Originally Posted by Urbanmonk
Do it the natural way--I am. Bought the Team Pro in the spring, and things are barely beginning to soften. After 1000 miles, it (the seat) is starting to feel like one with me. Only when it has been sufficiently broken in will I reluctantly apply Obenauf's conditioner (which I still have in the container). Though I am a purist, I am one with a broken @##. Natural: the only way.
Cheers
This is partly missing the point. In addition to "softening" the saddle a bit, Proofhide or Obenauf's (which I use) protects the saddle from drying and cracking and waterproofs (to a degree) the exterior of the leather. There is nothing "natural" about your process; after the hide is removed from a dead cow, it is manipulated and dyed in many ways, and Proofhide or something else is applied by the user once the saddle is introduced to stress and the elements.