How To Care For Your Bridle
You will want to look after your new bridle to keep it in tip-top condition.
It is VERY easy to RUIN our bridles by using the wrong products, as they are Top-Quality Aniline Base Dyed Italian Leather, not cheaper Chrome-Dyed, Vegatable dyed or Drum-Dyed Leather!!
Always check that it fits your horse before treating it with any kind of leather dressing, as we will not give a refund or exchange a treated bridle.
Dismantle the bridle and place it on some clean paper.
Apply a liberal coat of good quality leather dressing to both sides, BUT NOT ON THE INSIDE OF THE BROWBAND LOOPS, OR THEY MAY STRETCH OVER TIME.
DO NOT USE GLYCERINE CONTAINING PRODUCTS OR ANY PETROIUM OIL BASED ONES!!!
These will affect the surface of the leather and may cause the colour and texture to change and the surface to crack!
Neatsfoot oil compound is pure neatsfoot oil mixed with synthetic oil, usually petroleum-based, so should NOT be used. But even pure neatsfoot oil is prone to oxidising, causing leather to crack and deteriorate. As such, it's wise to avoid using it.
We recommend 'Oh So Pure' Leather Balm, as it does not contain Glycerine, but uses Yorkshire Beeswax and Lanolin instead. Order it Here.
Allow the dressing to soak in and make sure that the bridle is dry before use.
For regular cleaning, dissassemble the bridle and wipe with a squeezed out sponge, dipped in warm water to remove dirt and grease. DO NOT USE SADDLE SOAP, DETERGENT OR ANY GLYCERINE or PETROLEUM-BASED OIL CONTAINING PRODUCTS.
Apply the Leather Conditioner with a dry, clean cloth and allow to dry.
WHY NOT GLYCERINE PRODUCTS?
As with 'Fairfax' bridles, (which also cannot be cleaned with Glycerine products), they are too harsh for our leather.
Our bridles are Top Quality Aniline Base Dyed leather. Very few bridles use this expensive dye method, but use the much cheaper (although very polluting) Chrome Dye method, or are Drum/Vegatable dyed.
Glycerine products are fine for use with cheaper leather.