[expand]The cleaning was regular necessity. Sweat, dirt, and oils accumulated on leather, requiring removal preventing degradation. The typical cleaning used water and mild soap, scrubbing with stiff brush, thorough rinsing, then careful drying avoiding direct heat or sun that could damage leather. The frequency depended on use intensity—daily riding required weekly cleaning, occasional use allowed longer intervals.
The conditioning maintained leather suppleness. Various oils or fats were applied—animal fats, vegetable oils, beeswax mixtures—penetrating leather, replacing natural oils lost through use and cleaning, preventing drying and cracking. The over-conditioning made leather tacky and weak, under-conditioning caused brittleness. The experienced leather worker judged proper conditioning by appearance and feel, applying just enough to maintain optimal condition.
The repairs addressed damage before catastrophic failure. Worn stitching was replaced, torn leather was patched, stretched components were re-shaped, cracked areas were treated with extra conditioning. The timely repair extended saddle life dramatically compared to neglected equipment that failed suddenly. The warrior who maintained equipment meticulously rarely experienced combat-time equipment failure, while careless warriors sometimes died when saddles failed during critical moments.
The replacement recognized irreparable deterioration. Eventually even well-maintained saddles wore beyond repair—leather thinned through abrasion, stitching holes enlarged preventing secure attachment, tree framework cracked or loosened. The replacement timing was judgment call balancing continued serviceability against risk of catastrophic failure. The prudent warrior replaced saddle while still functional, keeping old saddle as emergency backup rather than riding equipment until failure.
[/expand]