Cooter,
There are a number of good products out there. The water based stuff like saddlesoaps and glyceryn liquids will clean well but may rot the cotton thread of old leather tack and such, if used frequently. I've found this product at my local boot store to be a very good alternative to Lexol products which I've used on my saddles and tack with mixed results. This is a fairly expensive product to use on a saddle but is more practical for your use and tack. BTW, it will not darken the leather like oils (neatsfoot, etc) but still softens a bit, but not so much as neatsfoot. I've used it on a $4000 saddle as well as my boots and tack.
http://www.bootbarn.com/itemview/view/view/view/view/1919/popular/All/All/All
