How to prepare a new saddle for use

A new saddle fresh out of the box may look ready to ride, but in practice it's worth giving it some attention before you use it for the first time. Preparing the leather properly helps it stay supple, reduces the risk of it drying out prematurely and lets you start using the saddle in the best possible condition.

That doesn't mean every new saddle should be heavily oiled straight away. How you prepare it depends above all on the type of leather, how it has been finished and the specific manufacturer's recommendations.

Below is the order we follow in our saddle service: from inspection, through cleaning and choosing a product, to the manufacturers' recommendations.

Key points at a glance

• A new saddle doesn't need an “oil bath”. It needs a check of the leather, a gentle clean and care matched to the leather type and the manufacturer's recommendations.
• The first step is assessing the leather, not oiling it by default. New leather is often stiff, and that's normal, but it shouldn't be dry or brittle.
• Apply products in thin layers. It's safer to repeat an application than to soak the leather in one go, because the excess doesn't absorb and stays on the surface.
• Not every part of the saddle is treated the same. The seat and flaps should stay slightly soft, while the billets work under heavy load and shouldn't be softened too much.
• Prestige Italia and Renaissance saddles call for the manufacturer's products. Both brands advise against glycerine-based soap and solvent-based products.

Contents

1. Does a new saddle need care before the first ride?
2. How to prepare a new saddle step by step
3. Oil, balm or wax: which to choose?
4. Prestige and Renaissance: the manufacturer's recommendations
5. What about after the first rides?
6. Should you follow “deep cleaning” videos?
7. Does a new saddle need “breaking in”?
8. Common mistakes
9. Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
10. Summary

Does a new saddle need care before the first ride?

In most cases it's worth at least inspecting it carefully and checking the condition of the leather. A new saddle may have spent some time in a warehouse, in transit or in a shop, and storage conditions affect the leather's moisture and suppleness.

But don't assume a new saddle always needs lots of oil. Over-oiling can soften the leather too much, change its colour and, in some cases, weaken parts that need to keep a certain stiffness.

So the first step should be assessing the leather, not oiling it by default.

How to prepare a new saddle step by step

Six stages, in this order. Each one should tell you whether the next is needed at all.

1. Inspect the saddle carefully

Before first use, check the whole saddle: the seat, flaps, sweat flaps, billets, stitching, leather edges and the area around the stirrup bars. We explain what a saddle is made of in our piece on saddle construction.

New leather can be fairly stiff, and that's completely normal. But it shouldn't be dry, brittle or feel “papery”. This is also a good moment to check the saddle wasn't damaged in transit.

2. Remove dust and storage residue

If the saddle is clean, there's no need to start with a heavy wash. In most cases a soft, slightly damp cloth or the cleaner recommended by the manufacturer is enough. For hard-to-reach places, stitching, folds in the leather or around the fittings, you can use a soft brush to get into the corners without scratching the surface.

For many brands, glycerine soap used with a damp, well-wrung sponge is also a very good option for a more thorough clean, as long as you use it sparingly and don't soak the saddle. But that isn't a universal rule: for Prestige and Renaissance saddles the manufacturer recommends its own care products and advises against glycerine-based soaps. The aim is to preserve the properties and appearance of the leather used in their tack for as long as possible.

The aim of the first clean is to remove dust and surface dirt, not to “strip” the leather.

After cleaning, let the leather dry naturally at room temperature. Don't speed this up with a radiator, a hairdryer or by putting the saddle in the sun. There's no single drying time for every saddle and every cleaner: before applying the next product, the leather should be dry to the touch and not remain damp. In practice it depends on how much product you used, the temperature, the humidity and the type of leather.

3. Decide whether the leather needs conditioning

Once it's clean, you can judge whether the leather needs balm, oil or wax. If it's soft, supple and well finished, a very thin layer of balm or a suitable care wax is often enough. If the manufacturer recommends oiling before first use, apply oil according to their instructions.

Use products made for leather, not home substitutes. Don't use lard, cooking oils such as sunflower, rapeseed or olive oil, cod liver oil or any other fats not intended for leather tack. Their composition, the way they oxidise and how they behave in leather aren't designed with saddles in mind, and they can lead to unpleasant smells, rancidity, excessive softening, uneven darkening or a decline in the leather's properties. You'll find leather care products under tack care.

The most important rule: more product doesn't mean better care. The leather should absorb the product, not be saturated with it to the point of staying greasy and sticky.

4. Apply product in thin layers

It's much safer to use a small amount of product and repeat if needed than to soak the leather in one go. Spread the product evenly with a soft sponge or cloth.

With products you haven't used before, do a test on an inconspicuous spot. This matters especially for light and brown leathers, because some balms, oils and waxes can darken them noticeably.

