Things You'll Need
- Saddle soap
- Mink oil or leather conditioner
Instructions
Lay the leather out on a flat surface and knead it with your hands until it is lying as flat as possible. Dampen a soft cloth and dip it in a can of saddle soap.
Apply the saddle soap generously to the piece of leather. Work the saddle soap into the grain of the leather, then allow it to dry before wiping off the excess.
Apply a quality leather conditioner after cleaning the piece thoroughly with saddle soap. Mink oil works well for dark colored leather, but it can darken lighter shades of leather. If you have a natural or light colored leather, look for a leather conditioner designed for lighter shades.
Wipe the conditioner on to the leather and work it into the grain. Continue applying the conditioner until the leather is soft and supple. The amount of time this takes depends on the quality of the leather and the type of conditioner you use.
Place the leather sheet over the saddle horn and carefully fit it around the horn. Wrap a small strip of leather around the saddle horn to hold the piece in place. Keep that strip in place as the new leather molds itself to the saddle horn.