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Dry Tack:S; What do I do?
Topic Started: Sep 13 2007, 03:29 PM (505 Views)
Chelsea
Weanling
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I recently bought a saddle for my horse. I have used it about 20 times now since my horse can't be ridden for awhile.

My saddle is brand new and it is dry as a bone!
I cleaning it and moustirze it everytime I use it. "
I have leather Balm.[It works but as soon as i use it, it goes dry again]
I use Mink Oil [But when I touch it it goes all white]
I went to the tack store and asked what to do and they told me and i did it and NOTHING HELPED!
My saddle is so dry that when u touch it or stroke your finger across it is goes greyish White.

Please help me in what to do. My saddle needs you! :,(
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seal harbor
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Administrator
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Sounds as though the wax coating is still on it.

I would clean it well - then oil it with some specific leather oil. I like Hydrophane. I oil a new saddle with many light coats of oil until it won't take it anymore. Then I use the saddle and rarely oil it again, just normal cleaning.

When I would do saddles for people it took me about a quart of oil and applying many light coats and allowing it to sit, then doing it again and allowing it to sit and absorb the oil.
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Ponybreeder
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Shunnnnn the unbeliever. Shunnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn.
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Seal's post is right on. I personally prefer Effax Leddersoft, but the process is the same and either will work well.
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Petstorejunkie
Weanling
[ * ]
I once was a naughty equestrienne and lost my courbette bridle in a closet. When i found it, it was green and stiff... nothing like it's origional form.
What worked for me was I called Courbette (the maker of my bridle) and asked THEM what i should do.
In my case it was soak it in alcohol for 24 hours, wipe down with a specific leather cleaner, and then massage it with a particular oil until it felt right again.

In your case it sounds like one or a comination of both. Your saddle could be made of crummy leather, or not leather at all.... I do not know what you own, so i cannot make that distinction for you. you could have excessive buildup from all the different products you have put on it.
Find your saddle manufactures contact info and ask them... they will know better than the gals at the tack store.
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Chelsea
Weanling
[ * ]
I own the Excelle Access Saddle

http://www.bahrsaddlery.com/sb-products.as...=955&category=4
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PaintedPony
Schooling
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From what I understand, Exselle is the company that bought out Crosby?? Someone help me if I'm wrong.

I looked at this saddle, it's very nice.

Did your saddle come from a company that shipped it you?

I would be careful using oil, as I read an article that said leather should only be oiled at certain times and ONLY the underside of the leather.

I'll see if I can find that article again (probably not), but you might call the company that made the saddle (Exselle) or the company you bought it from.

I do agree that it is likely still waxed.
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HJ049
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Thomas H. Cruise!
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If it is a Exselle, it probably is the wax. At the tack shop I work at all the Exselle bridles that came in were covered in the wax protectant. We never got in a saddle but I'd imagine they'd have wax too.
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Chelsea
Weanling
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OKay so if it has Wax on it still. What kind of cleaning aid should I use to get it off?
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cindeye
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Off visiting Candy Cave, be right back.
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Plain glycerine and warm water with a good soft sponge. Get the sponge wet and wring it out until you can barely feel the water in it. Then drag it across the glycerine bar until the sponge is sticky. Rub, Rub, Rub, Rub, Rub, Rub, Rub, Rub, Rub, Rub, Rub, Rub. Rinse sponge, Repeat.

After you think you've got all the wax off, let the saddle dry for a few hours. Repeat the entire process.

Then, and only then, warm some oil (I prefer Neatsfoot over Hydrophane) and get a 1" paint brush. Brush the warm oil very thinly over the entire saddle inside and out. Repeat, repeat, repeat, repeat, repeat, repeat, repeat, repeat, repeat until the saddle won't absorb any more oil. Repeat the oiling process over again the next day.

Have fun!
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jonquilTN
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We're on a bridge, Chaaaaaaaaarlie!
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Ditto what cindeye said but I change one thing slightly:

I take a hot towl fresh out off the dryer and rub that wax off. Rub like crazy. and keep towel as hot as possible.

I then clean well with any standard saddle cleaner.


Paint on neatsfoot oil with brush and RUB IN with your bare hands. Yup, it's messy. Lay towels or something underneath you if doing this at home in house.

Roll all your flaps gently and use enough oil that it needs to soak in overnight.

If there is excess oil in AM, use a towl to rub off extra.

Finish with Belvoir (the #2 Belvoir) I really think this final step helps "seal" ity all and creates a gorgeous patina.

I used to work at a tack shop and reconditioned saddles. I brought a Hermes back to life that had been in a flood! The pics and story of it were the ad for Leather Therapy products. (shhhh don't tell them I used other stuff on it too!)

Anyway- reconditioning saddles and starting the new ones off right was my "calling" at that tack shop. Had many happy, happy customers. :)


As others have said above, you prob will not need to oil for a very long time after this. I know my tack as lasted beautifully by following above steps and then keeping it clean with Belvoir.

Hope that helps!

-JTN
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