Thanks for all the Suggestions!

I was confused about the oiling thing, I wasn't sure what oiling the skin side would do the hair on the reverse side. It never crossed my mind that they thought I might apply oil to the hair side, even to a novice like me that would be an obvious no-no, I was just talking about exposed hide side.

So if I am stretching it I would re-wet the hide or can I do that dry too?

Thanks again!