Appreciating high quality natural leather involves understanding that its life is reliant on the amount of fat content it maintains. As Bates Saddles use only the finest hand selected hides from the best tanneries in the world, proper care is crucial to maximizing the performance of your Bates leather saddles. E. Hartley Edwards says;
"Leather loses a percentage of its fat content every day of its life, and just as we need food to replace our used energy so leather needs constant replenishment if it is to continue to lead a useful life. Water, heat and neglect are three main enemies with which leather has to contend. Water, particularly if it is hot in the form of sweat from your horse's body melts and removes the fat, whereas heat dries it out." (Hartley Edwards. E., 1963, Saddlery, p18-19)
To feed your leather saddle, prepare it for replenishing by using a glycerine saddle soap and a damp cloth or sponge to remove dirt and grit, which may otherwise scratch the surface. We recommend applying Bates saddle cream, not an oil, to replace the leathers fat content. Bates leather cream is scientifically formulated to penetrate the core of the leather, strengthening it, so that it remains supple and protected. Excess oil in your saddle may darken the saddle’s appearance, over soften the leather and also stay on the surface of the saddle, marking clothing.
Apply Bates saddle cream, or a wax based cream by liberally dressing the whole saddle and allowing it to soak in overnight. The overnight process ensures the maximum amount of cream penetrates into the leather keeping it supple and preventing surface wear. Acting as a sealant through its wax content the cream will assist in waterproofing and repelling sweat to keep the leather in first class condition. It should be applied particularly heavily in high wear areas, such as the top of the saddle flap where the stirrup leathers will rub. We recommend you cream your saddle liberally prior to its first use.
We do not recommend using an oil on your saddle, however if you wish to, apply it sparingly to the underside of the flap, sweat flap and skirt only. Avoid oiling the girth straps on your saddle as this will cause them to soften and stretch reducing their strength.
Cream may be applied to all areas of your saddle* including the padded inserts and girth straps as it will seal and feed these leathers without over-softening them.
Treated in this manner you will achieve the traditional, rich patina of aged worked leather and can expect years of excellent service from your saddle.
*Not suitable for Suede, or Nubuck.