The very faint layer of wax from the manufacturing process in places on the new browband will disappear with the first cleaning.Įxample 2: HDR Pro Pre-Stretched Stirrup Leather in Hazelnut Notice how the very soft and flexible bridle leather absorbs the oil and darkens dramatically. You can use this knowledge when you begin to coordinate your pieces of brown leather tack.Įxample 1: Circuit Grand Prix Bridle in Oakbark (browband photographed) Some leathers, such as the very soft covered stirrup leathers, darken more rapidly than others with the same amount of conditioning. A light coat will be sufficient to preserve the leather without darkening the color much.Ĭolor Comparison ExamplesWe've photographed some of Dover Saddlery's best-selling bridle, girth and stirrups leathers to show how they appear just out of the manufacturer's packaging and how they appear after they've been cleaned once and oiled multiple times with pure Neatsfoot oil.Ĭompare how the different leathers respond to cleaning and oiling.
Bear this in mind when you are matching a new saddle to new fittings and a bridle versus matching a used saddle to new fittings and a bridle.Īlternatively, if you do not want your tack to darken much, use only saddle soap to keep it clean and use a light, single coat of Lexol Leather Conditioner when necessary. As tack is used, a patina develops and the leather colors deepen.ĭepending on the type and finish of the leather involved, you can usually influence the way your leather colors deepen with oiling if you want to create a closer color match between pieces of tack. Frequency of use and exposure to horse sweat.Environmental conditions cause leather colors to darken. Age of tack and exposure to the sunlight, the atmosphere and the elements, such as rain.Soft leather absorbs oil more readily than thick leather. Type of leather, whether very soft and porous or tougher and thicker.Oil tends to darken most leather colors, especially the softer leathers, faster than a lederbalsam. Type of conditioner used- oil or lederbalsam.The more often you condition your tack, the faster leather colors darken. Frequency of cleaning and conditioning.Several factors influence how rapidly and how deep the color eventually becomes:
All leather colors will darken eventually, including even the lightest tack.
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