BALANCE saddles are expertly hand-crafted and are of excellent quality. As such, if cared for well they should last 20 – 30 years at least, but if left neglected and unconditioned, its life will be drastically shortened.
When left unconditioned, leather gets dry and will lose its elasticity. It will also fade more quickly and lose its original colour. Dry leather can be prone to cracking and breaking, which may lead to a safety issue as well. So, conditioning and caring for your saddle well will protect your financial investment and will keep it safe to use as well. The manufacturers are clear that poor management and care of the leathers in their saddles can nullify their warranties.
The frequency of conditioning depends on how often the saddle is used and the climate it is stored and used in. Hot, dry climates tend to dehydrate leather quickly and make the need for conditioning more frequent, but remember that whenever an oil is used to condition the leather, it should always be followed by using a more waxy, thicker product to seal the surface.
It is also possible to use too much oil and conditioner on good quality leathers, making them lose their strength and become too soft. No more than once a week in climates with extreme temperatures and usually around once a month in more temperate climates, in between normal cleaning.