DIY: How Can I Shape New Leather to Mold It to My Saddle Horn?

Wrapping your saddle horn in new leather, or adding additional leather to an existing wrap, is one of the best ways to protect your saddle from rope burns, scrapes and other unsightly problems. But the success of that saddle horn wrap is dependent on the leather itself and on how well that leather is treated and prepared. If the leather has been treated to be soft and pliable, the wrap should come off without a hitch. But if the leather is stiff and hard to work, wrapping the saddle horn will be that much more difficult.

Things You'll Need

  • Saddle soap
  • Mink oil or leather conditioner
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Instructions

    • 1

      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.

    • 2

      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.

    • 3

      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.

    • 4

      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.

    • 5

      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.