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The Solution Section (FAQ)
What does Leather Therapy do for saddles and tack?
Leather Therapy offers a line of products to strengthen, beautify, restore and condition leather, including saddles, boots, and upholstery. It targets the mold, mildew, dirt and grime that destroy the integrity and beauty of quality leather over time.
Does Leather Therapy actually make leather stronger, or just look better?
Both. In 1999, independent university laboratory testing conducted by a major tannery showed that Leather Therapy Restorer and Leather Therapy WASH increased leather strength by 36% and inhibited mold growth. The products are designed to restore that fresh, soft feel and look while protecting the leather itself.
Has Leather Therapy won any awards?
Yes. Leather Therapy Restorer won Best Leather Care Conditioner in Michael Plumb's Horse Journal. It's positioned as an affordable, easy-to-use, and truly superior line of leather care products.
Can I wash leather and suede items in a washing machine?
Yes. Leather Therapy has a Leather Laundry Solution made for suedes, riding pants, sheepskin, and other leather clothing that you use in your own washing machine. It restores that fresh, soft feel and look.
Will Leather Therapy help with mold and mildew on neglected leather?
Yes. Fighting mold, mildew, dirt and grime is a core purpose of the line. Independent laboratory testing showed Leather Therapy Restorer and Leather Therapy WASH inhibited mold growth.
Does Leather Therapy work on more than just horse tack?
Yes. The line is made for expensive leather products of many kinds, from saddles and boots to upholstery. The Leather Laundry Solution also covers leather truck interiors, riding pants, sheepskin, and other leather clothing.
Why should I condition leather instead of replacing it?
Quality leather is not inexpensive, yet mold, mildew, dirt and grime are often allowed to destroy its integrity and beauty. Leather Therapy is designed to strengthen, beautify, restore and condition that leather affordably, protecting the investment you already own.
How can I buy Leather Therapy or learn more?
Call Leather Therapy at 800-711-8225 or visit www.leathertherapy.com to explore the full line of leather care products. You can also email
[email protected] with questions about which product fits your saddles, tack, or leather clothing.
What is the difference between Leather Therapy Wash and Leather Therapy Restorer & Conditioner?
They are a two-step system. Leather Therapy Wash is the cleaner: a no-rinse spray with micro-suds that lifts embedded dirt out of the inner fibers of your leather without leaving residue or moisture buildup. Leather Therapy Restorer & Conditioner is the follow-up step that deep-penetrates to replenish moisturizers, restore suppleness and color, and protect the stitching. For best results you wash first, let the leather dry, then condition. Used together they clean, restore, and protect saddles and tack in a simple routine.
How do I use Leather Therapy Wash on my saddle and tack?
Spray Leather Therapy Wash onto a clean sponge or soft cloth and wipe it over the leather for routine maintenance, taking care not to saturate the leather. For heavily soiled tack, use light applications and let the cleaning agents lift the dirt naturally before wiping away the excess. Because it is a no-rinse formula, you simply wipe it off. Its gentle micro-suds make it well suited to western tack with intricate tooling, where dirt and buildup tend to collect. As with any leather product, test in a hidden area first.
How do I apply Leather Therapy Restorer & Conditioner correctly?
Shake the bottle, then apply Leather Therapy Restorer & Conditioner to clean leather with a sponge, using it sparingly for best results. Allow the leather to dry completely, as it will absorb only what it needs; drying time varies with the thickness and dryness of the leather. As it dries, the Restorer may bring old, embedded oils and soaps to the surface, which you simply wipe down with a damp sponge. It is designed to be used after Leather Therapy Wash, and you should test it in a hidden area before treating the whole piece.
Is Leather Therapy safe to use on suede?
Leather Therapy Restorer & Conditioner is formulated for smooth leather and synthetic tack, riding boots, work boots, and leather apparel, and it is not recommended for suede. For suede and other delicate items the brand has historically offered a Leather Laundry Solution made specifically for suedes, sheepskin, riding pants, and leather clothing. If you are unsure which product is right for a particular item, it is always best to test in a hidden spot first or reach out to the company before applying.
Will Leather Therapy Restorer & Conditioner darken or stain my leather?
Leather Therapy Restorer & Conditioner is designed to restore rich color and suppleness without being greasy or sticky, and it will not stain clothing once dry. Because it deep-penetrates rather than sitting on the surface, the leather absorbs only what it needs. Drying behavior can vary by leather type, so testing in a hidden area first lets you confirm the look before treating the entire saddle, boot, or piece of tack. Applying it sparingly, as directed, gives the most even, natural result.
