Lincoln
Leather & Tack Care
Jump straight to the care you're after - grooming, hooves, first aid and more.
Lincoln Tack Care
What is the best Lincoln product for cleaning and conditioning tack?
For most riders the answer is a two-step routine: clean with a glycerine or lanolised soap, then feed the leather with a balsam, cream or oil. Lincoln Lanolised Leather Soap (200gm or 400gm, from £3.59) is the easiest all-round cleaner because the added lanolin conditions as it cleans. If your leather has gone dry and stiff, follow with Lincoln Classic Neatsfoot Oil (500ml, 1 Litre or 4 Litre, from £6.42) or Lincoln Superior Leather Balsam+ (250gm, £7.41). This collection holds 15 Lincoln tack care products, and everything named below is in stock right now.
In a hurry?
- Cheapest way in: Lincoln Lanolised Leather Soap 200gm, £3.59.
- Best everyday clean: Lincoln Classic Glycerine Bar Soap, 250gm, £4.45.
- Fastest clean: Lincoln Glycerine Spray Soap, 500ml, £8.39.
- Dry, thirsty leather: Lincoln Classic Neatsfoot Oil, from £6.42.
- Whole routine in one box: Lincoln Superior Leather Care 3 Step System, £30.59.
- Busy yard, bulk size: Lincoln Glycerine Tub Soap 3.5Kg, £46.14.
Which Lincoln tack care product should I choose?
Pick by the job you actually need doing rather than by the size of the pot. Every product and price below is currently available.
| Your job | Best pick | Sizes | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clean and condition in one step | Lincoln Lanolised Leather Soap | 200gm, 400gm | from £3.59 |
| Traditional bar soap on the tack rack | Lincoln Classic Glycerine Bar Soap | 250gm | £4.45 |
| Quick wipe-over after a hack | Lincoln Glycerine Spray Soap | 500ml | £8.39 |
| Soft soap you scoop and work in | Lincoln Glycerine Tub Soap | 400gm, 3.5Kg | from £6.79 |
| Gel-format cleanse for detailed work | Lincoln Glycerine Gel Soap | 250ml | £4.82 |
| Deep feed for dry, stiff leather | Lincoln Classic Neatsfoot Oil | 500ml, 1 Litre, 4 Litre | from £6.42 |
| Nourish without a heavy oil finish | Lincoln Superior Leather Balsam+ | 250gm | £7.41 |
| Larger balsam pot for a full set of tack | Lincoln Superior Leather Balsam | 400gm | £9.01 |
| Gentle cleanse before conditioning | Lincoln Superior Leather Cleansing Gel | 500ml | £9.62 |
| Clean, restore and bring back colour | Lincoln Heritage Leather Cream | 400gm | £9.62 |
| Weather protection for hard-worked leather | Lincoln Classic Leather Dressing | 500ml | £6.79 |
| A complete routine bought once | Lincoln Superior Leather Care 3 Step System | One size | £30.59 |
How do soaps, balsams, creams and oils differ?
Soaps: the cleaning step
Glycerine and lanolised soaps lift sweat, grease and mud off the surface. Lincoln offers the same idea in four formats so you can match it to how you work: a bar (£4.45), a tub you scoop from (from £6.79), a gel (£4.82) and a spray (£8.39). The bar and tub suit a proper strip-down clean; the spray suits a two-minute wipe after riding.
Balsams and creams: the conditioning step
Once leather is clean it needs feeding, or it dries out and cracks. Lincoln Superior Leather Balsam+ (250gm, £7.41) and the 400gm Lincoln Superior Leather Balsam (£9.01) soak in and help keep leather supple without leaving the greasy film a heavy oil can. Lincoln Heritage Leather Cream (400gm, £9.62) goes a step further, cleaning and restoring appearance at the same time, which is handy on older tack that has gone dull.
Oils and dressings: rescue and weatherproofing
Lincoln Classic Neatsfoot Oil (from £6.42) is the traditional choice for leather that has been left too long and feels hard. It penetrates deeply, so apply it thinly and build up over a few days rather than soaking the leather in one go. Lincoln Classic Leather Dressing (500ml, £6.79) is aimed at leather that lives outdoors and needs help shrugging off rain.
How often should tack actually be cleaned?
A quick wipe-down after every ride, a proper soap-and-condition once a week, and a full strip-and-feed once a month is a routine most riders can keep up. Stitching and the underside of the girth and reins matter more than the shiny outer surface, because that is where sweat sits and where leather fails first. If you ride daily in winter mud, lean towards the spray soap for speed mid-week and save the tub or bar for the weekend.
What about safety and stitching?
Cleaning products look after the leather, not the structure. Check billets, buckle holes, rein stitching and girth straps every time you clean, and have anything that looks stretched, cracked or frayed inspected by a qualified saddler before you ride in it. If you are unsure whether a piece of tack is still safe, get in touch and our team will help point you in the right direction.
Lincoln tack care: your questions answered
What is the difference between glycerine soap and lanolised leather soap?
Glycerine soap is primarily a cleaner: it lifts sweat and dirt and leaves a clean, slightly conditioned surface. Lanolised soap, such as Lincoln Lanolised Leather Soap (from £3.59), adds lanolin so it cleans and feeds in the same pass. If you clean often and condition separately, glycerine is fine. If you want fewer steps, choose the lanolised soap.
Can I use neatsfoot oil on all my leather tack?
Lincoln Classic Neatsfoot Oil (from £6.42) suits most traditional tanned leather, but it darkens leather and softens it, so it is not the right choice for stiff structural parts or for pale show tack you want to keep light. Always test on a hidden area first, apply thin coats, and avoid soaking stitching. For suede, nubuck or synthetic tack, use a product made for that material instead.
Which Lincoln product is best for brand-new tack?
New leather usually needs conditioning rather than heavy cleaning. Lincoln Superior Leather Balsam+ (250gm, £7.41) or the 400gm Lincoln Superior Leather Balsam (£9.01) helps break in new tack gently while keeping the finish looking as it should. Save neatsfoot oil for leather that has already dried out.
Do I need a sponge or a cloth to apply these products?
A slightly damp sponge works best for bar and tub soaps, because the water helps the soap lather and spread. Use a dry, soft cloth for balsams, creams and dressings so you control how much goes on. Keep separate applicators for cleaning and conditioning, otherwise you spread old grease back over freshly cleaned leather.
How do I deal with mould on tack that has been stored?
Take the tack outside, wipe the surface growth away with a dry cloth so you are not grinding it in, then clean with a glycerine soap such as Lincoln Classic Glycerine Bar Soap (£4.45) and let it dry naturally away from direct heat. Condition afterwards with a balsam or cream, and store in a dry, airy place rather than a sealed bag. Damp storage is the underlying cause, so fixing that matters more than the cleaning product you pick.
Is the 3 Step System better value than buying products separately?
Lincoln Superior Leather Care 3 Step System costs £30.59 and gives you a complete clean-condition-protect routine in one purchase, which suits someone setting up from scratch or buying a gift. If you already own a soap you like, buying just the step you are missing, such as the 500ml Lincoln Superior Leather Cleansing Gel (£9.62), will usually cost less. Get in touch and our team will help you work out which fits your tack.
Browse the full Lincoln Equestrian range, or explore Lincoln coat care, skin care and yard & stable supplies.
Free UK delivery over £50 · 90-day returns · Expert help
Last reviewed 2026-07-24 by the Just Horse Riders team.