Cleaning Calfskin Tack

[LadyB]

First time owner of a Calfskin saddle (well hopefully, saddle fitter does the final check on monday!)

Just wondering, how does one keep it clean? What products can I use on it? Do I use a saddle soap. or am I to condition it only? I have no idea how to care for Calfskin tack.

Any and all tips are greatly appreciated.

[Lusoluv]

There are lots of info out there if you Google this topic, but in general:

-Wipe down with clean, wrung out rag after use. Sand/dirt act like sandpaper on calfskin.
-Once every couple months apply a cream conditioner (Passier lederbalsam or Oakwood, etc.) with a sheepskin mitt. Buff.
-If you ever use soap, use something well made and well-known like Stubben hamanol soap. No glycerine bars or something that says you can leave it on, or that it is soap and conditioner in one step. Just like your skin, if you apply soap, you must quickly remove it with well-rinsed clean rag. Let dry and then lightly condition.

NEVER use oil on calfskin. It will cause the thin calfskin to separate from the leather it has been glued to!

[LadyB]

Thanks, I did google, but I don’t usually trust random google results. Some people can be completely wrong and cause damage if I listened to them.

If a calfskin saddle gets wet in the rain, so I just condition it?

I use Passier conditioner.

I’m having a problem trusting soaps as well. I worry that most of them have glycerin, was hoping someone would give a list. I could just buy the Prestige soap, they just dont give a lot in a package.

[avesane]

What kind of saddle is it? I have an Equipe Grand Prix in calf and I clean it with Higher Standards and oil it with the Equipe Soft Oil that I was provided by my dealer.

The Higher Standards soap makes it so luxuriously glossy and shiny that I get tons of comments. Going on a year and a bit now and I haven’t had any trouble with the saddle at all.

[pacific_jumper]

I have been very happy with the Voltaire leather products that came with my saddle. I also like higher standards, and oakwood.
When riding in the rain, condition before you ride with a product containing bees wax to protect the leather.

[dappled]

I use Passier as well. Although to be honest, I don’t have to use it very often. The thing about calfskin is that its so supple, it doesn’t seem to need conditioner nearly as often as a non-calfskin saddle. I usually just wipe it down and use the lederbalsam very sparingly.

I was worried when I bought my first calfskin saddle but it’s surprisingly low maintenance.

[LadyB]

Its a Prestige Venus K dressage saddle. I’m truly in love with it!

I’ve been told not to oil calfskin as it will start to pull away from the leather it is glued to, so I know not to do that.

I have a Prestige leather cleaning kit, but not entirely sure if I can use it on it, as the instructions are pretty crappy. I had to google if I was to use a damp sponge lol.

So I can use Passier lederbalm on it? Its such a different feel that I’m scared to ruin it.

[em_thom]

Both of my saddles are calfskin and YES if they get rained on it has been necessary for me to immediately put conditioner on it. I use the thick, yellow Passier stuff and I love it. Just slather it on and leave it on, I usually just wipe it off before I use the saddle again.

[Lusoluv]

As with all good leather goods, but especially calfskin, less is more. Be very conservative with the amount of conditioner you use and you’ll be fine.

[LadyB]

Thank you, good to know.

Will have Passier on had at all times, for rainy days. For some reason I tend to always show in the rain.

[Xanthoria]

Glycerin is a humectant so it attract water out if the environment. I used to clean off every trace of glycerin soap and apply conditioner and my tack was feeling dry. Couldn’t figure it out. Now I clean with a damp sponge with glycerin soap only and my tack is feeling great. Humectants FTW!