Dying a dressage saddle?

[Lucassb]

So my amazing wonderful lovely four year old has been like the princess and the pea in terms of saddle fitting, sigh.

I have lost track of how many different saddles we’ve tried; two very well respected fitters have run out of ideas, and I’m getting a bit frustrated.

A very nice friend of a friend let me borrow his older ('05) Hennig Classic and it was like someone flipped the proverbial switch. Horsie was in love, and so was I. He moved great in it, it was super balanced for me, the heavens opened up and the angels sang and the whole nine yards. Unfortunately he does not want to sell it.

So I guess at least now I know what I am looking for, but of course Hennigs are all bespoke and so finding another one has been a challenge. The Hennig rep came out and tried his best, but had mostly new saddles, and they are quite a bit “more saddle” (poofier/more padded) than that minimalist Hennig, and neither the horse nor I liked anything we tried.

So anyway, I was tickled when I found a used '05 for sale online, but cosmetically it’s quite faded. Let’s just say the price does not reflect that issue and so I am wondering if there is anything I can do to restore the leather (which seems otherwise in good condition) to something that would be more pleasing than that weird greenish color. (Fit and function are the most important thing, of course, but I am very particular about my tack and I know that for that many thousands of dollars, I want the saddle to at least look halfway decent.)

So. Can these suckers be dyed back to black??

[Foxtrot_s]

…so you can wear white breeches with them? I’ve seen white breeches with black leather seats on them…perfect answer.

[Lucassb]

[QUOTE=Foxtrot’s;8637360]
…so you can wear white breeches with them? I’ve seen white breeches with black leather seats on them…perfect answer.[/QUOTE]

Haha, I guess I should have clarified my question. Can you dye those saddles so that they become black (again) without risking a terrible tragedy for all those white breeches I’ve lovingly acquired!?

[keysfins]

It could be done, but it is not an easy task as far as I know. The leather would have to be deglazed and opened to receive the dye. Someone else I know had the same question and I suggested she contact Gary Mundy (he’s on FB) with the question.

YMMV, but I would not risk it unless done by a pro, which might be costly.

ETA: there are links below for other threads that discuss restoring leather back to black.

[tempi2007]

I detail and restore a lot of saddles and whether or not I dye it depends on why it’s faded. If it’s oxidizing to green, there is really nothing much you can do. If you try to dye it, it will just get streaky. In addition, I never dye the seats. There’s really no need because no one can see it if you’re in the saddle anyway. Sometimes I will dye the top of the cantle if it’s scuffed.
Hennig’s can be tough because they sometimes have a coating that seals the pores of the leather. If the fading is caused by wear on the flaps, this usually can be dyed although not back to it’s original glory. And the dryer the saddle is, the easier it will take up the dye.
If you decide to dye it, I recommend Feibing’s oil-based dye and never apply it directly to the saddle. I put a little bit of oil on a sponge, then dab some of the dye on the sponge. I apply it evenly all over the flap, and the knee roll and skirt only if needed to match the flap. Let dry then I apply a beeswax based balm over to help lock in the color. Feibing’s also has a spray that’s wax based. I like to spray this on last to help protect everything without sealing the pores.
It won’t last forever, but it will generally get you through a show season before you have to do it again. Good luck.

[soloudinhere]

I redyed my 2005 hennig myself because the green was annoying me. Came out fine with no staining of breeches.

I spent several hours cleaning the saddle with soap after it had been dyed to remove any excess dye. No streaking, either. It came out just fine. Mine was calfskin, I’m not sure if it would work with other leathers.

[mvp]

[QUOTE=keysfins;8637403]
It could be done, but it is not an easy task as far as I know. The leather would have to be deglazed and opened to receive the dye. Someone else I know had the same question and I suggested she contact Gary Mundy (he’s on FB) with the question.

YMMV, but I would not risk it unless done by a pro, which might be costly.

ETA: there are links below for other threads that discuss restoring leather back to black.[/QUOTE]

I’d take the question to Beval’s, New Canaan. And I’d do that before I went to Gary Mundy. I have a pair of his black stirrup leathers. The other guy I’d ask is Paul Selvey/Superior Saddlery in Southern California. Or ask Annette Gavin at Hastilow in PA, or our favorite unheard-of guy, Bill Rasmussen in NC. Also, David Stackhouse or Tad Coffin would know. Actually, I’ll bet Tad Coffin has done this for some of his own dressage saddles when people ask him to rehab them.

ETA: I have seen (brown) saddles dyed back to a Like New coloring. The one I’m thinking of was on the west coast a long time ago. Someone had left it wet after a rainstorm and the whole thing had been faded to a light cardboard brown. So I know it can be done, I just don’t know by whom.

[atlatl]

I re-dyed my saddle using leather dye with amazingly good results. I don’t remember the brand but the process did include a cleaning solution to deglaze the leather first. Never had a problem with it coming off on my breeches.

