11 oz. Vaquero Rawhide Cream®

11 oz jars    311 g     $2.36/oz

VAQUERO RAWHIDE CREAM® — made especially to clean and soften fine rawhide tack,  VAQUERO RAWHIDE CREAM® restores and protects the integrity of rawhide tack from water, wear and sun.

VAQUERO RAWHIDE CREAM® is still handmade by the Holes family, with the original 1976 recipe of second-generation, expert saddle maker Gerald Ray Holes.

Second-Generation Saddle Maker Gerald Ray Holes created Vaquero Rawhide Cream® in the 1970s to clean, soften, and preserve rawhide reins, bosals, reatas, hondos, and other rawhide buckaroo gear.

Even though it's our newest leather care product, (Saddle Butter® was created by Ray Holes in 1936,) Vaquero Rawhide Cream® is a top seller worldwide. Leather lovers have found a growing list of uses for this refined, light leather and rawhide dressing. It's perfect to clean, preserve and condition: rawhide tack, saddle strings, Western, English and Paso Fino saddles, car seats, brief cases, purses, and exotic leather boots.

Cleaning Rawhide Reins with VAQUERO RAWHIDE CREAM®

• Use a soft brush to remove buildup of dirt, dried sweat, hair, etc.
• Lather on a light coat of Vaquero Rawhide Cream® with a little warm water. (Water temperature: if you can put your hand in the water, it's safe for cleaning rawhide. Up to 100 degrees Fahrenheit.)
• Don't immerse the rawhide in water.
• Where the rawhide braid crosses, use a soft brush (tooth brush or nail brush) to work out the dirt.
• Rinse off with warm water.
• Wipe dry with a towel.
• Hang reins and let rawhide air dry in the shade.
• Do not dry rawhide in the sun or with direct heat.

Conditioning with Vaquero Rawhide Cream®

• After rawhide is dry, apply a light coat of Vaquero Rawhide Cream® with a soft cloth, sheep skin swatch or with your hand.
• Using your hand to apply Vaquero Rawhide Cream® works well. The warmth of your hand helps distribute and penetrate the rawhide cream.

Really, Really Important:  It's best to use a light coat of Vaquero Rawhide Cream® and add more later, if needed. It's not possible to tell how much of this rich dressing is being absorbed until the next day.

• Let reins hang straight overnight. 

• Next day: Work in any excess conditioner with your hands, then buff with a soft, clean cloth or sheep skin swatch to remove any conditioner that isn't absorbed into rawhide.
• Apply more light coats of Vaquero Rawhide Cream® until reins are the softness you want.

Everyday Maintenance of Rawhide Reins

Nothing will get rawhide reins perfectly clean.

• After each ride, gently wipe off the buildup of dirt/sweat/hair/etc. with a soft cloth.  
• If there is visible dirt and sweat, you can use warm water and a light lather of Vaquero Rawhide Cream® to clean — just be sure to let the rawhide slowly dry out of the sun after cleaning.
• Apply a light coat of Vaquero Rawhide Cream® after cleaning to replenish and condition the rawhide.

Print Instructions: How to Clean and Condition Reins with Vaquero Rawhide Cream®

What People are Saying about VAQUERO RAWHIDE CREAM®

I have some very old 5mm leather that this worked great on! felt a difference almost immediately - Kaylie

Used this on an old pair of reins given to me recently - two applications and they are now buttery soft. Also, tried the saddle butter on my DP Saddle.... looks new again! -Susan