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| I must explain, the pantyhose in the upper right has everything to do with |
I'd explain that this isn't a sexist request, but you're all equestrians. You get it. We get really good at cleaning, conditioning and polishing leather for our horses, it's only fair that our husbands and wives get to benefit from those skills too, right? Luckily for mine, I like taking care of leather.
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| Chillin' with Lederbalsam |
But...I couldn't just stop at the Sperrys once I got my kit out. So...
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| From left to right: Ariat Bromont H20 winter boots, Ariat Heritage field boots, Ariat ProBaby cowboy boots (yes, I wear them!), Ariat Performer IV paddock boots, and Ariat Contour half chaps |
Everybody got cleaned, first with a damp rag and then with Higher Standards. Then those that needed it got shoe polish (paddock boots due to excessive wear, show boots because I like a healthy glow there), and the polish got polished vigorously with pantyhose to give it that nice luster.
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| The B Team at the scene of the crime, on my kitchen floor. |
Those that didn't need polish got conditioned and left to soak overnight in a warm room. Whatever conditioner is left in the morning will get wiped off, they'll get buffed and finally, a light coating of (solidified) mink oil for the paddock boots and winter boots to increase their ability to repel water.
(Not that the Bromont H20's need it. Those things are like rubber boots in puddles.)
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| Bromont H20's shown covered in Lederbalsam. They pretty much still look brand new after a solid winter of work. |
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| Five years old, worn 7-8 months per year. Bought practically new on eBay for $45. This is the model with the lace up front and zip back, and if they ever stop making them I will have to stop riding. |
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| 3 years old, worn seriously minutes per year. Paid $50 on eBay, cannot complain. |
Actually I just cleaned the cowboy boots and didn't do anything else to them. I'm not sure what to do with them cleaning-wise, TBH. All part of my grand cowboy boot experiment. I'm looking forward to reviewing these and sharing the experiment soon.
Not sure how I ended up with that much Ariat stuff, but I've been nothing but pleased with the fit, comfort, longevity and wear of all of it. Three cheers for Ariat!
My husband and I own an embarrassing number of Ariat cowboy boots between the two of us! I clean them (very infrequently) with Higher Standards, condition if they're looking thirsty, annnnnd that's about it. They've served us well, and we beat the crap out of those things!
ReplyDeleteCowboy boot fans, unite! I have really enjoyed having them around. I find myself reaching for them a lot more often than I thought I would.
DeleteHaha I own like... 4 pairs of Ariat cowboy boots 😂 my MIL always buys them for my for Christmas, and I have no problem wearing them out to the barn with breeches and only changing into my tall boots to ride. I abuse the crap out of them, should probably have a boot cleaning night soon!
ReplyDeleteHey, not a bad Christmas present! I try to do the same and not do things like give baths in my paddock or tall boots, but I'm sometimes lazy. Maybe now with these I won't be.
DeleteWait, do you clean sperry's just like you do leather boots?!
ReplyDeleteThese are 100% leather Sperrys, so yes. I have some cloth/not real leather Sperrys myself that I don't clean like boots.
DeleteYour barn is 50 minutes away?! Holy cow!
ReplyDeleteNow I'm feeling guilty- I should be boot cleaning!
ReplyDeleteI love cleaning tack and I hate cleaning boots. Dunno why.
ReplyDeleteMe too! I thought I was the only one. I don't know why but I don't like cleaning boots.
DeleteWell Nick must have his clean Sperrys! lol ... also, I may "accidentally" leave my boots at your house ...
ReplyDeleteI'm embarrassed to admit the last time I cleaned my paddock boots or tall boots. But I also love my ariat cowboy boots, I want some of the baby ones! Mine are tall and not the easiest to get on and off
ReplyDelete