Pulled my 20+ year old Butet out of storage. The seat and knee flap leather is dry, dry, dry. It was dry when I rode in it regularly, but not as much as it was getting daily care. I have used Effax Leather Balsam on it two days ago and it was a little better until I buffed it (recommended on instructions). I have some clear boot cream that I’m tempted to try…please tell me not to!
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Please don’t.
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Try Effax Lederbalsam (might be what you tried and just brand name is diff) and the same brand’s Leder Combi +… I’ve had both of those work miracles on saddles (granted were talking untouched for 1-2 years not 20+)
Neatsfoot oil might help too? I think that would be worth a shot before clear boot cream 
Also might help to use a leather conditioner after all of this. Im sure you know more than I do in this respect but these would be my best guesses! Good luck!!
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Warm up some olive oil - seriously, although this is a late 90’s thing, I believe it will work. Just warm it and apply with a paint brush or cloth.
This will leach into your breeches, so wear crap leggings or something, but I am confident that it will work. Boot cream sounds like a terrible idea to me.
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I do love Lederbalsam, but since you say it is very dry, you want something that will soak in, not remain on the surface.
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I have left bridle pieces in Ziplock bags in olive oil for a couple of days, so I do really mean slather it in oil. High quality leather can rebound. But, again, it is going to leach out some.
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I left 40 year old bridle parts in mineral oil for a couple of months and ended up with a functional.dijnle bridle!
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Never tried mineral oil. Vegetable oil also works. It really comes down to the initial leather quality, I think.
Effax makes an oil that is very good for this sort of thing. Will take a few coats. And then use the balm to lock in the moisture after oiling.
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This stuff is amazing for dry leather - Christian Lowe saddle oil
https://christianlowe.ca/index.php/product/black-stripes-t-shirt/
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Butet actually sells a Butet oil. It’s stupid expensive but that is what I would/do use.
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I worked for a Pony Club DC (Maine) in 1993. Can’t remember her name for my life! She had a concoction that turned my saddle into butter. Glycerine, olive oil, darn I wish I could remember! I actually sold that saddle for more than the sticker price on a new one, it was so sweet…back in the day of flat saddles, though.
And it did take a month or two to stop leaching, but well worth it.
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If there’s too much oil in it, put it in some kitty litter.
I over oiled a set of show harness. Next time we used it, it rained. Imagine oily leather and rain. Somehow we got it tightened up. When I got home, I put it in a bag of kitty litter to draw the excess oil out. Worked pretty well.
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DO NOT DO THAT.
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From a saddle fitter, and I have done this and it worked amazingly. Warning keep any dogs at bay. The desire to lick without the follow through leads to copious amounts of drooling in some.
Get saddle and many protective layers to sit on and lay across your lap. I used an old shower curtain and older towels. Turn on a LONG tv program/movie you’ve been dying to watch.
Massage into the leather with your hands only, extra virgin Oilve oil. The warmth of your hands and the extended amount of time just rubbing it in for about 2+ hours will create the warmth needed to better allow the saddle to accept the oil. Obviously don’t do this is freezing cold weather in an unheated tack room. Think, living room, warmish, and just really get mindless in the rubbing as you watch the movie. Do all of the saddle until it doesn’t absorb any more oil or the movie is over. Let rest for a day or so in a NOT cold place. Room temp without AC is best. Over hot or over cold are less ideal.
It has always worked for me and kept the saddles in amazing shape that has lasted literally years before I gave it another intense rubdown.
Em
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Buy some tallow online- warm it up a bit and apply. Wait 12 hours then repeat until it does not absorb and sits on the surface. Buff and polish. That will soften and revitalize the leather as much as can be done without damaging it.
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My go-to for old leather is a product called Rejuvenator Oil from a company named Leatherique. It is a formula developed many decades ago for the antique car restoration market. it became widely used in classic car circles to treat old worn and dry leather. The company moved from Orange Park, Florida to Aiken, SC years ago snd their products, which used to be available only by directly ordering from them, are now sold on Amazon too.
I have used it for leather car seats, my saddles, my bridles and halters, and even had great success with a 1940s vintage military aviator leather jacket and a 60 year old baseball glove. Though the word “oil” is in the name, it is not an oil.
I have no connection with the company. I have just been using their products for over 40 years so far.
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Hydrophane worked wonderfully on my tack and boots that had been in storage. It was shocking how much they absorbed.
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I have used the lard that I buy in the grocery store to bring dried out leather back to life.
I impressed my riding teacher with the results so much that when she finds a dried out bridle or saddle I get to work on it at home. It takes around 3 applications of the lard, with several days between the applications, to get the leather supple enough for use on her lesson horses.
Whatever you try, try first in a little concealed spot.
You never know what any one leather has been treated with.
Some leather has been shellacked and then any product will soak in as streaks.
Keep in mind that whatever you use for the first time can surprise you.
I haver used for all kinds of leather rehab in English and western tack of all kinds old simple Lexol, after trying it in a little spot.
Lexol tends to make leather noodle soft, but after a time it is perfect.
Has worked better for dried leather than warmed up neatsfoot oil or any other kind of oils or products.
Second this, and then high quality glycerine, which will make it shine. Belvoir is my preferred, if you can still get it. I also really like Emerald Valley’s leather soap. I’ve never buffed. Old school for sure but works brilliantly, including on my old calf butet. Good luck!
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