Care For Field Boots?

i got a pair of zip-up field boots, made by Ariat, in the winter for showing in. at first, i only wore them about twice or three times a month, but then my coach said i had to %26quot;break them in%26quot; and wear them more often. now, i wear them almost half the time i ride (the other half is in my half chaps). however, my coach also said that i shouldnt clean the insides of the boots so i would have better grip on the horse. but then a friend said if i rubbed saddle soap (in the form of a bar) without any water on it, then i can clean it, then put the saddle soap on which will allow for more grip and protect at the same time. i was just wondering what else i can do to care for and protect them, and keep them in good condition without ruining the colour on them. any products you would recomend?

Care For Field Boots?
I used to have to clean my polo player%26#039;s boots after each match and they are much the same as field boots but with zippers. I washed them, soaped them and then polished them with normal boot polish. I really had to have them shiny and he never had a problem with gripping or slipping. If you can ride well, it shouldn%26#039;t really make that much difference.
Reply:With expensive boots like that, you shuld definetely clean then after every time you ride in them! I would recommend Bick 1 and Bick 4, Bick 1 is a leather cleaner and it works really good, and Bick 4 is leather conditioner and it really helps to shine the boots. They sell them at most tack shops and it is really cheap, like 6 dollars. You should probably also clean all of your boots, the inside included. Unless, you are talking about the actual inside of the boots, like the part yor legs touch. But if you are talking about the part touching the horse, ya you should clean that!!
Reply:There is a product and it is a stick.. looks like small deodorant. You can get it at most tack shops. if u rub it on the inside of your boot it helps your stick but you can also wash your boot and reaply
Reply:Personally... I would clean the insides of them. If you don%26#039;t, you%26#039;ll end up with a lot of built-up dirt and sweat from your horse; if you let this get too far along the leather will crack and it just isn%26#039;t good. Since the insides are in contact with your horse, no one can see them, so it doesn%26#039;t matter what they look like. However, they%26#039;re the part of your boots that get the most wear and tear, so it%26#039;s important to keep them in good condition. My plan for boot cleaning is to get the outsides and the feet ready for display, and get the insides supple and ready for work.





I get all the dirt off my boots with a damp rag, then go over the insides thoroughly with Horseman%26#039;s One Step. Any leather conditioner should work great, but that%26#039;s my favorite. Then I go over the outsides and the feet with boot polish. But it definitely is best not to put boot polish on the insides of your boots.





(note- by %26quot;insides%26quot; I%26#039;m assuming you mean the area of the boot that touches the horse, not the interior lining of the boot.)
Reply:At my last show, I won an %26quot;ariat boot care kit.%26quot; They sell them at most tack shops and Dover. It has ariat conditionera nd cleaner and a cloth and sponge.



maintenance repairs