A good-quality, well-made saddle can last your lifetime if you follow a few simple rules
Keep It Clean
Regular cleaning is paramount. Use water-based products designed to clean and condition the leather. Ideally, you would clean tack after every ride, but that’s not practical for most people. If you at least wipe down all leather with a clean cloth each time you use it, this will remove sweat and dirt that can irritate your horse’s skin and damage the leather. Then make a point to clean it thoroughly every few rides. Whether you use a sponge or cloth to clean tack, use plenty of elbow grease, but as little water as possible.
In addition, use a leather conditioner periodically for deep conditioning, even if you clean tack frequently. A conditioner will help restore softness and keep the leather pliable, which will add to its life.
Inspect your saddle carefully each time you clean it so you can have any necessary repairs made in a timely manner. Pay attention to places where leather and hardware touch, and where leather is bent back over itself. Look for cracks, tears or torn stitching.
Wendy Eames also provides a saddle repair service. If your saddle needs more attention than you are able to give it with general cleaning and conditioning, get in touch today!
Store It Right
A mistake many people make after riding is placing a still-damp saddle cloth on top of their saddle. Salt from the sweat can damage the leather, so be sure your saddle cloth is allowed to air dry away from the saddle.
A climate-controlled environment is best for tack, since temperature extremes — including humidity and extremely dry heat — take a toll on leather. Dry heat will make leather brittle, while humidity can cause it to mould and mildew. If you end up with mouldy leather, make sure you clean it outside to avoid spreading spores. Wipe off mould with a damp cloth, which should be soaked in boiling water with disinfectant if you plan to use it again, then treat the tack with a leather-specific mould inhibitor, and finally condition the leather. Check that stitching hasn’t rotted
If you aren’t going to be using your saddle for a while, don’t store it in a plastic bag or plastic trunk. Leather needs to “breathe” and can “sweat” in an airtight container. And it goes without saying that your saddle should always be clean and thoroughly dry before you store it away.