Easy Everyday Leather Care Tips from a Leatherworker

Intro

Leatherworker Emily Porter from EKP Leatherwork shares her easy top tips to keeping your leather tack looking and functioning at its best! She also shares what to do when your tack gets soaked or your horse stands on your reins.

Why is leather care important? 

There are two main reasons we should be looking after our saddlery. First, safety! Leather is just like our skin – if we don’t protect it, it can dry out and crack. Stitching and buckles should also be checked and maintained. Second, the comfort of your horse! Rough, sweat-crusted leather can cause rub marks on your horse’s skin, potentially leading to sores and a great deal of discomfort for your horse.

A Leatherworker’s Top Tips 

To start: Keep a soft rag and a tin of leather conditioner, like Buzz Balms Bee’s Knees Leather Balm, in your everyday kit. Once you’ve finished riding and looking after your horse, here are some quick and easy steps you can take to keep your tack in good condition in between thorough cleaning:
Step 1. Rinse your bit off, taking care not to get the bridle wet. Soaked leather dries hard, making it difficult to undo and more prone to cracking.
Step 2. Using a damp cloth, wipe off dirt and sweat. Once it starts to build up, it’s harder to clean it off!
Step 3. Wipe/brush wet grass and mud from your stirrups before rolling them up, to stop this transferring to your saddle.
Step 4. Hang your tack up straight and in a well ventilated area. Damp tack that’s left in a pile will dry out of shape.
Step 5. A quick wipe down with a little bit of leather balm in between a thorough clean and condition, will go a long way to helping keep your saddlery looking good and lasting longer.

Help! My tack got...

What do I do if my tack gets soaked in the rain?

Don’t despair! Undo all buckles, let it dry naturally (i.e. not in front of a heat source), and once dry apply leather conditioner.

What do I do if my horse stands on my reins?

Thoroughly check all stitching, buckles and leather – if it looks weak or obviously broken, get it checked or repaired by a leatherworker (or a saddler for saddles).

Help, my tack has a scratch mark!

Scratches can often be smoothed out by using some leather balm and the back of a spoon.

About the author

Based in Dayboro, Emily Porter is the creative force behind EKP Leatherwork. While she offers custom and repair services, her fusion of traditional techniques with classic equestrian aesthetics breathes life into distinctive and practical pieces crafted from repurposed saddlery. Recently awarded First Place and Best Leatherwork Exhibit of the 2025 Ekka, Emily embodies a wealth of talent that pays homage to the quality craftsmanship of yesteryears.

See more of EKP Leatherwork online: www.ekpleatherwork.com.au or on socials: @ekp_leatherwork