After applying the product, give it time to absorb as the manufacturer instructs. Don't add another layer straight away just because the surface feels dry. Let the first application work evenly into the leather first, and only then judge whether another is really needed.

5. Don't treat every part the same

This is one of the most important rules of saddle care. The seat and flaps should stay soft and supple, while the billets work under very heavy load and shouldn't be softened too much. We set out what each part of the saddle needs in a separate guide on how to care for a saddle part by part.

Also take care around structural parts, glued areas and anywhere the manufacturer limits the use of oil. That's why “drowning” a whole new saddle in oil is definitely not a universal way to get it ready for use.

6. Let the product absorb

After applying balm, oil or wax, leave the saddle somewhere dry and airy. The exact time depends on the product and the manufacturer's recommendations: balm usually needs less time than oil, while oil or wax should be given time to absorb fully and for the leather surface to dry before you ride.

If excess product remains on the surface after absorption, gently remove it with a soft cloth. Only then is the saddle ready to use.

Oil, balm or wax: which to choose?

Oil is mainly for leather that is clearly dry, stiff, has been unused for a long time or needs deeper conditioning. It penetrates deeper into the leather and works more intensively, so use it sparingly and only when it's really needed. Oiling too often or too heavily can soften the leather excessively and weaken parts that need to keep a certain stiffness.

Wax or balm is generally the better choice for regular, routine care. Balm mainly nourishes and maintains the leather's condition, while wax, depending on its composition, can also form a protective layer, limit the penetration of moisture and dirt, and protect the surface from drying out and wear.

Wax is also one of the most underrated leather care products. Compared with oil it usually works more on the surface and less intensively, so it suits a saddle that doesn't need deep conditioning but does need protection and help staying supple. A good wax can:

• soften and add suppleness to leather,
• limit moisture loss,
• form a protective layer,
• make the surface less prone to dirt,
• help protect leather from sweat and moisture,
• improve the leather's appearance and give it a soft sheen.

Wax is best applied to leather that has been cleaned and, if it needs it, conditioned. As with other products, use it sparingly, because too thick a layer can leave the leather greasy, sticky or slippery. Not every wax suits every type of leather either: for nubuck, suede or specially finished leathers, always check the manufacturer's recommendations.

The simplest rule of thumb: oil when the leather needs more intensive conditioning, wax or balm when you want to maintain its condition and protection regularly. The final choice should always take into account the type of leather and the saddle manufacturer's recommendations.

Prestige and Renaissance: the manufacturer's recommendations

With Prestige Italia and Renaissance saddles, it's not worth using random products or rules borrowed from caring for other brands.

The manufacturer stresses that the leathers it uses need regular care, and it has developed its own product lines for them: cleaner, balm and oil. Prestige also clearly advises against solvent-based products and glycerine-based soaps, as they can harm the leather's appearance and properties.

That's an important difference, because glycerine soap was for many years treated as an almost universal cleaner for tack.

How to prepare a new Prestige saddle

With a new Prestige saddle, start by preparing the surface very gently. If the saddle is dusty, wipe it with a soft cloth or use Prestige Leather Cleaner. The cleaner is water-based and designed to clean leather gently without reducing its softness and suppleness. It isn't suitable for nubuck.

After cleaning, the leather should dry naturally. Prestige doesn't give a fixed drying time in minutes for the cleaner: before applying the next product, the surface should be dry and free of visible moisture, and drying isn't sped up with heat.

Then, if the leather needs conditioning, you can use a small amount of Prestige Leather Balsam or Prestige Leather Oil, spreading the product evenly. With the balm, the manufacturer recommends leaving it for a few minutes, then wiping off any residue that hasn't been absorbed with a soft cloth before the saddle is used. With the oil it doesn't give a number of minutes: it recommends applying it evenly to cleaned leather and leaving it to dry at room temperature, with the oil applied in small amounts according to the leather's needs.

The manufacturer recommends using balm and oil regularly, but also clearly warns against applying too much, especially around the fittings and on the billets. Excess product can damage or weaken these parts, so billets shouldn't be soaked in oil to soften them quickly.

What about the first oiling?

Here it's worth noting the difference between saddles and accessories. Prestige states clearly that its leather accessories are delivered without being oiled and, before first use, should be evenly treated with balm or oil and then left for about 24 hours so the product can absorb fully.

But don't automatically turn that into a rule that every new Prestige saddle must be heavily oiled for 24 hours. The manufacturer describes saddle care and accessory care separately, so for the saddle itself a moderate application, matched to the leather's current condition, is more sensible.

