[Lindax333]

I will be showing my mare a week from today and need to know how to get my saddle looking its best. I have a lesson with her Wednesday morning and will be using all my show tack to see that it fits properly while in use. Since purchasing the saddle about a year ago I have only wiped down after use. What are the steps to cleaning and polishing my saddle? I have a glycerin cleaner and Aussie brand saddle conditioner. I would appreciate any help, step by step would be great if anyone has time to spell it out for me. Thank you.

[keaneequestrian]

I liek never show so I am not sure my opinion is valid but I just use a glycerin based soap, a nice conditioner like Lexol and maybe, depending on the condition some neatsfoot oil. And then take a buffer (like for cars, but not electric or anything) and polish the thing.

[sunnysgirl]

Clean it as you would any other day and if it has silver, use silver polish to polish it up. Clean your bit up real good with warm water, too.

[Dandy_Brush]

I like to use horse mans one step!! (it smells good!!) but it makes the leather feel realy good to!! my mom has been using it for years!!

[tiffany]

All I do is use saddlesoap from the tackstore and get a rag & water and voila! clean!

[arabgirl15]

Put it in the washer........ JKK!!! Lol.. Um..saddlesoap works wonders

[keaneequestrian]

Originally Posted by Dandy_Brush

I like to use horse mans one step!! (it smells good!!)

That's what counts

[Kiwi Pony]

I assume the 'glycerine cleanser' you mentioned is saddle soap? Don't use saddle soap to clean your saddle, use it last to polish and finish it.

Give it a thorough cleaning first - keep wiping with a slightly damp sponge or rag until no marks appear on the rag when you wipe firmly. Then use your leather conditioner to nourish the leather. Only put it on the underneath of your saddle flaps so the colour doesn't seep out onto your breeches, and so the flaps don't get tooooo soft. Use the saddle soap with a very well wrung out cloth, and wipe it over (this is ok to go on the top of the saddle).

For extra shine, get a chamois and buff the outside of the saddle up after the saddle soap has sunk in a bit.

[CrazyHorse]

I use Olive Oil about 1-2 times per week, let it soak in for about 45 minutes then buff it out & it puts a nice shine on it, plus it softens the leather & helps take out the "squeak." I also clean it with Fieben's Saddle Soap about once a week after I've removed any dust or dirt that may be on the saddle.

[S.HorseWoman]

Olive Oil? Really? I have never heard of that! I love learning something new every day .

And to risk sounding the fool, what kind of Olive Oil? Like the same kind you use for cooking or something different?