My saddle is Drying out. . .?

Question

Both my english and western saddles seem like they are really drying out. I condition them often with leather new but it doesn't seem to do anything. Any suggestions for how to get them "hydrated" again.

Answer 1

I buy, sell and collect antique and vintage tack.

My hands down favorite product for putting the life back into old, dry or abused or neglected leather is  Dr. Jacksons Hide Rejuvenator .

You can buy it through Tandy Leather company .

Here is a link:

http://www.tandyleatherfactory.com/produ...

Once you use it, you won't use anything else.

Fantastic stuff!

Answer 2

Put sum olive oil on them, and don't forget the bridal leather either.

:)

Answer 3

I have heard that conditioning too often, or even cleaning too often, will do this to your saddle. If you do it more than once a month, I would try and stop doing it as often. I only clean my tack for a show, and just wipe the dust or dirt off with a clean towel if I am not showing. I would oil your saddle with a clear oiler, so it can rehydrate. But do not do this too often! Think of it like washing your favorite soft pair of pj's. If you wash them multiple times a day, then they are more likely to lose its softness and waste water and soap. Thats how it is with saddles, so just wash when you need it. When you do oil it, oil the WHOLE saddle (except for the suede) otherwise the oil could have an effect on the color. I would go to your closest tack and feed store and ask for an oil that will not color your saddle and will not dehydrate it, for some oils have been known to ocassionally do this.

Good luck and hope this helps,

HJB

Answer 4

Hit them first with glycerin (Soap from a bar) clean thoroughly then use olive oil.  Neatsfoot oil will turn your saddles orange, olive oil will turn it red.  ALL saddles change colour with age if properly maintained.

I use a special concoction I got from an old saddle maker decades ago.

Answer 5

I have bought used dried out saddles and brought them back. First wash it real good with saddle soap. Then rinse it again with water getting all the soap washed out. Let the saddle dry out. Then get Fiebings spray saddle oil or an oil that is similar. Spray the rough sides of the saddle leather and the smooth sides where you can't spray the rough sides.  Once done spraying let the oil soak in. If it still feels dry or soaks in real fast, spray again. When the oil has soaked in wipe away any excess oil. Let the saddle sit over night and then you can apply a conditioner. If you live in a dry climate you should do this about every 6 months or once a year in a humid climate. Always make sure you get all of the saddle soap off of the leather whenever you clean it.

Answer 6

dont use so much water when you sre cleaning them. Also they have many conditioners at http://www.doversaddlery.com

Answer 7

Do not store saddle in plastic or other non-porous covers.

Allow a wet or damp saddle to air-dry naturally away from any other source of heat. Apply a little Bick 4 leather conditioner when the saddle is nearly dry to restore flexibility. Condition thoroughly with Bick 4 when the saddle is completely dried.

To prevent mildew, protect the saddle from excessive humidity. In a dry environment, regularly condition the leather to prevent the saddle from drying out and cracking.

Do not use waxes, silicone or other leather preparations that impair the ability of the leather to "breathe".

Dubbins and greases are bad as they seal the pores and are greasy, thus picking up additional dirt and dust and slows drying time.

Never use caustic household chemicals to clean leather. Avoid leather preparations that contain alcohol, turpentine, or mineral spirits. We recommend Bick 1 as it is pH balanced to be compatible with leather.

Do not use mink oil or other animal fats. They will darken leather. Animal fat can also turn rancid, causing the stitching and leather to rot.

Answer 8

Oil! Not saddle soap! Use a Non-darkening oil. Then wipe all over, let sit for about a 1/2 hour, then wipe again. I would repeat a good handful of times.

***edit*****

Here is the Non darkening one. I use these. If you get a Non Darkening it will NOT darken your saddle!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

http://www.jeffersequine.com/ssc/product...

Answer 9

You should get some leather cleaner and rub it on the leather. It should keep it hydrated.

Answer 10

try using another type of conditioner.

Answer 11

get a none color oil and oil it like three times with 1 hour interveils

Answer 12

Leather new is more of a cleaner than conditioner.  You can oil the saddles rough side (under side) with olive oil or neatsfoot oil, but neatsfoot is likely to darken leather and might rot the stitches.  My favorite leather conditioner is Harness Honey.  It is available from harness makers usually or you can search it on line and order it.  It soaks in and really brings the suppleness back to the leather.