Leather Care: Tips and Advice

Leather is a noble, living, and durable material… as long as you look after it! 🙈 In equestrian sport, our equipment takes a real beating. Saddles, bridles, girths, and even boots face daily exposure to sweat, dust, mud, friction, and moisture… 😢 To extend their lifespan and ensure comfort and safety, regular maintenance is essential. In this article, we share all our tips and tricks to keep your leather gear in perfect condition 💪

Why is leather care so important?

First, let's look at the benefits of leather care 🤔
Beyond the aesthetic appeal of leather that keeps its lustre, proper care helps extend the life of your equipment, improve comfort and ensure safety 🔥 By taking care of your leather gear, you'll be able to use it for years to come, while avoiding the risk of damage caused by drying out. And most importantly, for both horse and rider, well-conditioned leather reduces friction and the risk of rubbing 😉

Cleaning and conditioning your saddle

The saddle is undoubtedly a rider's most important investment — it deserves your full attention 🥰

Recommended steps:

Cleaning: after every use, or at least once a week, remove dust and sweat with a slightly damp sponge and glycerin soap or a specialist leather cleaner 🧼
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-apply — a little goes a long way 😉

👉 Tip: make sure to thoroughly clean the areas underneath your saddle that are in direct contact with your horse.

Caring for your bridle

Since it's in direct contact with your horse's sweat, your bridle needs to be cleaned on a very regular basis.

Best practices:

We know that taking apart your bridle can be a chore, so we have a solution for you 😉

Once a week, clean your bridle with glycerin soap without taking it apart 🧴
Once a month, fully take it apart to give it a thorough clean and condition 🔥

‼️ 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 😊

Caring for your girth

Often overlooked, the girth is one of the pieces of equipment that accumulates the most sweat and dirt.

Our tips:

After every session: give them a quick 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.
Every week: use a leather cleaning spray for a quick, gentle, and effective clean.
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 shows cracks before conditioning it.

Riding boots: a care routine of their own

Leather boots require special attention — they need to stay supple, elegant, and durable all at once.

Care routine:

After every use: wipe down with a soft, damp cloth or leather wipes to remove mud and dust ✨
Once or twice a month: apply a polish, tinted or neutral, to nourish your boots.
⚠️ Never use grease or glycerin soap — they could damage the structure and shape of the boot.
Store them with boot trees to help them keep their shape, away from direct heat sources 😉

👉 Tip: for a flawless finish, apply a leather polish before a competition or an important event 🤩

💞 Our favourite picks

At OHLALA, we've handpicked a selection of products tested and approved by our team:

👉 Find everything in our equipment care category on the site!

🚨 What to avoid at all costs

Using water that is too hot or soaking the leather.
Leaving leather to dry in the sun or near a radiator.
Over-greasing or using unsuitable products.
Forgetting to disassemble your equipment regularly.

Just a few minutes after each session and a well-thought-out weekly routine are enough to keep your equipment in great shape for years. And honestly… isn't there something wonderful about riding with clean, supple gear? 😍

💬 Do you have a personal tip or a favourite product for leather care? Share it with us on Instagram (@ohlalasellerie)