r/Equestrian • u/gif_with_a_hard_g • 11h ago
Equipment & Tack Used CWD, what caused this streaking?
Hi! I just purchased a used (2024) CWD saddle. I just picked it up from the post office yesterday, and opened it to discover the seat has pretty heavy streaking. I’ve never experienced this, nor seen it on anyone else’s saddles in any of the barns I’ve been at (CWD or otherwise)
Is this something temporary? Caused by uneven absorption during the final conditioning before they sent it out? Will it be a pain in the neck to get rid of?
The saddle is 2 years old.. and seems barely used. The sale photos from the website don’t show this streaking 🤔
Just wondering if this will be a pain to get rid of or not? Already on the fence about this saddle as the rep insisted that I try this flat seat model instead of a half deep seat I originally intended to get- so I’m pretty disappointed that not only is it not the seat I wanted.. it’s also got these ugly streaks lol.
Will this be a whole process trying to get the streaks out of the leather? Or is it pretty straightforward?
Attaching photo of the streaking, as well as a copy of the only photos the rep sent me of the ad showing the seat
5
u/WendigoRider Western 10h ago
Is it streaked or creased? It looks like some kinda funky creasing to me
1
u/gif_with_a_hard_g 10h ago
Hmm it looks like maybe a bit of both?
5
u/WendigoRider Western 10h ago
Yeah that looks to me a little like the leather was bent. Was the tree checked? Crease marks to me are a red flag, but I work with westerns not English. If the tree is sound I assume it’s just some wonkey wear. Some leathers change color drastically when flexed even a little bit
1
u/gif_with_a_hard_g 10h ago
I haven’t taken it out of the box even yet.. I insisted the rep come fit it for my first ride with it- so we’ll see what she says. 🫠 is there any way for a layman to check the tree? Or would I just have to trust her on it..
3
u/WendigoRider Western 10h ago
Yes you can YouTube some techniques but it may not always be reliable. I’d definitely ask the rep. It could just be a weird color changer. I’ve seen a dark chocolate leather turn tan when flexed before.
3
u/Practical-Cucumber62 Working Equitation 11h ago
No answer but it kinda looks cool almost like a wood grain.
3
u/wolfmothar 11h ago
Leather lives and stetches and changes as it is used. And depending on the part of the body of the animal it comes from, it may have some variation. Id put it to that but you can call a rep if you have questions. I think this should only affect the colouring and surface but not performance
9
u/gif_with_a_hard_g 11h ago
for almost 4K still (used), I’d really hope for something without this kind of cosmetic variation. 🥲
2
u/AgileNetwork9375 10h ago
That is soft calfskin and probably absorbed conditioner unevenly.
I would not worry about it. Be sure to use the recommended CWD safe products.
The seat and padded portion of the flaps leather require a more delicate conditioner like Lexol conditioner vs Lederbalsm.
3
u/TangiestIllicitness 4h ago
I do leathercrafting as a hobby; this looks like the cow/calf had some stretch marks. It's interesting that they chose to use that section for the seat, but if it was a custom saddle, I could see someone choosing that hide specifically for the variation because it adds a little flair (I think it looks really cool!). It's not a defect and doesn't affect durability, but they are pretty much permanent.
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23
u/BuckityBuck 11h ago
Ask the rep, for sure. It could be a defect/natural variation, in which case I'd expect a discount. Or, it could be improperly cared for, in which case I'd expect a discount.
With a CWD, you're mostly paying for nice leather so I'd be reluctant to buy one with any leather weirdness.