saddle question

[TXBlkCld]

Is there any molding or mildew on the saddle or straps?

If so, this needs to be removed FIRST!

Wipe off any visible mold/mildew with a dry soft cloth first. (both sides of the straps if evident). Mix equal parts of water and lemon juice and sponge onto the affected areas. Wait a few minutes and then wipe off the excess with a clean dry cloth. Once dry, wipe down again with a clean dry cloth.

If the seat itself is suede, clean any waterspots with a stiff toothbrush or a hard bristled cleaning brush. Set in waterspots can be cleaned with a brown eraser. NOT a pink eraser as it can stain the suede. Usually just a good brushing will bring back the natural color of the suede.

Once you follow the above steps liberally apply Leather Life to the saddle and follow the instructions on the bottle. Leather Life is by FAR the best leather conditioner/cleaner on the market. I used to manage a saddle shop and after using everything on the market, Leather Life quality and effectiveness eclipses them all. We would actually just apply leather life at first and let it set for an hour then take the saddle to the car wash for a good cleaning. After it dried we'd apply another coat of Leather Life and call it good. That stuff is absolutely awesome.

[Brett C]

Leather Life or Extra Virgin olive oil. I know it sounds greasy and gross, but EVO is great for leather. It soaks in, doesn't rot, and it doesn't leave a residue to stain your clothes or attract dust and dirt. Put the saddle in the sun and apply it with either a mist bottle or sponge, depending on what is easier. It will darken the leather drastically at first, but after it sets in it will lighten back up. I don't use anything else on tack anymore. It works on suede too, which is one of the reasons I like it so much. I took a full rough-out Wade hardseat and soaked the whole thing, after it went for an unexpected swim. The leather soaked it right up, and dried without gumming up the nap. The saddle looks great and feels great too.

The extra virgin olive oil is the best IMHO
FOR SURE before you let your wife ride a horse with it, CHECK the RIGGIN . Thats the last place people check & it should be the first. FACT

[Burrito]

What about Bick 1 (cleaner) and Bick 4 (conditioner)? I used these on 2 very dirty saddles and they cleaned up well.

[muley4x4]

Neatsfoot oil will stain clothing boots etc. Even when it appears to dry it can sweat out of the leather. I use saddle butter or soap. Like Pistol said above the oil works better on reigns and other tack. You do not want any oil up your legs. I would have the rigging checked over. I busted a latigo a few years ago. I ended up on a dirt road with the saddle in between my legs. In all honesty I though I was paralyzed from the waist down. I hit so hard on my hip that I had a bruise from my knee to my arm pit. Check it all over every time that you ride!!!!!!

[Graybow]

If its really dry you need a reconditioner. You can maintain with cooking oil. They don't stain like neatsfoot.

[Graybow]

Forgot. Heat the leather with a hairdryer. It will absorb better. Just do a small area and then apply. Repeat till its done. Or, in this heat we have been having, set the saddle in the sun for an hour and apply.

[Pistol]

Did it occur to any of you that Exta Virgin Olive Oil is expensive? Also it and cooking oil will go rancid? <gross> Stick to products made for leather.

[Graybow]

Use cooking oil all the time. Never had a problem with it. My cousin builds saddles and it's what he uses, also.