Leather is a material that softens naturally with repeated use and a little care. Leather gardening gloves are most often made with cowhide, deerskin, or goatskin, with goatskin as the softest. Keeping your leather gloves clean and conditioned with mink oil or another mild lubricant will help keep them pliable. Old unused leather can become hard and cracked. If this is the case, apply small amounts of mink or coconut oil or work vaseline into the gloves to recondition them.