I got a new (to me) rope saddle which I absolutely love, but we needed to change out the fenders because they were too short and it was just time to change them out, these were pretty worn out anyway. I ordered a new set of rough out fenders to match the saddle. I've never owned a rough out before. So ... I'm wondering if I'm missing anything in the "break in" process. They are much lighter in color than the saddle, I've been oiling them really heavily in pure neatsfoot oil daily and they are twisted with a broom stick in my tackroom in between rides. I soak them pretty heavy in the oil but I swear they are back to being lighter in color the next morning. Is there something else I should be doing? Or do I just give it more time and rides and oil ? 

I think theres a Tanners Leather darking oil, or maybe try Olive oil in a small area to see if it will darken the leather up, I know over time the rough out will darken. i'm going to look up the tanner oil just because, lol..

I loved my roughout fenders but never did a thing to them.  I would have been afraid they wouldn't color evenly.  

I saw this  , but I think over time the rough out will darking on its own, maybe just oil the fenders every once in a while, I would just keep doing what you are doing.

If they're like nautral color light I've had success oiling them and leaving them sit in the sun. I've always done that when I've gotten light oil saddles or tack. I just use extra virgin olive oil & leave in the sun for a few days, keep applying oil so it doesn't dry out 

Thank yall for the replies. I'm going to keep on oiling it and I think I'll set it out tomorrow in the sun after I ride and oil again to see if that helps some! I forgot how tough it is to break in saddles! This is just the fenders but those things are STIFF!  I'll be glad when they turn to butter like the original ones are. 

Not to turn your saddle into the social media blue dress/gold dress or whatever it was but -

are the fenders lighter because they're clean or is the saddle darker because it's dirty?

I'll have to get a photo of it. It could be pretty dirty considering who I got it from, but i really think it's just really well worn and broke in. When we changed the fenders out there was some cob webs under there lol! I am also going to upgrade the conchos when I finally decide on which ones I want. I've never heard of the brand but honestly this has got to be one of the most comfortable saddles I've ever sat in and it fits my horse absolutely perfect, like it was made for him.