The Complete Guide to Cleaning Your Horse Riding Boots
If your riding boots are regularly exposed to dirt, mud, and water, you need to clean them. Leather is a natural material and it needs to be cleaned and conditioned regularly. It’s best to clean your boots with a damp cloth and a soft-bristle brush.
First of all, remove any excess dirt from the boot using an old toothbrush or similar tool. Don’t use anything too abrasive because this could damage the leather or affect how well it takes on polish later on down the line.
Step 1: Remove Dirt With A Brush
- Remove dirt with a brush. This step is the most important, and you should use a soft-bristled brush to remove dirt from your boots.
- You can use any kind of brush for this—even if it’s one that you would use on your own hair! If you don’t have one handy, here’s an easy way to make your own: take two or three strands of horsehair (or human hair, if you prefer), tie them together with twine or thread until they’re about 2 inches long. You can also glue them onto something like foam core board if you want it to stay together better (like at shows).
- Brush vigorously in small circles starting at the bottom of each boot and working all the way up toward the top until every bit of dirt has been removed from between each row of stitches along both sides where they meet inside at an angle that runs across all four corners where there isn’t any stitching around what would otherwise be considered “hidden seams” because they’re not visible once everything has been put back together properly after washing/drying time has elapsed; repeat process as necessary until all loose material such as rocks come off easily enough without damaging anything else during normal wear cycle(s).
Step 2: Apply A Leather Cleaner or Conditioner
Once you’ve removed any excess mud or dirt from the exterior of your boots with a cloth, it’s time to apply a leather cleaner or conditioner.
- Apply the leather cleaner in small circular motions. Ensure that you have a clean cloth and that it is dry before applying the product; otherwise, water will be absorbed into the leather and damage it further.
- Avoid using water as this can damage your horse riding boots even more!
Step 3: Let the leather dry on its own.
Step 3: Let the leather dry on its own.
When your boots are wet, avoid using a hair dryer or other direct heat. This will help prevent cracking and ensure that the leather dries on its own without drying out too much. This process can take quite a while, so be patient!
The Ultimate Guide to Storing Your Horse Riding Boots
Storing your boots properly is important because it can prolong the life of your boots and keep them in good condition. It’s also a small matter of respect for the work that went into making them. Here are some things to keep in mind when storing your horse riding boots:
- Use boot trees to keep the shape of the boot, but be careful not to over-tighten them!
- Store out of direct sunlight, or else they’ll fade over time.
- Avoid storing them in a plastic bag – this can cause condensation and make your boots smell bad
Step 1: Store your boots with trees
The best way to store your riding boots is by using a boot tree. These little wooden contraptions help the boot maintain its shape, which prevents creasing and crushing of the leather. They also dry faster than just hanging them up (which can lead to mold or mildew) and prevent the buckles from getting damaged. The more you use them, the better a job they’ll do for you in keeping your riding boots looking good!
Step 2: Keep your boots out of sunlight.
- Keep your boots out of direct sunlight. This is a no-brainer, but it’s important to mention that keeping your boots in a dark place (like a closet) will help them last longer. It’s also important not to store them in plastic bags or other containers that trap moisture, as this will speed up the process of decomposition.
Step 3: Avoid storing your boots in a plastic bag.
The third step you can take to keep your horse riding boots in good condition is to avoid storing them in a plastic bag.
Plastic bags are not breathable, so they can trap moisture inside the boot and cause mold or mildew to grow. If you do decide to store your boots in a plastic bag, make sure that there’s enough room for air to circulate around the boots—otherwise, they’ll get misshapen as well!
How To Choose The Right Pair Of Riding BootsFor You?
- Consider the types of riding you will be doing. If you’re planning on doing a lot of trail riding, or if you think your horse might be inclined to gallop off with you at any moment, it would be wise to get boots that are sturdy and secure. If, on the other hand, you’re just going to trot out in an open field every now and then with no obstacles in sight (and no need for speed), then something more lightweight may suffice.
- Look at your budget – is there anything wrong with saving up for a nicer pair of boots? No! But don’t put yourself into debt over it either; if leather isn’t within reach right away then synthetic materials can still provide adequate protection against bruising and injury during normal use.
- Choose high quality leather without compromising fit or design: The first step towards finding the perfect pair of riding boots is deciding what style fits best based on personal preference as well as what features matter most when examining options from different brands before making a final decision about which styles work best for each individual rider’s needs.*
Taking quality care of your horse riding boots will help you save time and money! Read on for the best tips to keep your horse riding boots looking great.
There are many things that you can do to help your boots stay in good condition.
- Keep them clean by brushing them off after every ride and wiping down any dirt or mud with a damp cloth before storing.
- Store your boots correctly when they are not being worn—do not store them wet! Make sure to store them on their sides with the soles facing up, so that excess moisture can evaporate from inside. A shoe rack is perfect for this task, but if no shoe rack is available then simply lay them on their sides in a row where they will be protected from direct sunlight and dust until next time you wear them again (make sure there’s room between each pair of shoes so that air can circulate).
- Choose the right pair of boots for what type of riding you intend on doing; if possible try out some different styles before purchasing so that nothing catches your eye as soon as you walk through the door at tack shop (that way when someone else tries their hand at checking out something else while waiting in line behind me!). If necessary ask an assistant which ones might work best based on what kind of activities come naturally while riding horses under normal conditions (such as jumping over obstacles) versus those which may cause discomfort due to excessive sweating during intensive periods such as exercising intensely under hot weather conditions…