Breaking in a new bridle
I am very excited to finally have my own tack for the horse I lease. Of course, this has made me realize that I know very little about leather care! I checked up on the "tack" and related tags, but everything seemed to relate to saddles and before I do anything to my brand-new bridle I thought I would ask a few questions.
The bridle isn't a super expensive model, and while the leather is pretty soft and supple all ready the reins are fairly stiff. Can I use any type of oil on them? (I just worry something will make them slippery). Or is this something I should fix by playing with the leather to get it more flexible?
Also, neatsfoot oil vs. something else (it seems alot of people recommend passier's leather care products)... I don't really want to darken my tack; how much darker will neatsfoot oil make it? I ask because I can readily buy neatsfoot oil, anything else I'll probably have to order online.
Thank you in advance, and here is the handsome boy I lease:
Not the most flattering picture of my riding, but he looked cute! And you may be able to tell the reins were stiff--I just couldn't get them to feel right. My fault for not researching this before I tried to ride in the new bridle.
The bridle isn't a super expensive model, and while the leather is pretty soft and supple all ready the reins are fairly stiff. Can I use any type of oil on them? (I just worry something will make them slippery). Or is this something I should fix by playing with the leather to get it more flexible?
Also, neatsfoot oil vs. something else (it seems alot of people recommend passier's leather care products)... I don't really want to darken my tack; how much darker will neatsfoot oil make it? I ask because I can readily buy neatsfoot oil, anything else I'll probably have to order online.
Thank you in advance, and here is the handsome boy I lease:
Not the most flattering picture of my riding, but he looked cute! And you may be able to tell the reins were stiff--I just couldn't get them to feel right. My fault for not researching this before I tried to ride in the new bridle.