[Fancy's Joe]

Mmkay so I just bought this saddle about a month ago, and the color has rubbed off where the leathers are, and on the seat a little bit too. (it's a collegiate)

I dont have a picture but if you need one I can take one tomorrow or something.

I've been riding with socks on my leathers for a few days now (saw this on another thread).

So I was just wondering, is there any way that I can get the color back on ?

I've seen saddles darken with use. And I actually like that look.
But I really really hate the fact that my saddle is turning white-ish.

[Solly Jumper]

I'd suggest polishing it with polish that is the colour of your saddle, otherwise I don't know how to get it back. I would suggest riding with socks on the leathers and a seat saver so it doesn't rub off anymore.

[gypsy84]

If the saddle is brand new (from your post it seems like this is what you're implying), you might want to try contacting the manufacturer or the store you bought it from. If you invested a lot of money in their product, they should want to satisfy you completely in order to maintain your trust in their brand. If it's already fading after one month's worth of riding, think what it'll look like after one year, or five years. If it were me, I would ask for an exchange or a refund.

[Fancy's Joe]

Hmm... Well after I bought it I read some reviews on the saddle and they all said that the color rubbed off a bit, and that it uses quickly.
By that time it was already too late to bring the saddle back to the tack shop though =/
So maybe I'll try the polish thing.

[Rhythm 'n Blues]

FYI the polish will end up rubbing off too. Just be sure you're not wearing white or very light colored pants that you don't want ruined when you ride in your saddle for a few rides after applying - or that you don't get caught in the rain!

[ShowJumper23]

Thats happening to my saddle too, but its a couple years old, a kieffer dressage saddle. Its mostly at the bottom where my calf would be. I cleaned my saddle with my leather saddle care (uncolored) stuff, and it looked a lot better. But on one side, the color came off again. I'm not too worried about it, I won't be showing until the fall, so I can try a few different things until then.

I must admit, I did polish it with black polish, and it got on my white pants at a show! I don't know how, but it completely washed out, and there isn't a trace of black on there. I was so scared that I had ruined them though.

[Fancy's Joe]

Hmm...
So the color is gone for good now?
Why do all the other saddles I've seen darken with use, and mine just turns white-ish ?

[AllAroundRdr]

Leather darkens from the sunlight, not from RUBS -- I've yet to find an English saddle that doesn't have 'wear marks' on the fenders whether the leathers are.

I've had VERY limited wear marks on my HDR in the 7-8 years I've owned it *knocks on wood* and I rode in it multiple times a week and showed. What I do is I get colored/tinted boot cream and put it on my fenders. Allow to dry and buff lightly with a very soft cloth.

I don't ride with socks over my leathers or anything, but I bought lycra fabric and made a 'pouch' that each iron (and leathers) sit in so my irons aren't against the leather of my saddle when it's being stored.

[luvs2ride79]

Clean and oil, oil, oil! I highly recommend Hydrophane leather dressing. You can get it for $15 at Dover. They have a darkening oil too, if you don't mind the whole thing a little darker.

The color fades quicker when you don't keep the saddle well oiled. The more you get it broke in, the less it will fade.

[luvs2ride79]

Originally Posted by Fancy's Joe

Hmm...
So the color is gone for good now?
Why do all the other saddles I've seen darken with use, and mine just turns white-ish ?

Because you're not cleaining and oiling it enough. You should wipe it down after every use, clean it with saddle soap after every 10th use, and oil it as needed, usually 2-3 times a year.

You need to oil the heck out of any mid to low-priced saddle when you first get it as they are NOT pre-oiled like the more expensive saddles. You need to get some Hydrophane and put layer after layer of oil on it until it stops soaking it up, wipe off any excess, then let it set over night. Repeat the process the next day. You can bend and roll your flaps in either direction between coats of oil to get it to soak in even better.

I have a 30 yr old Stubben and it has VERY LITTLE rub marks from the stirrup leathers, even when it was being used daily. My BROWN Dressage saddle that is for sale was ridden in heavily for 4-5 months and it looks practically brand new! And it's about the same quality as your Collegiate.

If you take care of your saddles properly, you will not lose the color under the stirrup leathers. You WILL end up with a darker colored saddle though, lol, and well moisturized cuticles from all the oiling, lol.