I have bought used saddles in the past so forgive me if this is less than a steller question.
I've read tips on how to 'break in' your new saddle, I understand that. My question is mainly the fenders, several state getting them wet and to use some type of bar, board or a handle to use between the stirrups but what I don't get is..... with the roughout fenders won't that discolor them?
(Jockey seat & fenders are roughout and I vision the fenders would change shades once wet & dried making the jockey seat lighter longer)
TIA
(I might be micromanaging too much)
Posted 2018-01-09 7:24 AM Subject: RE: New Saddles
Expert
Posts: 1631 Location: Somewhere around here
I did that to my saddle last summer and it might have darkened it a smidge but honestly I couldn't even notice the difference. What I did notice was my stirrups being able to move more freely and were more comfortable to my legs.
ETA: I did oil my saddle everywhere the water hit it and it felt so nice and buttery like leather afterwards.
Posted 2018-01-09 8:23 AM Subject: RE: New Saddles
The One
Posts: 7998 Location: South Georgia
I actually oil my roughout. I like it soft and kind of "grippy." Keep in mind though, if you do not wish to oil the roughout, you can still apply oil to the back side (the smooth side). Then, put a broom or 2x4 in your stirrups to bend them. I actually over bend my fenders and really twist them around a couple times to get a good bend in them. It only takes once or twice and they'll stay nice and bended. I think I actually saw this method on barrelhorsenews website.
Posted 2018-01-09 10:45 AM Subject: RE: New Saddles
Elite Veteran
Posts: 602
If you dont want to use water or oil. Bring the saddle in the house and put a broom stick through it. The warmth from your house will make it flexible. Im currently doing this to a new saddle.
Posted 2018-01-09 1:30 PM Subject: RE: New Saddles
Born not Made
Posts: 2937 Location: North Dakota
I have a small board that I keep in my trailer just for this purpose. I bought my horse a new saddle last fall. It's going to sit in the trailer all winter with the stirrups twisted. Should be good to go by spring!
I don't do the water. But I do condition/oil the backside of the fenders (if the outside is roughout). My new saddle has tooled fenders so I conditioned/oiled both sides.
New Saddles
