The best this leather has looked in years
It’s a belated Christmas and Year of the Horse gift to myself! My bridle and saddle are brand new.
Scratch that. The leather looks brand new. For a fraction of the price. The buckles? My bit? Reins? Stirrups? Those will have to be the subject of another post.
And the tack certainly doesn’t feel brand new (thankfully). It is perfectly supple with a nice shine and without any greasy or sticky residue.
As a former pony-clubber, there isn’t much I love more than happy leather. Call it Stockholm Syndrome, but cleaning tack is a favorite pastime.
I thought I had perfected my ritual…until I tried this product.
This review of Higher Standards Leather Care by Across the Ditch sparked my curiosity (thank you!!). The company is located in Florida and sells via an Etsy shop.
I ordered the seasonal cinnamint soap and conditioner combo.
The product arrived within a few days. I was tickled to find butterscotch and peppermint candies in the envelope.
Don’t let the indulgent smell of the soap fool you. It is a powerhouse cutting through jockeys, sweat, and dust with ease. And in another nice personalized touch, there was already a tack sponge in the jar. The conditioner smells slightly sweet and didn’t overwhelm my hands with goo.
Higher Standards will have a permanent spot in my leather care kit. Consider adding it to yours!
In the meantime, does anyone have a recommendation to transform the metal on my tack??
Capital Cowgirl 
Going old school: steel wool.
YES! Steel wool is one of the stand-by favorites.
I always used a toothbrush with some metal polish. For the bit, I use toothpaste! 😀
I’m sure my mare would like the minty fresh flavor. Thanks!
Soak in Coke for 3 or 4 hours (but do keep an eye on it!) then a few cycles in the dishwasher. Sparkling clean every time 🙂 We have classes in Australia where things like this are judged…so it’s a weekly thing. Stirrup treads come up well with “white” toothpaste. Any German Silver bits etc clear nail polish the rings once clean to prevent it tarnishing again. Hope that helps.
These are incredibly helpful tips, thank you! I had never heard of using Coke, and never thought about clear nail polish, but that makes great sense.
Maybe you can come clean my tack then .. cuz i hate doing it! 😀
But it is SO worth the effort! And our horses look even better in clean tack.
Im to lazy to look good!
I ordered some HS soap and conditioner too, I really like it!
I second the toothbrush to clean medal 🙂
It’s really good stuff! Which scent have you got?
Wait they make different scents?! I never realized!
They do! Four are available all the time (Unscented, Rosemary Mint, Citrus Ginger, and Vanilla Lavender), and the Cinnamint I purchased was a seasonal special edition. Check out the Etsy store here: http://www.etsy.com/listing/130890750/buzzs-citrus-ginger-handcrafted-saddle?ref=cat_gallery_5
Great write up – I’d love to give the whole line of products a try, how could I pick just one scent!? I just use the dishwasher for bits, sanitizes them too. Never tried toothpaste on stirrup plastic – will test it out.
Elinor, I wouldn’t fault you if you did. Think of it as an incentive to keep your tack in tip-top shape.