[Sakura]

I really don't like new tack... it's just so stiff. I prefer soft, well used, buttery soft (soggy even) leather.

That being said, I have a brand-spanking-new bridle staring me down... It is a very nice quality, expen$ive bridle... So whatever I do to it I sure don't want to mess it up (I hear some oils may rot stitching, or over darken leather). It is a nice oakbark brown and I'd like to keep it within a shade or two true to color.

What is the best approach to break this baby in? Cleaning 4x/day with glycerin, slathering it with Lederbalsam, olive oil, sautéing it in butter until tender???

Looking forward to suggestions!

[Go Fish]

sautéing it in butter until tender???

That's a new one...hadn't thought of that.

Oiling does not rot stitching. Synthetic thread is used these days.

I prefer my bridles quite dark, so I'm not sure how far you want to go. I slather on some pure Neatsfoot oil, throw the bridle in a plastic bag and let it cook overnight. I then maintain it with glycerin soap, with maybe an oiling once or twice a year.

I've never used fancy-schmancy stuff on my tack and it's managed to survive all this time...it all still looks fabulous, too.

[amastrike]

Pure neatsfoot and handling. Dip or wipe each piece with oil, and roll and twist and fold the leather in your hands. Doing so opens up the pores of the leather to help the oil penetrate. It turns stiff new leather into super-soft broken-in leather in less than a minute .

[Foxtrot's]

Go to the manufacturer's website and check their recommendations. Do you want to darken it - or not? Used to be we used neatsfoot....nowadays tanning is different.

[Bluey]

Lexol.
That will make any leather soft, right down noodley soft, scarily noodley soft, but it will, once again dry, be the nicest leather forever.

I have used Lexol on many bridles and some saddles, some new.
One that it scared me how dark and too soft it got, but cleared up again and the leather is now, 40 years later, still in excellent shape, if darker by now.

Still, as someone mentioned, now knowing what kind of leather you have there today, the manufacturer would be your best bet for directions on how to care for it.

[Tiger Horse]

Pure neatsfoot and handling. Dip or wipe each piece with oil, and roll and twist and fold the leather in your hands. Doing so opens up the pores of the leather to help the oil penetrate. It turns stiff new leather into super-soft broken-in leather in less than a minute .

This is what I do - but, I use Lexol instead. Not quite as
"oily" as neetsfoot oil.

[Sakura]

Hmmmm... I do like Lexol, and think I may even have a little somewhere around here... Can pick up some neatsfoot oil the next time I'm near the tack shop Thanks for all the suggestions

[Ibex]

I just darkened and softened a bridle with some stuff that came in a plastic orange bottle... think it's German. Can't remember the name tho! Smells like beeswax... worked beautifully...

[Foxtrot's]

Lexol is my usual go-to product too. Use it on my leather sofa chairs, too, and it absorbs perfectly, covers up the scratches and makes them look new again.

Some new bridles come with a waxy protective coating which makes it hard for oil to penetrate.

[use'szoo]

Warm neatsfoot oil in the microwave until. it's almost uncomforatbly warm to the skin. It seems to penetrate the leather more quickly and deeper....it will darken the hide.

[Dispatcher]

Lexol.
That will make any leather soft, right down noodley soft, scarily noodley soft, but it will, once again dry, be the nicest leather forever.

I have used Lexol on many bridles and some saddles, some new.
One that it scared me how dark and too soft it got, but cleared up again and the leather is now, 40 years later, still in excellent shape, if darker by now.

Still, as someone mentioned, now knowing what kind of leather you have there today, the manufacturer would be your best bet for directions on how to care for it.

Agreed. Lexol is the best I've found. My bridle and lead shanks are lovely--after MORE than 45 years.

[JumpWithPanache]

Our barn does a 50-50 mixture of Neatsfoot Oil (NOT the compound) and Fiebings Hoof Oil. Darkens and softens up the leather beautifully.