Jessica Jahiel's HORSE-SENSE Newsletter Archives

Re-colouring saddle

From: Deirdre

Hi, Jessica,

Thanks for providing such a wonderful forum to learn all things equestrian. I really enjoy the articles.

I read the archives for information on preserving tack and you mentioned neatsfoot oil will darken lighter colour leathers. Shall we say I have a rather "experienced" saddle which is in good condition. Unfortunately it has lost most of its colour and looks very gray. Can the leather be re-dyed to perk up the appearance? If so, is this something that would have to be done professionally, or could it be done oneself? I have heard there are leather treatments available which have a bit of a stain in them. I do not, however, want something that will bleed out and ruin light coloured breeches. Do you have any suggestions? Thanks.

Hi Deirdre! I sympathize with you - I have several such saddles. Over time, they do, often, become faded and greyish or mottled and stained.

The problem with trying to recolour the leather is twofold. First, you'll only be colouring the surface, so even the best results won't come close to the look of a new saddle. Second, "experienced" saddles have had, over the years of use, built up considerable familiarity with cleaning and conditioning products, and even with oil. This means that the new colour you put on the surface of the saddle will not only go on unevenly, but is unlikely to stay where you put it. At the slightest provocation, the dye will transfer itself from the saddle to whatever is in contact with the saddle - usually your nice clean white saddlepad or your nice clean white or buff breeches. I wouldn't attempt to use the products with "some dye" in them, either - I know of one woman who tried to rejuvenate her faded saddle in this way, and four years after the attempt, there is still enough dye coming out of the seat to stain her breeches.

I think that if you really want to re-dye your saddle, you're probably out of luck, but there is one more thing you can try: Contact the firm that made the saddle, and ask the people who know exactly how your saddle was made and how the leather was dyed intially, and who can give you the best advice. The answer you get will almost certainly be "Not a good idea, don't even think about it", for all the reasons listed above, but at least if you hear it from the people who made your saddle, you will be certain that your concerns WERE well-founded, and you'll be able to let the idea go. Plus, you'll be saved from ruining your saddle pads and breeches. ;-)

Good luck!

Jessica

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