Taking care of your English saddle is essential if you want it to last for years. Most English saddles are made of leather, which means they need proper care and maintenance to remain in good condition. Here are some tips on how to clean and care for your English saddle.

Leder Balsam
Leder-Balsam

First, always wipe down your saddle after every use with a damp cloth or sponge. You can use a glycerin bar with your damp cloth or sponge if you wish. This will remove any dirt or sweat that may have accumulated on the leather during your ride. Second, If your saddle is made of soft covered leather, you do not want to use oil, instead use a wax based product like a Leder-Balsm. If you have a regular leather saddle, you can oil it occasionally, with a product like Neatsfoot oil but it is not something you want to do too often as this can stretch out the fibers of your leather and darken your saddle. A nice saddle soap, glycerin or other cleaner made specifically for leather is usually just fine.

Leather foam

Third, avoid using harsh chemicals or abrasive materials when cleaning your saddle as this can damage the leather. Instead, use a soft brush or sponge to gently scrub away any stubborn dirt marks or stains that may be present on the surface of the leather.

Avoid olive oil or cooking oil on your saddle as this can discolor the leather. I have seen people turn their saddles green with olive oil. There are many products that are made just for saddles and tack click here to view.