[ChasseurSauteur]

A blogger I follow (who I believe posts here) did just that, and it seems to have worked really well for her:

https://the900facebookpony.com/2015/11/19/diy-dyeing-a-saddle/

[LadyNeon01]

[QUOTE=ChasseurSauteur;8638002]
A blogger I follow (who I believe posts here) did just that, and it seems to have worked really well for her:

https://the900facebookpony.com/2015/11/19/diy-dyeing-a-saddle/[/QUOTE]

I was going to suggest that blog post if someone hadn’t already! I have an older Amerigo that has that sickly faded green color on the seat, cantle, and panels. I have bought everything I need, just haven’t done it yet because I haven’t found the time.

[Foxtrot_s]

I have seen a disaster…in Pony Club…this is a one-way project, no turning back once started…

Test the underside first?

[MsRidiculous]

[QUOTE=ChasseurSauteur;8638002]
A blogger I follow (who I believe posts here) did just that, and it seems to have worked really well for her:

https://the900facebookpony.com/2015/11/19/diy-dyeing-a-saddle/[/QUOTE]

Thats me!

Yes, I redyed mine and it turned out great. It’s been 5 months and I’ve had absolutely zero dye leech… re-sealing it after you dye is key to avoid that. You can skip the Tan-Kote and just do Resolene.

[beowulf]

[QUOTE=Foxtrot’s;8638427]
I have seen a disaster…in Pony Club…this is a one-way project, no turning back once started…

Test the underside first?[/QUOTE]

Were you in my PC when I was a kid? :winkgrin:

As a teen I had an older Kieffer that was moss green, with lentil colored flaps… Just from wear, cosmetic.

Well I decided to apply shoe dye to it… Looked GREAT when I finished, but uh, instead of soaking the leather it just “glazed” it… now there are horrible chips/flakes off where the glazing has come off and the mossy green has resurfaced… If you are sitting in the saddle, great! It never stained me once. But… it does get some looks when it is borrowed and there are peat-green “flakes” in the middle of the seat…

So, I learned my lesson – always involve a pro. :lol:

[Lucassb]

Thanks, guys! Sounds like it is do-able. I don’t mind paying for a professional job but looking at that blog post was really helpful and I’m pretty handy so I might just consider doing it myself.

Really appreciate all the help. COTH rocks, as usual!!!

[Lucassb]

[QUOTE=MsRidiculous;8638450]
Thats me!

Yes, I redyed mine and it turned out great. It’s been 5 months and I’ve had absolutely zero dye leech… re-sealing it after you dye is key to avoid that. You can skip the Tan-Kote and just do Resolene.[/QUOTE]

Hey, you are famous!!

Many thanks for the excellent photo tutorial. Great to know that it can be a DIY project and that it can turn out so well (and hold up to use, after all that effort.)

I don’t mind putting in a bit of effort if the pony ends up liking this particular saddle. He is such a good soul that I want him to be comfortable in his saddle and finding “the one” that he likes has been, er… a journey. So I’m willing to give his one a shot and we’ll see how it goes.

Many thanks!

[MsRidiculous]

Here’s what it looks like as of a couple weeks ago. Still black!
https://the900facebookpony.files.wordpress.com/2016/04/img_7106.jpg

[Lucassb]

[QUOTE=MsRidiculous;8638941]
Here’s what it looks like as of a couple weeks ago. Still black!
https://the900facebookpony.files.wordpress.com/2016/04/img_7106.jpg[/QUOTE]

It looks fabulous!

[Xanthoria]

I have redyed a very faded Reactor Panel saddle seat and knee blocks black successfully, and dyed a tan breastplate black too.

First use acetone and a cloth to strip the sealant off the leather, then allow to dry. Two coats of Fiebings dye follow, with time to dry and cloth buff between coats. Dry. Then generous coat of Stubben Hamanol, and next day buff, and coat with beeswax polish sealant (Bee Natural brand).

Do it all outdoors (fumes) and wear rubber gloves etc. Take your time! So far my saddle looks fab: I have been riding in it for a few months. The breastcollar I sold after using it for a while.

[Bombproof]

You can do it. It’s not even that hard, but the deglazing is critical. Clean it until your rags are coming out clean, thoroughly deglaze, apply the dye carefully rubbing it in smoothly in circular motions. When it’s dry (and not before!) seal it with a good product. Getting a thin, smooth coat of dye, letting it dry thoroughly, and then sealing it will prevent transfer of dye.

[enterata]

I also follow the $900 facebook Pony blog (MsRidiculous on here). My County Perfection had started to fade to the sickly green and I was searching for ways to dye it and tbat was how I came upon the blog. I mustered the courage because of how well hers turned out. I did mine a month ago and it turned out beautiful with no dye bleeding onto breeches or saddle pad. Looks like a brand new saddle. My barn mates were so impressed so I shared the blog with 2 boarders. Theirs turned out great too. Thanks to Amanda.