Leather Care
How to Clean and Condition a Leather Saddle (Step by Step)
Clean leather lasts decades. Follow this routine to clean, condition and store your saddle and bridle so the leather stays supple and strong.
By the Indus Saddlery team · · 6 min read
Genuine leather is skin, and like skin it needs to be kept clean and moisturised. Sweat, dirt and horse hair draw oils out of the leather and hold moisture against it, which leads to cracking, stiffness and eventually rotten stitching. A few minutes after each ride and a proper clean every few weeks will keep a quality saddle safe and supple for decades.
What you need
- Two sponges or soft cloths (one for cleaning, one for conditioning)
- Glycerine saddle soap or a pH-balanced leather cleaner
- A quality leather conditioner
- A soft brush or old toothbrush for tooling and stitching
- A clean, dry buffing cloth
- A bucket of lukewarm water
Our Saddlery Leather Care Kit puts conditioner, glycerine soap, an applicator sponge and a buffing cloth in one box.
After every ride: the two-minute wipe
Wipe sweat and dirt off the seat, flaps, fenders and the underside of the skirts or panels with a barely damp sponge. Pay attention to anything that touched the horse: the girth or cinch, billets and the bit end of the bridle. Let the tack air dry before you put it away.
How to deep clean a leather saddle
- Strip it down. Remove stirrups, leathers or fenders you can take off, the girth or cinch, and any pad.
- Brush off loose dirt. Use a dry brush on the seat, tooling and stitching.
- Dampen, don't soak. Wet your sponge and wring it out until it is almost dry. Too much water is the most common way leather gets damaged.
- Work up a lather. Rub the damp sponge over the saddle soap and clean the leather in small circles, one section at a time. Use the toothbrush in tooling and along seams.
- Wipe clean. Take off any remaining lather with a clean, barely damp cloth so soap does not dry on the surface.
- Let it dry. Leave the saddle to dry naturally at room temperature. Never dry leather next to a heater, in direct sun or with a hair dryer.
How to condition leather tack
- Test the conditioner on a hidden area first, as some products darken leather.
- Apply a thin layer with a sponge or your hands, working it into the flesh side (the rough underside) where the leather absorbs it best.
- Give it 15 to 30 minutes to soak in.
- Buff off any excess with a dry cloth. The leather should feel supple, not sticky or greasy.
How often should you clean and condition?
| Task | How often |
|---|---|
| Wipe off sweat and dirt | After every ride |
| Deep clean with saddle soap | Every 2 – 4 weeks with regular riding |
| Condition | Every 1 – 3 months, or when leather looks dry |
| Check stitching, billets and keepers | Every deep clean |
Mistakes that ruin good leather
- Soaking leather or submerging it in water
- Using household cleaners, dish soap or baby wipes that strip natural oils
- Drying tack with heat
- Storing a saddle in a damp tack room, which invites mold
- Storing a saddle under a plastic cover that traps moisture; use a breathable cover instead
Storing your saddle
Store saddles on a rack that supports the full length of the panels or bars, in a cool, dry, ventilated room. Hang bridles on a rounded bridle rack so the crownpiece keeps its shape. If you are breaking in a new saddle, our guide to breaking in a new leather saddle covers the first few weeks.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best thing to clean a leather saddle with?
Use a glycerine saddle soap or a pH-balanced leather cleaner with a barely damp sponge. Avoid household cleaners and dish soap, which strip the leather's natural oils.
How often should I condition my saddle?
Every one to three months with regular riding, or whenever the leather looks dry or feels stiff. Over-conditioning can soften leather too much and weaken stitching.
Can I use olive oil or coconut oil on leather tack?
It is best not to. Kitchen oils can go rancid, attract dirt and darken leather unevenly. A conditioner made for saddlery leather is safer.
Keep reading
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