Tips for saddle care

Turning stirrups
When you first get your new western saddle, the stirrups are often not turned, and so will feel like your ankle is being twisted in a way that is not good! The way around this is to turn your fenders. You do this by lpacing the saddle on a saddle rack or similar. Twisting the stirrups round in the correct direction, and sticking a pole through both stirrups to hold them there. It is better if you have time to leave them for a week like this. If you can leave them that long you will not need to use water and leather conditioner. If you need to turn them quickly - soak the back of the fenders with water, when nearly dry follow with two coats of leather conditioner. Twist and put the pole through. This should take around 24-48 hours but is not ideal as it is not good for leather to be wet.

Stopping saddle squeak
Most new saddles squeak. If you have had enough of the squeak, there is something you can do about it. Get a thick blanket, baby powder, and the saddle. Turn the saddle upside down and generously puff baby powder into every leather-on-leather area you can find. Once done, pick the saddle up and bang it down a number of times to ensure the powder is getting right in the crevices. Then repeat the whole procedure. This should be enough to stop the squeaking for good.

Cleaning & care
Pullman & Continental Saddles are known for their rugged durability and beauty. Reasonable care will ensure a lifetime of fine service. Below are some tips:

1. Keep your saddle clean. According to the use of your saddle, you should clean it regularly throughout the year with saddle soap. After cleaning, use Fiebing's Neatsfoot Oil 100% to replenish the life preserving oils in the leather. Do not oil a suede seat, but don't forget to oil your off-billet. In wetter climates these steps should be repeated more often.
2. Waterproof your saddle. Only the best skirting leather has been used, which has been properly tanned to resist the damaging effects of rain. Even so, to further guard against moisture damage, waterproof your saddle with Fiebing's Aussie, a special formula that conditions, restores and preserves finished leather while repelling water and dirt.
3. Never use your saddle for purposes other than those for which it was designed.
4. Never set a saddle on its horn without a protective horn cover. Please care for your leather horn with leather-fat, don't oil it.
5. Check all the service parts such as tie-straps, off-billets and stirrup leathers before every ride. These items are forced to endure great amounts of wear & tear and stress.
6. Use special care in the treatment of the genuine sheepskin underneath your saddle (if applicable). It must be protected from over exposure to moisture, direct sunlight, rodents, and insects. You should store your saddle "high and dry".