Leather Care – Saddle Up July 2026

Leather Care Short Course

BCHBC Shuswap Chapter has a ‘members helping members’ attitude. Most of what someone has learned, they learned from someone else! So why not pay it forward? Here is a condensed version of what we learned at our half day clinic on how to clean and care for leather tack.

Properly maintained tack can last a lifetime. Cleaning it is a good way to check for worn, unsafe leather or stitching.

• Leather has a smooth side and a nap (rough or flesh side). The nap side will absorb more conditioner than the smooth side.
• Like the trails we ride, one of the most destructive elements is water (in the form of rain, sweat and humidity).
• Also, direct heat in the form of hot sun or proximity to heaters.

Leather is like a living thing. Good care means keeping it clean, fed and stored properly.

Steps in cleaning your leather:

1. Take it apart into pieces, it’s easier to clean. Have a toothbrush, tooth picks handy for those small spaces. 2. With warm water, mild soap and a damp microfibre cloth, wipe all dirt and sweat off. Use lots of elbow grease! You might have to scrape off build up in the form of ‘dirt jockeys’. 3. When you think your leather is clean, get another bucket of clean, warm water and give it a final wipe. This will open the pores to accept the conditioner. 4. Let it dry a bit but while still warm, rub in the conditioner. Be generous and rub, rub, rub. Then rub some more! Try to find a conditioner with no chemical additives. 5. Let it dry for 10-12 hours, then buff it with a dry cloth. This will activate the conditioner and create a barrier to keep moisture out.

How often to clean?

This depends on how often you ride and how dirty your tack gets. If it gets really dirty, at least wipe off the mud and sweat with a damp cloth before putting it away. Give it a deeper cleaning weekly, if you ride every day. This will be up to your discretion depending on your conditions and climate. Tack that is stored for long periods is prone to mould so keep it covered in a cool, dry place.

FAQ’s

• Can I clean and condition at the same time? Yes, but you will be clogging the pores with dirt so only some of the conditioner will get into the leather. Best to clean first, then condition.
• How often should I my clean bits? Maybe once a month, use vinegar to disinfect then a small amount of fluoride free toothpaste and a toothbrush. Rinse. Pony Club taught us to at least rinse after every use.
• How do I clean rough leather? Use a small brass or stainless-steel brush in small circular motions. If really dirty you can first wash with mild soap and water, dry then brush. Condition the underside or nap side but not the rough out.
• Should I use glycerine saddle soap? If you do you must remove ALL of the soap or it will attract dirt (dirt jockeys) and will pull conditioning moisture out of the leather.
• What about Linseed Oil? Not recommended. It causes structural breakdown and hardening of leather. It is sticky, attracts dust and prone to going rancid.
• Olive Oil or Canola Oil? Nope, goes rancid and will rot leather over time. It is a very migratory oil and will cause splotches in your leather and if too much is used can make leather “mushy”.

With these tips in mind, ride easy and enjoy your precious tack for many years to come!

By Marie Reimer and Rose Schroeder

Shuswap Chapter Members.

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