Scuffed/faded saddle - anything I can do?

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Crazydancer

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Good people of HHO land, I need some help! I am about to take my old boy out to a few shows this summer, in-hand to start as I value my life, but if all goes well, we should be doing some local level ridden veteran classes.
However, his saddle, which was made for him, is now 20 years old and to be honest, it looks it. Over the years it has had scuffs, scratches, worn areas, and faded patches.
Is there anything I can to to renovate it to make it look less, well, scruffy?? Just a bit of balsam/saddle soap isn't going to fix it.....

Thanks! :)
 
Carr&Day&Martin's Leather Oil followed by Gold Label's Dubbin (I don't know if there are different colours but I use a black one, even on brown tack) will do a lot to even it out.
 
Neither oil or dubbin are a good idea. If I was renovating it for a customer I would clean it really thoroughly to remove both dirt and residue of previous products. I'd start with warm water with a splash of sterilising fluid, them clean water and finally a glycerine-free saddle soap I use a microfiber cloth rather than a sponge. Once is was cleaned and stripped of old products I would condition is with a animal fat based conditioner (I make my own) which I massage in - I'd probably condition it daily for several days. The more you massage the conditioner in the better the result you will get - elbow grease is the key; there are no effective short cuts.
 
Theres someone on Facebook who takes them and renovates them. She looks to do a good job and lots of positive feedback. I think she charges £75. Let me know if your interested and I'll track the page down for you :)
 
Thanks both. Pansymouse it's not so much the condition of the leather, it's the colour. The black has completely gone in some places, and faded in others and in some areas the leather has been scratched or scuffed. I'm not sure looking at it that any amount of elbow grease is going to make a difference, but stand to be corrected if that's not the case..... I'll try and take some photos tomorrow.

Plan B involves an indelible marker pen :D and a prayer that it does what it says and doesn't come off on my jods!!!
 
Gold Label do a product called Magic Black or Black Magic, can't remember which. My saddler put a touch of this on a couple of faded areas and it improved the appearance quite a bit.
 
You can buy leather dye. I picked some up on eBay and used it on a scuffed saddle. It hasn't come off on clothing at all. It does wear off but I just reapply when I'm cleaning tack and then go over it with a leather conditioner. It's done a great job. The brand I've used is called Saddle Clinic and it's their recolour.
 
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