Custom Saddlery Maintenance: no soap, shoe shine brush

[BlueDrifter]

I just received my new saddle! Yay!

The care and maintenance insert suggests applying Effax Lederbalsam every couple weeks with a tack sponge, and then using a shoe shine brush (or soft body brush) to work it into the leather. Then shoeshine brush after every ride.

Anyone else do this? A new approach for me.

jan

[jellybean2]

I looked on the website and it says something a little different:

• Initial Break-in: condition as often as you can, usually about once a day for approximately 3 weeks.
• Routine Care: clean off dust with damp sponge. Apply conditioner as needed or to combat conditions.
• Condition entire saddle with the Effax leather balm at least 2-3 times a week or whenever the saddle seems dry. Respect your tack.
• Never dry leather with heat or direct sunlight.
• Never place saddle on posts/fences as this will damage the gullet.
• Never ride in denim jeans and be sure stirrup leathers are not rough or cracked - this may wear away the surface of the leather.
• Never pull on the rear of our saddle to mount your horse, this will weaken or twist the tree of your saddle. Use a mounting block.

[BlueDrifter]

Oh gosh, I will have to look there and understand the discrepancy. Especially the initial break-in. There is no mention of that at all in the brochure accompanying the saddle.

Just looked at the website: it emphasizes “no cleansers of any type” for buffalo leather. No mention of using a shoe shine brush after apply Effax

Interesting, especially the “apply after every ride” and buffing it in with a soft brush.

jan

[KurPlexed]

Can you pls post your findings? I too have a new custom and was confused.

[KayGee]

I use Effax with a shoeshine brush per my rep, and my saddle looks brand new. It’s a 2017 model.

[Scribbler]

I assume the makers assume you are not going to go galloping through mud. If it isn’t dirty it doesn’t need soap. But once it gets muddy, sweaty, moldy, or even ground in dust, a saddle needs cleaning.

[starsandsun]

I don’t have this saddle, but I do use Effax with a soft brush on all my tack. It’s wonderful for getting in the crevices.

[BlueDrifter]

I think they are suggesting a damp cloth for mud, but they are adamant about no cleaners, at least for buffalo.

[BlueDrifter]

@kaygee, @starsandsun – I am going to give it a try! I have used a shoeshine brush on my shoes, back when my career required it, so it makes sense, but I have never seen anyone do it, and several in our barn have new Custom Saddlery saddles.

thanks for commenting!

jan

[Scribbler]

I agree that most saddles don’t need soap and water that often.

However it worries me that you are told to nevet ever use cleaners. What is buffalo leather really? Is it just stamped and pressed cow hide? Will the finish deteriorate if you use cleaners? What if it gets wet in the rain?

[BlueDrifter]

Buffalo leather should be just that, or bison leather, but not stamped/pressed cowhide. Custom Saddlery website suggests that color will fade with the use of cleaners. They suggest a damp cloth for mud, but no cleaning agents, which for most, is saddle soap.

My guess is that the majority of dressage riders are over-zealous with their use of cleaners and causing damage?

[sheltona01]

It depends on the company, but sometimes it is water buffalo or a print. You want to very lightly condition the buffalo seat because otherwise it smooths down faster. You can damage your saddle by using the wrong product on it even with good leather products if it doesn’t agree with how they tanned it.

The best thing is to keep the dirt and sweat off of the leather and condition as needed. The as needed depends on your environment.

[BlueDrifter]

Ah, reading closely, it is “a mix of buffalo and buffalo-type leathers…”

I recall reading long ago that one should use German conditioners with German saddles, English conditioners with English saddles, etc because of their tanning processes, but is there any real guidance?

[Libby2563]

@jellybean2

• Routine Care: clean off dust with damp sponge. Apply conditioner as needed or to combat conditions.
• Condition entire saddle with the Effax leather balm at least 2-3 times a week or whenever the saddle seems dry. Respect your tack.

A full conditioning 2-3 times a week seems like a LOT. I bought my Custom in 2013 and have ridden in it regularly since. I don’t condition it anywhere near that often, and I have used other products (Passier Lederbalsam and Higher Standards tack soap) on it with no apparent issues. It could still pass for lightly used so I can’t be messing it up too much…

[sheltona01]

Yes, ask the company about which products they recommend. Each is slightly different. All natural products without petroleum ingredients are generally safe. However it is best to test on a small part not visible.

[jellybean2]

Their website says the opposite? It says if you see the Buffalo starting to smooth that it is a sign you aren’t conditioning nearly enough.

I have no idea. I just bought a Buffalo leather custom but haven’t ridden in it yet because I’m waiting on my fitter to check it.

[jellybean2]

I just used Passier on mine. I personally like it more than the effax! It smells so much better.

[BlueDrifter]

I haven’t ridden in mine yet either due to all the rain in SoCal, but hopefully this weekend.

My fitter said mine is already adjusted for my horse, that I am to ride in it for a couple months without a half pad, and then she comes and does minor adjustments.

[BlueDrifter]

@starsandsun, I just effaxed and brushed my paddock boots – and my shoeshine brush feels a little greasy. Does that happen to you? Are you using a shoe shine brush, or a horse body brush?

jan

[starsandsun]

I use a tiny horse body brush, and it does keep the ‘feel’ of the effax on it. I only use it for this purpose.