Fooled by clear skies, you left your slickers behind when you packed lunch and headed out. Now you're only halfway home and a steady drizzle soaks everything in sight. As your trail companion gripes about her saturated saddle and soggy reins your mood turns as dark as the sky. Another day, you're in the ring when the heavens open up but the committee declares the show must go on. Or the track posts sloppy conditions and the grooms back in the shed rows get ready to deal with post-race gritty grunge.
Many horsemen believe wet leather is ruined leather.
That's not quite accurate. Neglected wet leather may be ruined. But if you take action while the leather is still damp, you can head off fiber damage and protect your equipment investment. At the microscopic level, leather is made up of a tangle of fibers resembling a pad of steel wool. These fibers are held together with protein bonds.