Can Leather Therapy help new tack break in faster?
Yes. One of the benefits of Leather Therapy Restorer & Conditioner is that it shortens the break-in time for new leather while protecting the stitching. By replenishing moisturizers and restoring suppleness, it helps stiff new saddles, bridles, and boots become comfortable sooner, and it supports the leather's durability so it lasts longer. With delicate new leather that still has setting dyes, avoid hard rubbing or abrasive cloths and use light applications so the dyes are not disturbed.
What is in Leather Therapy and what does it do for mold and mildew?
Leather Therapy Restorer & Conditioner uses o-phenyl phenol as its active ingredient, with the remaining inactive ingredients making up a not-greasy, not-sticky formula that will not stain clothing. Beyond cleaning and conditioning, regular use helps inhibit mold and mildew from returning, which is a common problem on saddles and tack stored in humid barns. Pairing routine cleaning with Leather Therapy Wash and conditioning with the Restorer gives leather both a clean surface and ongoing protection against mold growth.
Who makes Leather Therapy, and where can I find it?
Leather Therapy is part of the Absorbine family of horse-care products from W.F. Young, Inc., a family-owned American company that has been in the equine care business since 1892, with products proudly made in the USA. You can explore the full Leather Therapy leather care line, including Leather Therapy Wash and Leather Therapy Restorer & Conditioner, at leathertherapy.com. The line is a trusted, affordable way to clean, condition, and protect the leather saddles, tack, boots, and apparel you have already invested in.
What sizes does Leather Therapy Wash come in, and which should I buy?
Leather Therapy Wash is offered as an 8 oz spray bottle for everyday touch-ups and travel, with larger 16 oz and 32 oz options for riders who clean a lot of tack or run a busy barn. The 8 oz spray is the convenient daily-maintenance size, while the bigger bottles are more economical for full saddle, bridle, and boot collections. Because the Wash can also be diluted in warm water for broader barn cleaning, a larger size stretches even further when you are washing down several pieces of gear at once.
How much does the Leather Therapy line cost?
As listed on the brand's site, Leather Therapy Wash is regularly $20.99, with a Subscribe and Save price of $18.89 (10 percent off). Leather Therapy Restorer and Conditioner is regularly $24.59, also with a 10 percent subscription discount. The companion Horseman's One Step Cream Leather Cleaner and Conditioner, an all-in-one lanolin-based option for quick cleaning and conditioning, is listed at $13.99. Prices can change, so check leathertherapy.com for current pricing and any bundle or subscription offers before ordering.
How is Leather Therapy different from ordinary saddle soap or oil?
Most saddle soaps and dressings coat the outside of the leather, which can leave a sticky film, attract more dirt, or temporarily darken the hide without addressing what is happening inside the fiber. Leather Therapy works differently. The Wash lifts embedded dirt out of the inner fibers and rinses clean with no residue, and the Restorer and Conditioner penetrates to pull old oils and soaps to the surface while replenishing the leather's own moisturizers. The result is leather that is genuinely clean and re-moisturized from the inside out, kept supple and strong rather than just shiny on the surface.
Does the Leather Therapy system help keep mold and mildew from coming back?
Yes. Mold and mildew are a constant threat in humid barns, tack trunks, and horse trailers, and they feed on the dirt and oils trapped in neglected leather. Cleaning thoroughly with Leather Therapy Wash removes that food source from the inner fibers, and following with regular maintenance using Leather Therapy Restorer and Conditioner is formulated to inhibit mold and mildew from returning. Used together as an ongoing routine rather than a one-time rescue, the two-step system helps protect saddles, bridles, boots, and other leather from the staining and weakening that mold causes over time.
Is Leather Therapy Wash safe for tooled western tack and fine show gear?
It is well suited to detailed work. Leather Therapy Wash is a no-rinse spray, so you never have to soak intricately tooled western tack in standing water or scrub it with heavy soaps that can dull carving and damage delicate stitching. You spray it onto a clean sponge or soft cloth, work it gently into the leather without saturating it, and wipe away the lifted dirt. That makes it a practical choice for show saddles, carved breast collars, and other fine pieces where preserving the tooling and finish matters as much as getting them clean.
Can I use Leather Therapy on synthetic leather, nylon, and other non-leather gear?
