trail swimming

Just got a new-to-me Barefoot treeless It’s almost a beige color with black piping on edges and dark brown fenders…so, lots of differing shades of leather.
What to I do to it to prevent water damage from going in creeks? Seems the group is ALWAYS hitting water,usually deep enough to be calf high on the riders. And my mule is about the shortest at the barn, only 14.2…so I am guessing even more of MY saddle will be underwater.
I don’t really mind if the fenders get darker, but I really like the lighter saddle color,especially against the almost black of my mule, so don’t want to do anything to alter the color much.
What to do??,and when?..before water, after water, or before AND after?

My Barefoot has been in the lake and the rain, and it’s fine. I wouldn’t stress much over it. Saddles are for riding!