How to prepare a new Renaissance saddle

The principles are very similar, but Renaissance has its own line of products for the leathers the brand uses: cleaner, balm and Renaissance Leather Oil. They're designed to keep the leather soft and supple and to limit colour loss and premature ageing; you'll also find the full set in the Renaissance saddle care kit.

Before the first ride, a new Renaissance saddle is best:

1. inspected carefully,
2. gently cleaned with the cleaner if needed,
3. left to dry naturally,
4. treated with a small amount of the appropriate balm or oil,
5. left for the product to absorb fully, with any excess wiped off.

For the cleaner, the manufacturer again gives no fixed drying time: the leather should simply dry naturally before the next step. With the balm, leave it on the leather for a few minutes, then wipe off the residue with a soft cloth before using the saddle. Renaissance Leather Oil is a high-penetration oil, so the manufacturer recommends starting with a small amount matched to the needs of the particular saddle, and after application the oil should dry at room temperature.

It's a good rule in everyday practice too: better to add another thin layer than to try to “feed” new leather a lot of oil in one session. Like Prestige, Renaissance advises against solvent-based products and glycerine soaps.

What about after the first rides?

The first weeks of use are when the leather starts to settle and work naturally. After each ride, the main thing is to remove dust, hair and sweat, paying particular attention to areas in contact with moisture and the horse's sweat.

Prestige and Renaissance recommend cleaning saddles after use with the appropriate Leather Cleaner, because as well as removing dirt it helps neutralise the harmful effect of horse sweat. The manufacturer recommends applying balm or oil at least once a month, adjusting how often to conditions, season and storage. After balm, let it work for a few minutes and wipe off what hasn't been absorbed; oil should dry naturally at room temperature before the saddle is used again.

For other brands and leather types, wax can also be a very good option for regular care, especially when the leather doesn't need intensive oiling. That doesn't mean the same amount of product will suit every saddle: leather used hard in summer, exposed to sweat and heat, will have different needs from a saddle used a few times a month and stored in stable conditions.

Should you follow “deep cleaning” videos?

Online you'll find plenty of eye-catching videos of saddle “deep cleaning”: masses of foam, vigorous scrubbing and dramatic before-and-after shots. The trouble is that the amount of foam says nothing about the product's quality or whether it's safe for leather.

A product can look very impressive on video and still be too aggressive, strip the leather surface, leave residue or simply not be designed for years of tack care.

In practice you don't judge a good clean by how spectacular it looks while you do it. What matters far more is how the leather behaves after months and years of regular use of that product. Leather care shouldn't be a “show”; its job is to keep the saddle in good condition for as long as possible.

Does a new saddle need “breaking in”?

Yes, but that should happen mainly through normal use, not aggressive care. Over time the leather will soften, adapt to how the rider works, and the flaps and seat will settle naturally. In the first weeks new leather can also be noisier, as we explain in our piece on why saddles creak.

The job of proper care is to support this process, not to rush it at any cost. A well-prepared new saddle should be neither dry and stiff nor greasy and overly soft: the leather should stay springy, supple and properly protected.

Common mistakes

The most common mistake is believing that new leather must be heavily greased straight away so it “breaks in faster”. It isn't worth it. In particular, avoid:

• drowning the saddle in oil,
• oiling day after day without assessing the leather,
• heavily greasing the billets,
• using random products without checking the manufacturer's recommendations,
• using lard, cod liver oil and cooking oils such as sunflower, rapeseed or olive oil,
• applying too thick a layer of wax,
• judging a clean only by the amount of foam and the visual effect,
• drying the saddle by a radiator or other heat source,
• leaving excess product on the surface,
• storing the saddle somewhere damp or very hot.

For Prestige and Renaissance, add avoiding glycerine-based soaps and solvent-based products to that list.

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

The questions we hear most often when customers collect a new saddle.

Summary

A new saddle doesn't need an “oil bath”. It needs an assessment, a gentle clean and care matched to the leather type and the manufacturer's recommendations.

The essentials:

• The first step is inspecting the leather, not oiling it by default.
• Apply products in thin layers and wipe off the excess with a soft cloth.
• Use products made for saddle leather, not home substitutes.
• For Prestige and Renaissance, stick to the brand's routine: cleaner, moderate balm or oil, and regular care from day one.

If you're not sure what the leather on your saddle needs, bring it to the Equishop Service at ul. Oświęcimska 9 in Ruda Śląska or ask us via our contact page. A saddle in poorer condition can also be booked in for leather cleaning and conditioning at the workshop.

Saddle and tack service expert

Mikołaj Szulakowski

A specialist in saddle adjustments, conditioning and tack servicing, combining technical know-how with hands-on experience as an active rider.