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Storing a saddle correctly has a huge impact on the durability of the leather, the shape of the panels, the condition of the tree and the service life of the whole saddle. Even the best-made saddle can lose its shape or wear out early if it keeps going back to the wrong conditions.
A saddle's worst enemies are damp, excessive heat, direct sunlight, dust and poor support.
Below: where to keep a saddle, how to put it away after riding, what it should rest on, when a cover helps and when it does harm, and what to do before a longer break.
Key points at a glance
- The room should be dry, airy, shaded and at a stable temperature. Neither a damp tack room nor a spot next to a radiator or heater.
- Only put a cover on a dry, clean saddle. Damp leather sealed in is the perfect setting for mould.
- Never dry leather fast. Radiators, heaters, hair dryers and stoves draw out moisture together with the oils.
- A saddle rack should support the saddle broadly and evenly. A narrow or sharp bracket deforms the panel flocking.
- Clean the saddle before a longer break, then check from time to time that conditions have not changed.
Table of contents
- Where should you store a saddle?
- How to put a saddle away after riding?
- What should a saddle rest on?
- Saddle covers: when do they help and when do they harm?
- How to prepare a saddle for a longer break?
- What if mould appears?
- Most common mistakes
- Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
- Summary
Where should you store a saddle?
A dry, airy room
A saddle should be kept in a room that is dry, well ventilated and as stable in temperature as possible. Damp encourages mould, unpleasant smells and leather degradation. On the other hand, air that is too dry and heavily heated dries the leather out and takes away its suppleness.
Avoid extremes. A saddle should be neither in a damp tack room nor right next to a radiator or heater.
Away from direct sunlight
Long exposure to UV radiation fades the colour and speeds up leather ageing. It shows especially on brown and cognac saddles, where differences in shade can appear fairly quickly.
That is why a saddle should not stand by a large window, in a sun-baked car or anywhere direct light falls for several hours a day.
A car is not a tack room
A car is not suitable for long-term storage at all. In summer the temperature inside rises very quickly, in winter the saddle is exposed to low temperatures and large swings in humidity, and sunlight through the windows heats and discolours the leather even more.
Transporting a saddle by car is of course normal, but once the trip is over it is best to take the saddle straight to a properly prepared room.
How to put a saddle away after riding?
Let it dry first, then the cover
After riding, a saddle is often warm, damp with the horse's sweat or slightly wet from the weather. Do not seal it in a cover straight away.
First let it dry naturally at room temperature, ideally somewhere well ventilated. Put the cover on only once the saddle is dry. Sealing in damp leather creates ideal conditions for mould.
Never by a radiator or heater
This is one of the most common mistakes. Soaked or damp leather should not be dried fast. A direct heat source quickly draws out moisture and oils, leaving the leather stiffer, more brittle and prone to cracking.
A saddle should dry slowly and naturally. The same goes for hair dryers, hot-air blowers and leaving the saddle by a stove. We cover the whole process in a separate guide on how to dry a wet saddle.
Girth and stirrups
After riding, unbuckle the girth from the saddle and leave it to dry separately.
It is worth brushing sand and dirt off the stirrups after every ride. Putting stirrup covers on them also helps, as they stop sand and dirt being carried onto the saddle flaps. Then run the stirrups up the leathers so they do not knock against the saddle and scratch it.
For longer storage, also check that no metal parts stay in direct contact with damp leather.
A saddle used every day needs good conditions too
Proper storage is not only about saddles put away for months. With daily use it is especially important that the saddle can dry after every ride and is not left permanently damp.
Regular contact with sweat, damp and dust without drying and cleaning damages leather faster than heavy use itself.
What should a saddle rest on?
The right saddle rack
A saddle should rest on a rack that gives it stable and as even support as possible. Ideally the rack has a wide surface and does not press on the panels at single points.
A rack that is too narrow, sharp or badly shaped can deform the panel flocking over time or leave permanent dents. Nor should a saddle be laid on a hard surface without proper support. What sits under the leather and why point pressure matters so much is explained in our article on saddle anatomy.
Not on the pommel or the cantle
Standing a saddle upright, on its pommel or cantle, puts unnecessary load on certain parts of the structure.
It is best stored in a position close to how it sits on the horse's back, evenly supported on a rack. This matters especially for long-term storage.
Nothing heavy on top
Do not put helmets, grooming boxes, bags, boots or other heavy kit on the saddle. Long-term pressure deforms the seat, flaps and panels.
The same applies to stacking several saddles on top of one another.
Saddle covers: when do they help and when do they harm?
