Clean an English Leather Saddle

Keeping a leather saddle clean and moisturized is a vital part of caring for your tack. A clean saddle not only looks better, but will last longer and better resist environmental damage. Clean your saddle after every ride and use a proper conditioner to keep the leather from getting brittle and deteriorating. That way, you will get the best performance from your saddle for as long as you have it.

Steps

Cleaning Your Saddle

  1. Stabilize your saddle. Put your saddle on a sawhorse, saddle rack, or something similar to hold it up while you clean it. This keeps your saddle stable and easy to adjust while you clean.
    • Once your saddle is stable, remove any add-ons such as stirrups. These should be cleaned separately.
  2. Dust your saddle. Getting loose dirt off before wetting your saddle makes the rest of the cleaning faster and easier. Use a dry cloth to remove any loose dirt and dust before wetting your saddle.
    • Avoid grinding dirt into the saddle while dusting. Use a gentle hand to swipe over the surface of the saddle.
    • Be sure to use a clean cloth or soft-bristled saddle brush with nothing on it.
  3. Prepare a lather. Dip a double-sided kitchen sponge into a bucket of warm water. Gently wring it out and lather it up with saddle soap.
    • Be sure the sponge is damp enough to create your lather, but not dripping wet. Excess water may cause the leather to dry slowly and could lead to warping or distortion.
    • You can also use a loofah glove to apply and lather the saddle soap. Loofah gloves make cleaning stirrups and reins easier.
  4. Soap your saddle. Place the soaped sponge on the saddle and rub vigorously in small circular motions. Cover the entire smooth leather surface of the saddle, including the underside and beneath flaps.[1]
    • Avoid suede, specialty leathers, or rough areas of the saddle.
    • Rinse out your sponge and re-lather it with soap any time the sponge starts to dry or becomes too dirty.
  5. Rinse the saddle. Use a clean, damp sponge or a damp towel to wipe off any excess soap. Rinse the sponge or towel and repeat until all soap residue is gone .
    • Pay close attention to folds and seams on your saddle. Use a toothbrush or cotton swab to remove soap residue from tight areas.
  6. Dry your saddle. Use a dry towel to wipe away any excess water. Then, allow your saddle to dry naturally before conditioning.
    • Keep your saddle out of direct sunlight while it drys, and do not apply any direct heat such as a blow dryer.
    • Let your saddle dry most of the way before conditioning, but try to condition before it is completely dry. You do not want your saddle to feel moist when you condition, but it should still be cool to the touch.

Conditioning Your Saddle

  1. Condition the smooth leather. Use a soft towel to apply a light layer of conditioner or oil over the entirety of the saddle. Allow the conditioner to absorb into the saddle for one hour.[2]
    • Use a purpose-made leather conditioning cream or neatsfoot oil to condition the saddle. Avoid products that are petroleum-based, as they could dry out the leather.
    • Re-apply oil or cream to your towel as necessary to ensure even coverage. Uneven coverage may cause discoloration.
  2. Condition any rawhide areas. If your saddle has any rawhide elements, condition them separately. Use a conditioning cream meant especially for rawhide.
    • If you are unsure of what conditioner to use on each part of your saddle, it's best to ask someone at your barn or the tack store.
    • Using the wrong conditioner can cause your saddle to dry out or become deteriorated, distorted, or discolored.
  3. Remove excess conditioner. Use a soft, dry towel to remove any excess oil or cream. Then, buff your saddle with a smooth cloth to give it a nice finish.
    • Once your saddle has been buffed, it is clean and ready for use.

Preparing Your Supplies and Cleaning Schedule

  1. Decide if it is time to clean your saddle. How often you need to clean your saddle will depend on how often you ride, as well as the type of riding you do. Make sure your saddle is getting cleaned regularly, but not so much that it dries out or damages the leather.
    • If you ride daily, you may need to clean your saddle every two to three months.
    • If you ride once a week or less, your saddle may only require cleaning twice a year.
    • If you ride in environments where the saddle is frequently exposed to dirt, mud, salt, or sweat, you will want to clean your saddle whenever it gets noticeably dirty or starts to feel brittle.
    • If you are about to store your saddle for a long stretch, such as a full season, clean and condition it before you store.
  2. Check with the manufacturer. Every leather is a little different, and saddles differ from maker to maker. That is why it is a good idea to check with your saddle's manufacturer to see what they recommend for your particular saddle.[3]
    • Check any printed materials that your manufacturer may have provided to look for recommended products, as well as products that might damage the leather.
    • If you are unsure about a product, call the manufacturer directly to ask, “Will this damage your leather saddles?”
  3. Gather your supplies. Your saddle should be conditioned soon after it is cleaned. Make sure you have everything you need to fully clean and moisturize your saddle. You will need:
    • A bucket of water
    • Towels
    • Sponges
    • A bristle brush
    • Saddle soap
    • Leather Cleaner
    • Leather conditioner or neatsfoot oil

Tips

  • Old toothbrushes are great for scrubbing hard to clean areas of the saddle, such as where the cantle meets the panel, or underneath the skirt.
  • Even if it just includes quickly brushing off dirt and wiping off sweat, you should clean your saddle at least minimally after every single use.
  • Don't use one brush to both clean your saddle and groom your horse.
  • Pre-treat saddles made of suede and specialty leathers with a waterproofing and stain-preventing spray before you ride in them.
  • If you apply the conditioner/oil while the leather is still slightly damp, the leather will absorb it better.

Warnings

  • Do not put leather dressing or neatsfoot oil on synthetic saddles, because they will rot.
  • Overusing neatsfoot oil can cause stitching to rot. Use oil only once or twice a year, and try leather conditioning cream in between oil application.

Related Articles

References

  1. ↑ http://stablemanagement.com/article/tips-cleaning-up-tack-2961
  2. ↑ http://www.horsechannel.com/horse-keeping/tack-cleaning-tips.aspx
  3. ↑ http://www.chronofhorse.com/article/taking-care-your-tack-doesnt-have-be-tough

Quick Summary

Retrieved from "https://kipkis.com/index.php?title=Clean_an_English_Leather_Saddle&oldid=309476"