Saddle oiling?

Question

best directions for best results when oiling a saddle with neatsfoot oil- real leather saddle

please post directions

TAHNX!!

Answer 1

put the oil on the rag put the rag on the saddle and wipe it down. Of course there are a few little things that you could do like warm up the oil in the winter time or in the summer leave out in the sun. It makes it easier to oil a saddle when it is free of dust and dirt. And you should be aware that a light brown saddle will darken considerably when oil is put on it, unlike some of the other glycerin cleaners which will help it retain its light color. But for the most part we horse folk tend to make things more difficult than it is.

Just put some oil on it and wipe it down.

Answer 2

if the saddle is new or not worn in yet it would be a good idea to rub it with a brush (to get all the wax off) this will make it softer .trust me it works . to oil it just use a sponge and make sure you heat up the oil in the microwave ,this will help the leather absorb it more and then just rub it over it doesn't matter how much u put on but the more you use the longer it will take to dry.  : )

Answer 3

I use a soft kitchen sponge and a rag.  I basically just soak the sponge and rub it all over the saddle.  Soaking the sponge lets all the oil go to the small areas you can't really clean (like the patterns on a western saddle).  Then I take the rag and rub the oil in evenly.  I will do this for a while and then get a new rag to soak up a bit of the oil.  English saddles are easy, but if you have a new western, you will need to set the stirrups so they aren't stiff.  Oil them a lot (regular kitchen oils work fine for this) and then set them (put them in the angle you would twist them in while riding) with a string or broom handle.

Answer 4

IF you must use neatsfoot oil, don't use compound neatsfoot oil.  I would thoroughly clean your saddle with glycerin FIRST, make sure that all the liquid is absorbed, but not dry, THEN use a light coat of neatsfoot oil.  IF you use a LOT of OIL the leather will darken and STRETCH.  The cheaper the leather the MORE it will stretch, BTW.  

I make a saddle compound in my blender that I've used now for nearly 3 decades and only 10% of that compound is OIL.  That should give you a pretty good ratio of oil to glycerin and other additives.

Answer 5

Put the oil on a cloth an wipe it on, do the underneath first and make sure you run it into all the creases and folds. Don't use too much as it will rot the stitching.  beware of using neatsfoot oil on light coloured leather ( unless you want it to darken). Once you've wiped it all over leave it to soak in.

Note - if you decide to do this in your living room make sure you put the lid on the can or some bright spark is certain to knock it over ! - Guess who needed a new carpet !

Answer 6

Don't soak it too much otherwise the leather will (not sure if right word) flood? and store the oil and risk rotting the stitching.

I've used a small hoof oil brush on my so I can move it around and wait for it to soak in, and have always used my hands to feel how dry/ rough the leather feels so I get an idea of the amount that needs applying.

Do it a small amount at a time, let it soak in full and try and flex it so it accounts for it in the movement too as this will soften even more.  So you dont get covered in the stuff too, I start with the under flaps, then the girth straps, and then the seat and top leg flaps.  Once you've done all these you can then do the underside and leave it to dry.

Hope this helps - good luck

K

Answer 7

what i do is get a soft cloth and or a paint brush (clean duh!) and did it in the oil. if you use a cloth wring it out a little bit first. then just go nuts and have fun oiling!