A cover protects the saddle from dust, light and accidental scuffs, which makes it a very good choice for everyday storage.
However, it should be made of a fabric that allows at least some air exchange. Airtight plastic covers are not suitable for long-term leather storage.
The key rule: only put the cover on a dry, clean saddle. You will find breathable models in our saddle covers category.
How to prepare a saddle for a longer break?
Clean it before putting it away
If the saddle will not be used for several weeks or months, clean it thoroughly before putting it away. No sweat, dust or dirt should be left on the leather.
After cleaning you can apply a suitable balm or wax if the leather needs it. For drier leather you can consider a small amount of oil, following the manufacturer's recommendations. But do not soak the leather in product just because the saddle will be out of use for a long time.
You will find leather cleaners and conditioners in our tack care category, and how to care for each part of the saddle is covered in a separate saddle care guide.
Regular checks
Long-term storage does not mean you can put the saddle away and forget about it for months. From time to time check:
- whether mould has appeared,
- whether the leather is drying out,
- whether the cover is trapping moisture,
- whether the panels are deforming on the rack,
- whether conditions in the room have changed.
When a saddle is stored over the whole winter or for several months, these regular checks matter a lot.
What if mould appears?
Mould is a sign that the storage conditions are too damp or that the saddle was put away before it had fully dried.
Wiping the surface and putting the saddle back in the same place is not enough. First deal with the humidity, clean the saddle thoroughly with a suitable product and let it dry completely. We describe removing the mould step by step in our guide on how to remove mould from a saddle.
Also clean the rack, the cover and the area around the saddle, as mould spores can stay on other surfaces.
If the leather needs more than cleaning at home, book our saddle leather cleaning and care. You will find the full range of work in our saddle service.
Most common mistakes
Situations to avoid first and foremost when storing a saddle.
- putting a damp saddle into an airtight cover,
- drying leather by a radiator or heater,
- storing it in full sun,
- leaving the saddle in the car for a long time,
- using a rack that is too narrow or sharp,
- putting heavy items on the saddle,
- stacking several saddles on top of one another,
- putting tack away without removing sweat and dirt first,
- leaving a saddle for months without any checks.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
The questions we hear most often when talking about saddle storage.
Can a saddle be kept in a cover permanently?
Yes, on two conditions: the saddle must be dry and clean, and the cover must be made of a fabric that allows at least some air exchange. Airtight plastic covers are not suitable for long-term leather storage.
Can I dry a saddle by a radiator?
No. A direct heat source quickly draws moisture and oils out of the leather, leaving it stiffer, more brittle and prone to cracking. The same goes for hair dryers, hot-air blowers and leaving the saddle by a stove. Leather should dry slowly and naturally.
Can a saddle stay in the car?
For transport, yes; for longer, no. In summer the temperature in a car rises very quickly, in winter there are low temperatures and big swings in humidity, and sunlight through the windows heats and discolours the leather. After a trip, take the saddle straight to a prepared room.
Why shouldn't a saddle stand on its pommel?
Because standing upright, on the pommel or the cantle, puts load on certain parts of the structure. It is best stored in a position close to how it sits on the horse's back, evenly supported on a rack.
How do I prepare a saddle for winter storage?
Clean it thoroughly so no sweat, dust or dirt is left on the leather, then apply a balm or wax if the leather needs it. Put the saddle on a rack in a dry, airy, shaded place and check from time to time for mould and for any change in the room's conditions.
What should I do with the girth and stirrups after riding?
Unbuckle the girth from the saddle and let it dry separately. Brush sand and dirt off the stirrups, put stirrup covers on if you use them, then run the stirrups up the leathers so they do not knock against the saddle and scratch the leather.
Summary
A good place to store a saddle is dry, airy, shaded and free from big temperature swings. The saddle itself should be clean, dry, properly supported and protected from dust, but not shut away where it cannot release moisture.
Key things to remember:
- Leather copes best with stable conditions: it does not like damp, excessive heat or fast drying.
- Only put a cover on a dry, clean saddle, and the fabric should let at least some air through.
- The rack should support the saddle broadly and evenly, without point pressure on the panels.
Proper storage does not need complicated procedures, but it has a big influence on the condition of your saddle after a few years of use.
If the leather already needs more than home care, or you are unsure about the condition of the panels, bring your saddle to the Equishop Service at ul. Oświęcimska 9 in Ruda Śląska or send it by courier; we explain the packing in our guide on how to send a saddle for service. For questions about a specific model, the quickest way to reach us is through our contact page.
