How to Darken the Bridle Leather on a New Bridle
Leather bridles are sometimes lighter in color than desired when they're new. They may need to be darkened to match a saddle or to complement a horse's coloring. There are various saddle oils on the market for use on tack, including bridles. Make sure that the label doesn't specify that the oil won't darken leather. Neatsfoot oil works well for darkening bridles.
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Instructions
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Dismantle the bridle so that all the pieces are separate from one another. Pour the oil into a bucket or shallow pan and place all of the bridle pieces into the oil. Each piece of leather should be completely immersed; if a portion of the leather isn't covered in the oil it may not darken to the same shade as the rest of the leather. Let the leather soak for 2 to 3 hours.
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Remove each piece of leather from the oil and wipe it off. Place the leather on a few pieces of newsprint so any excess oil is caught. Put the leather and newsprint outside in the heat and sun until the remaining oil is absorbed and the leather is soft and pliable. The sun will help to bake the oil in. This may take anywhere from 2 hours to 8 hours depending on the temperature, cloud conditions and quality of the leather.
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Buff the leather with a soft cloth to remove any excess oil. If the leather is greasy and slick after buffing, use saddle soap, water and a sponge to clean the oil off. Put the bridle back together. This method of darkening bridle leather is best done on a warm, sunny day. It will darken the leather one to three shades depending on the length of time the leather is soaked and how long it sits in the sun.
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Tips & Warnings
If the leather only needs minor darkening, reduce the time you soak it in the oil to a few minutes and repeat as necessary to get the precise shade you want.
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