Leather Care 101
Your saddle is an investment. With proper care, a well made saddle should last you at least 10 – 15 years. Here are a few simple steps that we recommend to prolong the life of your saddle.
• Your saddle should be given a complete wipe-down every time it is used. Surface dirt can be removed with a clean cloth slightly moistened with warm water.
• Clean your saddle thoroughly with a glycerin saddle soap on a weekly basis. Recommended products: Leather New, Epona Bar in a Jar, or any plain glycerin bar.
• Allow the saddle to dry at normal room temperature, never in the sun or under intense heat. Glycerin soap, while necessary to clean your saddle, removes essential oils from the hide. Always apply a leather conditioner after cleaning your saddle. At Equus Now! our favorite leather conditioners are Passier Lederbalsam, Akene Conditioner, and Effax Leder Combi. Once the leather has been cleaned and conditioned, let it dry completely. Then buff it to a shine with a clean cloth.
• DO NOT OVER APPLY CONDITIONERS AND OILS! Leather can only absorb so much before a sticky build up will clog the leather’s pores. Excess conditioners and oils, particularly those of poor quality, can also degrade stitching.
For new saddles, we recommend applying several coats of oil to protect and soften the leather. Our favorite oil is Hydrophane which is a thin oil that soaks in quickly and will not leave a greasy residue. Hydrophane is also available in a darkening oil. Apply the oil to both sides of the leather. Do not oil your stirrup leathers or the saddle’s billets, as this can lead to excessive stretching. After the initial break in process, we recommend oiling your saddle every 3 – 4 months.
Caring for your bridle and other strap goods: Bridles should be cared for in a similar manner. After each ride, wipe down your bridle with a clean, damp cloth. Make sure your bit is completely clean. On a weekly or semi-weekly basis, completely dismantle your bridle. Soak your bit in warm water with a mild soap like Ivory. Wipe down all of the pieces of leather then use a glycerin soap to clean the bridle. Allow the pieces to dry and then condition them before reassembling your bridle. We recommend Passier Lederbalsam as well as their NEW Passier Bridle Cleaner.
For new bridles, we do not recommend dipping your strap goods in oil. Once a common practice, this method of over-saturation has been the demise of many a well-made bridle! Apply one or two coats of an oil such as Hydrophane and with regular cleaning and conditioning, your bridle will be soft and supple in no time. Stay away from Neatsfoot Oil Compound. These products tend to prematurely wear through stitching and most manufacturers strongly oppose the use of it. Some even go so far as to not warranty strap goods that have come in contact with Neatsfoot Oil Compound.
With regular care, your leather goods will look good and remain functional for years to come. All recommended leather care products are regularly stocked at Equus Now!
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