Leather tack stored in a warm, moist environment may start to mould or mildew, which will eventually damage and destroy it unless the mould is removed. An easy way to kill these organisms is to wash the leather with a very weak bleach solution (a tablespoon on 2 litres of water).

Dry the leather thoroughly. If the leather is stiff and hard, apply saddle soap or leather ­conditioner after washing it. Once mould spores get into leather, they'll grow again whenever conditions are favourable, so keep the leather in good shape.

To prevent mildew in wet conditions, rub on saddle wax to seal the leather and ­create a moisture barrier so bacteria and mould spores won't gain access. It will also minimise ­damage from sweat and rain.

Apply the wax liberally and in warm ­conditions so that the leather will absorb it; otherwise, it will just cake on the surface or in the cracks of a carved saddle. You can use a hair drier to help work the wax in faster. To finish, buff the leather with a soft cloth so the surface is smooth and not sticky.

Rain-soaked leather

Unless you regularly clean and oil your tack, it will become stiff and hard when it dries ­after ­being in the rain. Well-oiled leather ­repels ­water and comes through in good shape if you wipe it dry and apply some saddle soap after you return home from a rainy ride. If the ­leather has not had much care and is ­somewhat dried out already, follow up by ­applying a ­conditioner to seal in some moisture as the leather dries, to keep it from cracking.

Restoring old, dry leather

Hot water works well for cleaning new ­leather, but it shrinks old, dry leather, much as hot ­water shrinks wool. Clean old leather with ­luke-warm water, then condition it. If the leather is very dry, use a thin, high-­quality oil that will easily ­penetrate. Some people use ­olive oil or peanut oil, but neatsfoot oil is less expensive, more available and works just as well, as does glove oil (used for keeping ­leather gloves soft and pliable).

You'll be able to tell how much oil to use. Old, dry leather will drink it in, especially if the leather or oil is at room temperature or warmed by the sun. Oil should feel warm to the touch when you apply it. If necessary, heat it on a stove in a container floating in a pan of water. Don't heat the oil in a pan directly on the burner, because it may become too hot.

After you oil the tack, let it sit for a few hours or all day. If it still feels brittle, stiff and dry after that, apply more oil. Once pliable, the leather is oiled enough. Use saddle butter or dressing (or any good wax-based product) to seal and protect the leather.

(Adapted from Saddle Smarts by Heather Smith Thomas, Storey Publishing, USA, 2005) SAH