Saddle cleaning issue?

[rolypolypony]

During the winter, I started riding again in the saddle I had as a teen, and I noticed that the saddle was rubbing off on my breeches - both the seat and a bit on the thigh. I thought maybe it was because the saddle hadn't been used for like 12 years (though I kept up w/ cleaning and oiling it during that time!), but now like 6 months later, it's

Comments

[xpioti]

It sounds like you're getting dirt and conditioner on your breeches, which is nothing to worry about. Check with your local tackshop to see if there are any professional leatherworkers in the area, they're The Best resource to explain leather care for your area. (I use Bick 1 and Bick 4 on my saddle, because that's what a local leatherworker recommended.)

[phoenix_rose_up]

I'd agree with this...

a poster over on EMG suggested this regiment for making sure your tack is debris/grime/icky sticky free after cleaning is this:

"I use an abrasive sponge on my tack - the kind that will not scratch Teflon surfaces - they are usually white on a sponge backing. I moisten it a very little, rub it on the glycerine soap and clean away. It gets the really nasty stuff off without a lot of effort and a lot of water. Then I go over the leather with the clean damp sponge (plain one) to remove any residue. It's the residue that makes your tack sticky. When you wash your face, you rinse after cleansing, right? Works the same with leather except you don't need a lot of water. My tack is in great shape - and my "newest" saddle is 20 years old; I have many bridles much older than that that have not suffered with my tack cleaning regimen! Just don't rub too hard or use a lot of water."

[rolypolypony]

Fantastic! Thank you for this!

[phoenix_rose_up]

your welcome :) hope it helps!

[emidala]

If you've been oiling it without riding in it for twelve years, chances are that the leather can't absorb any more oil, and is "bleeding" the excess mixed with dirt onto your breeches. Personally, I would never oil a saddle (or boots, or a bridle for that matter) as it seems to do more damage than good - perhaps you can take your saddle to a tackshop to get it professionally cleaned? It's almost impossible to get rid of oil build-up.

[rolypolypony]

(I said "oil" but really mean conditioner - something like the passier stuff, but not quite! But thank you for the tip, as I was wondering about whether I should add oil to my regimen!)

[harnessphoto]

It sounds like you're over conditioning. Leave the saddle alone and let it absorb all the stuff you've rubbed on there. You can buy a leather stripping type of cleaner to remove all that crap and actually get the saddle CLEAN.