Initial Oiling:
Most leather equipment will benefit from an initial oiling, this gives a first "conditioning" to the leather.
When applying oil, it should be at room temperature or warmed slightly so that it is comfortable to the touch. Apply oil sparingly with a piece of sheepskin or paint brush. With saddles, apply oil to all surfaces, especially the flesh side where it will permeate leather well. After lubricating, if the flaps of the saddle feel stiff, the flaps can be rolled a few times so that the oil can do its job and loosen leather fibers to create suppleness. Do not overdo this, as it can make flaps too loose and prone to bunch under your leg. Allow the saddle to sit
overnight to give the oil a chance to soak in and the color a chance to even out.

Maintenance Care of Leather:
You should take care of your leather products as you take care of your skin, keep clean, soft and moisturized.
After each use, leather equipment should be wiped off with a damp sponge, especially the
underside, to remove sweat and dirt build-up.

Depending on how often you ride, you should, on a regular basis, clean and condition your
saddle.

Cleaning is a four-step process:

Soap: Use a tack sponge and glycerine saddle soap ( or for those who do not like the
residue left by glycerine, then Castile soap may be used). Work up a foam lather that
will surround the dirt on your equipment and loosen it from the surface.

Rinse: Clean the dirt and soap away using the same sponge (cleaned thoroughly in fresh
water). Make sure all soap is removed.

Dry: Let the saddle air dry for a few minutes, or towel it to get the excess water off.

Finish: Choose a fresh, clean sponge for the finishing work as it is difficult to fully clean
the dirt off of a used sponge. Pick up a bit of the glycerine saddle soap on the sponge (if it
foams you have left too much water on the sponge) and apply it to the leather in small
circular motions. You could also use a small amount of a good conditioner along with the
glycerine soap on your sponge.

PORTIONS OF THESE GUIDELINES ARE USED WITH PERMISSION FROM BEVAL SADDLERY.