Leather Therapy Wash is versatile across the barn. In addition to genuine leather saddles, bridles, boots, and shoes, it is suitable for synthetic leather, nylon halters and leads, jackets, wool pads, and galloping boots, making it a single cleaner for a wide mix of tack and apparel. The Restorer and Conditioner is intended for leather and synthetic tack, riding and work boots, leather apparel, and saddles. The one item to keep separate is suede, which the Restorer and Conditioner is not formulated for.
What is the right order to use Leather Therapy Wash and Restorer and Conditioner?
Clean first, then condition. Start with Leather Therapy Wash to lift embedded dirt and grime out of the leather's inner fibers and wipe it clean with no rinsing required. Once the leather is clean and dry, follow with Leather Therapy Restorer and Conditioner, applied sparingly with a sponge to deep-condition, restore suppleness and color, and protect the stitching. Conditioning over a clean surface lets the moisturizers penetrate properly instead of sealing grime into the leather, which is why the brand specifies using the Restorer after the Wash.
Will Leather Therapy Restorer and Conditioner leave my tack greasy or stain my clothes?
No. The Restorer and Conditioner is specifically formulated to be neither greasy nor sticky, so when applied sparingly and allowed to dry thoroughly it leaves a clean, soft feel rather than an oily film that rubs off on your hands or breeches. The brand also notes it will not stain clothing. As with any leather product, applying it sparingly with a sponge and letting it fully dry gives the best result, and testing in a hidden area first is recommended any time you treat a new or unfamiliar piece of leather.
Can Leather Therapy restore old, dry, or stiff leather?
That is exactly what the Restorer and Conditioner is designed to do. By penetrating deep to replenish the moisturizers that age, heat, and neglect strip away, it returns flexibility and color to leather that has dried out, stiffened, or faded. Tack that has been sitting in a trunk, a saddle that cracked from a dry summer, or boots that have gone hard can often be brought back to a supple, conditioned state rather than replaced. Cleaning first with the Wash and then conditioning, with regular follow-up maintenance, gives tired leather the best chance to recover.
How do I apply Leather Therapy Restorer and Conditioner step by step?
Start with leather that has already been cleaned with Leather Therapy Wash and allowed to dry. Shake the Restorer and Conditioner well before use. Apply it sparingly to the clean leather with a sponge, working it in evenly, and use it sparingly for the best result rather than over-applying. Allow the leather to dry thoroughly. Because the product is designed to lift embedded oils and soaps to the surface, you can wipe the leather with a damp sponge afterward if any residue is brought up. Spot-test in a hidden area first, and keep it off suede.
Who endorses Leather Therapy, and has it won any independent recognition?
Leather Therapy is endorsed and used by respected horsewoman and clinician Julie Goodnight, who features the Wash and the Restorer and Conditioner on her own tack. Beyond rider endorsement, Leather Therapy Restorer earned Best Leather Care Conditioner recognition in Michael Plumb's Horse Journal, an evaluation-driven publication known for testing products rather than simply running advertising. That combination of a trusted clinician's everyday use and an editorial award reflects the brand's long-standing focus on leather integrity and proven, repeatable results.
Who makes Leather Therapy and where is it made?
Leather Therapy is part of the Absorbine family of horse-care products from W.F. Young, Inc., a family-owned American company that has been in the horse-care business continuously since 1892. The Leather Therapy products are proudly made in the USA. That heritage matters to riders who want consistent quality and a company with a long track record behind the leather care they trust their expensive saddles and tack to, rather than a generic or imported formula with no history.
Is the Leather Therapy two-step system worth it compared to buying new tack?
Quality leather is a significant investment, and a saddle or bridle that has been allowed to collect mold, mildew, dirt, and grime loses both its beauty and its structural integrity long before it should. A clean-then-condition routine with Leather Therapy Wash and Restorer and Conditioner is an affordable, easy way to strengthen, beautify, and protect that gear so it lasts for years. Regular maintenance keeps leather supple, holds mold and mildew at bay, and preserves resale value, which is far less costly than replacing saddles, boots, and tack that were neglected.
What is the Horseman's One Step Cream, and when should I use it instead?
Horseman's One Step Cream Leather Cleaner and Conditioner is the all-in-one option in the Leather Therapy leather-care collection, a lanolin-based solution that cleans and conditions in a single step for quick touch-ups. It is handy when you want a fast wipe-down between full cleanings or do not need the deeper, separate clean-and-condition treatment that the Wash and Restorer pair delivers. For routine maintenance of fine or heavily soiled leather, the two-step Wash plus Restorer and Conditioner system gives the most thorough result; the One Step Cream is the convenient everyday alternative.
