I just unpacked my new custom Antares saddle, but couldn’t find any documentation about how to care for the leather prior to the first use. Should I oil it with the included oil? Roll the (grain) flaps? Just carry it around the house to spread the new saddle smell to every room?
Congratulations on your brand new saddle! I had my CWD oiled before it was shipped to me so although I’ve got lots of experience with new strap goods I haven’t done much with saddles. If your saddle is grain leather, then usually it is oiled in the beginning and rolling the flaps is a common practice. But before you even do that, have you tried it on your horse to make sure it fits?
Massaging the panels and seat with conditioner will help break it in. Put conditioner on every leather surface and crevice. Use your hands—no gloves. My Voltaire rep said the goal was to use the entire jar of conditioner the first month.
slather conditioner on it and let it soak in overnight… after you’ve checked the fit.
for future care… never use saddle soap on it, just wipe dust/grime off with a damp cloth. the saddle soap will eventually make the leather hard and shiny, which is not what most people want. I don’t mind it on bridles but I find my saddles stay nice and grippy and supple since i stopped using soap to clean the new ones several years ago.
Call your rep for advice. I was told for mine to oil it with the oil that came with it. Condition once a week and oil it maybe every 6 months—-not often. Mine is buffalo so grain may be different.
This post is a bit old, however I would actually recommend not using the Antares cleaner. It makes the saddle shiny, however the soap/conditioner soaks in and makes the leather sticky and moldy (trust me, I almost ruined mine). I would buy the effax leder-combi and use that, it doesn’t leave a residue like the Antares cleaner does. The oil should be fine though.
