 Got a personal tip or a favourite product for leather care? Share it with us on Instagram (@ohlalasellerie)
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