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Cleaning Instuctions

Step 1:
Dismantle all harness parts. Make up a solution of 3 parts lukewarm water to 1 part baking soda or Mr. Clean. Wipe down all the harness and buckles using a damp sponge. Dirt under the buckles acts like sandpaper, so be thorough. Do a complete safety check while removing soil. All stress points should be checked for excessive wear. The parts that wear the most are usually the bridle and rein billets, both due to contact with the acid in the saliva. Also look for broken loops or keepers, cut straps, cracked leather, bent tongs, broken stitching and worn buckles.

Step 2:
Leather dries out and you may have to feed it to restore its suppleness. Use a product that both you and your harness maker trust. Stay away from heavy oils and linseed products. They do not let the leather breath and will rot the stitches. If the leather does not need treating, saddle soap will make the harness more pliable and give you a fresh base to put a nice shine with harness polish. Black saddle soap is really the best for black harness. You can use Oakwood leather conditioner on brown harness.

Step 3:
Clean all the brass buckles meticulously. Try to do a really great job. Take a lot of time. The more elbow grease you put into it now the easier it will be to maintain later on. Do every nook and cranny with the brass polish you like the best and then buff up with a soft cloth to a bright luster. Check out your polishing, if the job’s not great, do it again! End off with a light coating of polish on all the buckles and LEAVE IT ON!

Step 4:
Apply black harness polish sparingly on leather, being careful not to pack it into the stitching. This is only a finishing coat. Penetration of the polish color is so minimal that the shine is strictly cosmetic and cannot harm or imbalance the pH level of the leather. Buff briskly until shiny. Use a little water when buffing.

Step 5:
Use a little soap and water on a damp sponge on the patent leather. Wipe off all excess water. Use a non-silicone spray product like Endust or Pledge to shine the patent. DO NOT use Armorall, Vaseline or brass polish on the patent leather. Never spray directly on patent- always spray on a rag, then apply.

Step 6:
Now you can wipe off the last layers of brass polish you put on the buckles, and store your harness until ready for use. Hanging it up is really the best method of storage, but you can wrap it up and keep it in a trunk as long as it is away from ammonia fumes.
 

Taking Care of Your New Saddle

Congratulations! You have just purchased the finest made saddle in the world. Please follow our cleaning guidelines to ensure safe use, long life and good looks.

 

Cleaning and Conditioning

Leather dries out and you may have to feed it to restore its suppleness. Use products that both you and your Harness maker/saddler trust. Stay away from heavy oils and linseed products. They tend to not let the leather breathe and will deteriorate the stitching. If the leather does not need treating; saddle soap will make the saddle more pliable and keep it clean.

 

Use Oakwood conditioner only to treat your saddle. This product will ensure that your saddle remains supple and keeps its tacky “grip” feel.

 

Oiling or dipping your saddle is not recommended as the oil can damage the adhesion of the grip leather to the backing leather and allow the 2 pieces to possibly separate.

 

 

Saddle Terminology

Seat   - Top of saddle

Skirt - Leather parts that cover stirrup bars

Flap   - Large piece of leather that your leg lays on

Sweat Flap - Piece of leather that the girth buckles rest on

Panel - Leather covered pads that are attached to the bottom of the saddle

Gullet   - Cut Back, 4”

Cantle  - Back of seat

Billet   - Strap that girth attaches to the girth

 

How to Measure a Cutback Saddle

Use a tape measure and measure the distance from the top of the cantle to the center of the cutback part of the saddle, not to the button.

Add 4” to the measurement and that’s the size of the saddle.

Example- Top of cantle to center of cutback is 18” plus a 4” cutback = 22” Tree

 

 

Note* Forward seat saddles are measured to the Name Nail (button) from the cantle, as flat saddles are measured as above.