Should you oil a new saddle?

BRAND NEW: Every new Tucker saddle has been oiled and then finished with a protective finish, which means you don't need to oil it for about six months. If you're riding a lot in dry or variable weather conditions, you should oil it sooner. Oil with the best oils and leather conditioners available to you.

Should you condition a new saddle?

Caring for New Leather

For the first several weeks of use, new saddles, bridles, and other leather goods should only be conditioned, not cleaned. You should still wipe the dust from your tack after each ride during this period.

What oil do you use on a new saddle?

What kind of oil do you use on a leather saddle? Neatsfoot oil, mink oil, or olive oil are excellent choices for oiling a saddle. Always follow your manufacturer's instructions about oiling, especially for a new saddle.

How do you oil a new leather saddle?

What can I do with a brand new saddle?

The best way to break in a new saddle is to spend hours in it. Avoid using a heavy pad, ride for 20 to 30 minutes, then stop, get off, take the saddle off, and see if there are any hot spots on the horse's back, says Covey.

Tack Tip: Oiling a New Saddle

How do you clean a brand new saddle?

Ideally, you should wipe your tack down with a damp cloth after each ride. This will not only keep your tack cleaner, it will also allow early detection of any problems, like loose stitching or excessive wear. Do pay attention to your girth billets and the stitching that holds them to the nylon webbing.

How often should I oil tack?

A very light coat of oil two or three times a year is usually enough, unless your tack gets soaked with sweat, water or gets caught in a storm, then you might need another coat applied to it.

Should you use olive oil on leather?

Using olive oil on leather can restore colour and repair small scratches. This works on shoes, couches, chairs and other items. The process is the same as with wooden furniture, but just use straight olive oil – no lemon needed! Pour some oil onto a cloth and rub into the leather in a circular motion.

How do you care for a new Western saddle?

For a new saddle, clean regularly and thoroughly until the leather starts feel broken-in. Note: don't clean your suede seat or rough-out training saddle with soap and water! Glycerine soap should be used on the smooth side of leather only: it will stain suede and destroy the nap. Condition it.

How long does it take to break in a new saddle?

Brooks saddles are made of natural leather and vary in thickness which means that every saddle has a slightly different “break-in” period. In general, however, most people say that at least 400km (248miles) are needed to see results.

How do you oil a new English saddle?

Once you have properly cleaned your saddle, gently apply a light coat of oil to the grain (smooth or outward facing) side of the saddle. You can use a brush or a rag to very lightly apply the oil. Do not let the oil pool or build up on the leather. This will oversaturate it and ruin the leather.

How do you condition a new English saddle?

Lederbalsams and other creams are great for conditioning your new saddle and for creating a bit of stickiness. They can also be used on a daily basis, and seem to soak much quicker than oils. You may need to repeat this process of coating with a cream every few hours when you are at the barn.

Can you over condition a saddle?

Using too much conditioner on your saddle can penetrate through to the padding or the tree which can cause damage over time. Use leather conditioner sparingly and be sure to follow the directions on the label for guidance from the manufacturer.

How do you condition saddle leather?

Allow the saddle to dry before applying any oil/balm/conditioner. (Note that if your saddle is adjustable you do not have to remove the gullet before cleaning the saddle!) Once the saddle is dry you can begin applying leather balm to the saddle. Use a dry tack sponge to apply balm in light layers.

Is oil bad for leather?

Body oils usually contain natural bacteria that is bad for leather and need to be cleaned, as these bacteria will break down surfaces over time. Oils also attract dirt, which is then ground into the leather's surface or (if the leather is treated) they act abrasively on the surface.

Is Vaseline good for leather?

You don't need fancy leather moisturizer to take care of your favourite leather jacket. Petroleum jelly does the job just as well. Apply, rub it in, wipe off the excess, and you're ready to go.

Is neatsfoot oil bad for leather?

In the long run, neatsfoot oil is prone to oxidising, causing leather to crack and deteriorate. As such, it's wise to avoid using it on items that you've invested heavily in and plan on keeping for many years, like leather jackets and wallets.

What do you do with a brand new bridle?

Before you use a new leather bridle for the first time, make sure you oil it thoroughly. Oiling tack makes it supple and prevents it from drying out and cracking or breaking during use. After an initial cleaning, oil it on a regular basis for as long as you own it.

How do you treat new leather bridles?

Keep leather products clean and moisturised after every use. Wipe off any built up dirt or sweat with a damp sponge then condition. Allow to dry. Apply a light coat of leather cream or balm to keep your bridlewear looking and feeling good as new.

How do you soften a stiff saddle?

Too much oil can break down the fibers. You need to strike a balance, so the leather is pliable. If there's any stiffness or brittleness, it needs more oil or some kind of conditioner. Then, after the leather is pliable again, you can go apply R.M. Williams Saddle Dressing or saddle butter, to seal it and protect it.

How long does a horse saddle last?

A high-quality Western horse saddle can easily last 25 years, but you'll be lucky to get five good years from a cheap saddle. Saddles will start to show signs of aging and can be uncomfortable for horses relatively quickly when you don't take care of them.

Should you oil stirrup leathers?

The leathers wear better and don't need oil. It should be obvious that riders need to switch their stirrup leathers about monthly. Even if you use a mounting block of some type and don't overstrain your left leather that way, most of us still put more weight on one side.