I got a horse and a old saddle with it.I do not know a thing about cleaning and care of a saddle,help please.s.w.Mo.

-- snow white (gawmonk@misn.com), March 01, 2002

Answers

Make a strong solution of Murphy's oil soap and lukewarm water and use terry cloth to get it clean. The leather can be damp, but no soaking wet. When it is almost dry, use Leather Therapy oil on it, or if you can't find that, use PURE neatsfoot oil. Make sure it says PURE. Neatsfoot oil "compounds" have petroleum products added and can rot stitching.

-- Debbie in MO (risingwind@socket.net), March 01, 2002.

saddle soap,, made for leather cleaning

-- Stan (sopal@net-port.com), March 01, 2002.

Saddle soap will clean and protect the leather and neatsfoot oil will darken the leather but is an excellent leather treatment, if you don't mind the darkening aspect of it.

-- BC (desertdweller44@yahoo.com), March 01, 2002.

Before you try using it, check it over thoroughly! Check the cinch, any rings or buckles, and any piece of leather that takes any stress whatsoever. Leather rots, and no matter how well you clean and care for it after the fact, you could have a nasty/fatal accident if it fails you at the wrong moment. If you're not certain what you're doing, get someone knowledgeable to check it for you. Same goes for the bridle and halter if they came along with the horse.

-- Lenette (kigervixen@webtv.net), March 01, 2002.

Was also told by a horse trainer to take it outside and hose it down with a HOSE! Wash it very well with scrub brush (stay away from suede) and a good soap. DO NOT put any Neatsfoot or Lexol on suede. It absorbs and then the suede will always leach oil. Lexol is good for light leather and Neatsfoot is good for darkening/dark leather. I agree to check ALL the rigging. There are all kinds of rigging. 3/4, full, etc. Check on line for more info. Or go to the library and get a good tack book. Make SURE you clean off all the sweat/foam from old leather. Any cracks or "checks" should be evaluated by a leather expert. Getting kicked in the head or dead from a failed saddle is not a good thing. ABSOLUTELY get a new cinch if the old one (rope) has ANY broken/frayed ropes. Good Luck!

-- Gailann Schrader (gtschrader@aol.com), March 01, 2002.

By "check it over" that means pull HARD, jerk in all directions, look for any stress marks, any cracks or stretching that doesn't fit the form of use, any sewing that is undone, check the underside as well as the top, this should be done for the working parts [the flexable parts that get stress/weight put on them] every time you use the saddle/bridle/harness etc,.

-- Thumper/inOKC (slrldr@yahoo.com), March 01, 2002.

Leather New is awesome stuff. Just spray in on and rub it in until the leather can't soak up any more. It doesn't take long with that stuff.

-- Rebekah in BC (rebekah_swinden@hotmail.com), March 01, 2002.

You might also consider taking it to a Saddle maker for an overhaul. They can check all the stress points and repair much. Price is usually reasonable especially for your safety! Also replace that cinch. Check carefully for any fraying cords. When I was riding many hours I routinely replaced cinches and latigos. Just to stay safe, probally replaced many that would have lasted many hours more. But out on the trail with broken equipment is no fun! Denise

-- Denise K. (Rabbitmom2@webbworks.com), March 01, 2002.

Thank you all for the help on the saddle. yes it will need a new girth belt,some raw hide ties but allin all it was just dusty and dry. now i remember why I use to ride bare back as a teen. thanks guys swMO

-- snow white (gawmonk@misn.com), March 02, 2002.

Clean with saddle soap or murphy's oil soap. Set in sun. Put neatsfoot oil in can with paint brush and paint it every hour or two until supple.

-- Stacia in OK (OneClassyCowgirl@aol.com), March 02, 2002.