Your new Timberline saddle comes to you oiled, conditioned and ready to ride.  After a while you will need to clean and condition your saddle.  Below are step-by-step instructions to care for your investment.

Step 1 - Cleaning the Leather
Let your saddle dry slowly and naturally after use.  Use a soft brush to remove excess dirt, grit and sweat salts.  To clean the saddle we recommend using a damp, moist rag or tack sponge.  Using the least amount of water possible, go over the entire saddle removing all remaining dirt, dust and debris.  Allow to dry, then move on to Step 2.

Step 2 - Conditioning and Oiling
The amount of times you need to oil and condition your saddle has to do with how much you ride and the climate in which your saddle is kept.  If you ride a couple of hours a day a couple of times a week, you will not need to oil and condition your saddle near what someone would who rides 5-7 hours per day, 7 days a week.  Climate is also a factor.  The drier the climate, the more you need to oil and condition the leather.

There are several different oils and conditioning products out on the market today that work well.  We recommend using natural oils and creams as they are not petroleum or alcohol based which is hard on the leather and stitching of your saddle.  We recommend:

Light Cleaning/Conditioning:  Bick 1 and 4 Leather Cleaner and Conditioner.  These products will not change the color of the leather.
Deep Oil and Conditioning - Extra Virgin olive oil (great for light colored saddles), peanut oil (great oil but will darken the color of the saddle) or Dr. Jackson's Hide Rejuvenator (again, great for light colored saddles).

For your convenience, we offer the Bick products and Dr. Jackson's Hide Rejuvenator for sale.

To oil and condition the saddle, use either a piece of sheepskin or a soft cloth.  If you are using peanut oil or Dr. Jackson's Hide Rejuvenator, heat the product until it is very warm and apply.  This will allow it to penetrate into the leather and not leave a white residue.  If it does, just apply some heat to it with your hairdryer.  Use a small to moderate amount of the product to go over the entire saddle evenly.  If your saddle is extremely dry, repeat the process.  Allow to dry and then buff with a clean piece of sheepskin or soft cloth to a shine.

Step 3 - Cleaning the Skirts
Sheepskin Skirts - Take a dog slicker brush to the bottom of the skirts to remove any dirt.  Then fluff the sheepskin back up.  Doing this will keep the sheepskin looking like new.

Microfiber Skirts - Use a soft cloth and warm water to wipe the bottom of the skirts down.  You can add a little Lysol to the water if you have been riding the saddle on different horses without a pad to control any dermal or fungus problems from horse to horse.

Step 4 - Clean the Silver and Hardware
Montana conchos and horn caps only need to be wiped off with a warm damp rag as they have a coating over them.  Stainless steel hardware also only needs to be wiped down with a damp cloth to remove any dirt and grime.

Sterling silver conchos and horn caps, brass conchos and horn caps and brass hardware can be cleaned using any type of silver cleaner.  Brasso or Ever Nu can be used to bring back the sparkle to custom silver.

Note:  Take caution not to spill or get any type of silver and/or brass cleaner on the leather of the saddle as it will spot the leather.

Step 5 - Care and Storage
Always keep your saddle on a saddle rack or saddle stand out of the elements, preferably covered to avoid excess dirt and dust.  Keep it in a cool, dry climate.  Never store your saddle in a damp basement or on the ground.  Do not leave your saddle standing on it's nose for long periods of time as this will deform the leather on the front of the skirts.

Take care of your investment and enjoy it for years and years to come.

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Contact us for an appointment:

12 Tapeworm Road

New Bloomfield, PA  17068

717-582-7831

tnthorse@pa.net