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  Discussion on Help !! slippery new boots, and I have a show tomorrow
Author Message
Member:
Sswiley

Posted on Friday, Aug 11, 2006 - 7:18 pm:

OK here is my story . . . .
After many years of riding I finally bought a new pair of boots (tall Black) and I put them on the other day for the first time. I can deal with the pain but they are more slippery than my kitchen floor!!
They are your middle of the road value and have that nice shiny leather. They are plenty soft(for new boots) and are breaking down like they should but the inside of the calf is determined to stay shiny and slippery. I have tried a rough sponge and detergent to take off any wax layer. I also tried putting on a thick layer of wax and not buffing it( it buffed itself while riding). I even took a brillo pad to it and it will take a lot of elbow grease to affect this incredible finish! Its like a cars finish! They are exhausting to ride in and keep my leg tight. Tomorrow I am going to a show, just a few warm up jumper classes, and I am afraid of embarassing myself. Any one know any tips on breaking in this leather short of getting my husbands orbital sander out?
sincerely Shelley
Member:
Hwood

Posted on Friday, Aug 11, 2006 - 7:40 pm:

Double stick tape? Aileen's Tacky Glue and a green Scotch Brite scrubbie? Peel and stick Velcro strips? Peel and stick felt pads (found in the hardware section for furniture legs). Ummm . . . Wads of chewing gum?
Member:
Corinne

Posted on Friday, Aug 11, 2006 - 7:41 pm:

Saddle tite?
Member:
Sswiley

Posted on Friday, Aug 11, 2006 - 7:54 pm:

Now saddle tite I have heard of but . . . . Holly . . . . am I that out of touch or just gullible.
Member:
Hwood

Posted on Friday, Aug 11, 2006 - 8:03 pm:

When it gets down to the wire, I use what's at hand . . . and I wouldn't have a clue where to get "Saddle Tite," but I have Aileen's and a scrubbie pad under the kitchen sink . . . . . . It's the old "Make do or do without" adage that was pummeled into me as a child.
Member:
Sswiley

Posted on Friday, Aug 11, 2006 - 8:34 pm:

I thought for a moment you were going to say "when it gets down to brass tacks" . . . That would have hurt a bit.
Well I am down to the wire, dont have time to go shopping, cant find my Saddle Tite. At least the boots are not expensive and I can be a little "experimental" with them.
I will try a few things tonight and toss some double stick tape and various glues in the trailer.
Thanks for getting my imagination going !
Member:
36541

Posted on Friday, Aug 11, 2006 - 9:32 pm:

Any chance the old boots would do just one more time? I'd hate to screw up my fun at a show due to equipment issues... good luck, stick tight Stacy
Member:
Sswiley

Posted on Friday, Aug 11, 2006 - 10:09 pm:

Yeah, I hear ya Stacy.
I will bring them just in case, there is a worn hole on the inside of one calf(now I know which leg is stronger !!). From a distance they look OK, they are an old pair of Dehners (sp?), cant even read the name anymore.
Game plan is . . . if he is acting like a total goof ball I will wear my old boots cause I know I can hang on. Otherwise I will try to make a go of it with the new ones and put something gooey on them.
Member:
Corinne

Posted on Friday, Aug 11, 2006 - 10:27 pm:

Good luck in the show! You will go with what feels right on Show day! Let us know how things turned out.

Corinne
Member:
Sswiley

Posted on Friday, Aug 11, 2006 - 11:47 pm:

you guys are too sweet.
Just to put this in perspective, this is the first time I have jumped him at a show in at least 5 years.
I quit jumping him because of some elusive hind end problem. Finally diagnosed it as EPSM last fall.
He is sooooo happy to be jumping again, he has always loved it and was quite good. Now he gives me those happy bucks after the fence and starts looking for the next one.
He is just doing the baby jumper stuff right now but who knows what he will be able to do.
So, it may be the lowest class I have ever entered but it has the most significance.
Thanks again for your support.
Shelley
Member:
Sunny66

Posted on Saturday, Aug 12, 2006 - 10:43 am:

Sending best wishes for your show today!!! :-)
Member:
Vickiann

Posted on Sunday, Aug 13, 2006 - 9:36 pm:

Winding some Vet-wrap around the bottoms of the stirrup irons will give you better grip. Wouldn't do at all for a hunter class, but maybe okay for what you are describing.
Member:
Sswiley

Posted on Wednesday, Dec 6, 2006 - 9:20 pm:

Just thought I would comment on what I discovered about "leather" boots.
I was complaning about this to a local tack shop and they said that some leather is impregnated with a plastic to make it shinyer and more resilient.
Actually, some very reputable boot companies do this and it is not considered a deterrent.
I dont know about anyone else but I like some grip in my leg.
Member:
Mrose

Posted on Wednesday, Dec 6, 2006 - 10:46 pm:

Shelley - you are kidding me! Plastic in leather boots! Like you, I like (need) some grip.

Have any of you tried that spray on stuff football players spray on their hands and gloves so they can grip the ball better? I wonder if that would help with new boots. I'll have to ask my son what it's called, but I know you can get it at sports equipment stores.
Member:
Sswiley

Posted on Wednesday, Dec 6, 2006 - 11:33 pm:

You know what I did with my slippery boots ???
I put black duct tape on the inside. The ribbed texture of the tape was a big improvement to the boot. It was not as good as my ancient worn out boots but it was good enough to ride in.
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