Leather Saddle Care Tips

Leather saddles are expensive, so keeping them in good condition through regular cleaning and maintenance is vital. Among the many steps necessary to keep a saddle clean is placing it on a saddle stand when not in use to avoid stretching. Saddles should also be kept out of extreme temperatures, and avoid over-cleaning and oiling.

  1. Cleaning Basics

    • Leather saddles should be cleaned regularly, including wipe-downs with a soft cloth and more detailed cleaning. Saddles should be dusted at least a few times a week and cleaned periodically with saddle soap. Avoid bath and shower gels and soaps as they contain oils, grease and fats that can damage saddles by clogging the leather's pores. Cleaning with such products also leaves a sticky surface that attracts dirt. Saddle soap is specially formulated for saddles, although heavy-handed use may also lead to a sticky surface.

    Detailed Cleaning

    • Stirrups and cinches should be removed and cleaned separately from the saddle. Turn the saddle upside down and place it on a feed bag or blanket; then, thoroughly vacuum the sheepskin underside. Use small, unused paint brushes to remove trapped dirt in the saddle skirt, and around the saddle gullet, horn and conchos. Go over the saddle with a clean, wrung-out sponge (water only). Apply saddle soap and rinse off with a clean sponge.

    Conditioning

    • Lightly apply saddle conditioner before the saddle is completely dry on both sides of the leather. Saddles used in dry climates require extra conditioning to keep the leather from drying out. Regular conditioning helps keep the leather soft and pliable. Saddles that are going to be stored require a periodic light coat of conditioner; if they are unused, they will dry out over time.

    Oiling

    • Leather saddles do not need frequent oiling; two or three times per year is sufficient unless the saddle gets soaked in water. Water removes the oil from leather, so oil your saddle if it gets caught in the rain. How much oiling a saddle requires depends on the saddle's condition and the type of riding it is used for. Using too much can stain clothing and over-soak the leather, causing it to become weak and stretchy. The underside of the stirrup fenders do not require oiling; they are made of rough leather, which absorbs oil very fast. Rawhide parts also do not need oiling.