Saddle King

Saddle King

I just got an old saddle....?

I just got an old ranch King Western saddle that hasn't been used in years. its in great shape, just dirty and the leather has stiffened since it hasnt been used. what is the best way or routine to clean/condition the saddle?

Too bad it's not an old 'King Ranch' saddle. . .

Take your saddle outside. Hopefully it's not cold or snowing, otherwise you, a Saddle Rack and the object of this labor may be occupying your bath tub.
Using the upholstery brush of your vacuum cleaner, remove as much dust and debris from all surfaces of the saddle as possible.

Do NOT attempt to bend dry leather, the surface will crack and break.
Your saddle is THIRSTY. It needs a deep drink of WATER. Oil cannot penetrate and swell the fibers. Water can. Oil is for preserving, not suppling.

(try this for yourself: take a piece of dry , old scrap leather. cut it in half. Put one piece in oil to soak. Any kind of oil. Put the other in water to soak. Watch them both. The piece in water will bubble like an alka seltzer as it's being re hydrated.
Bend them both. Feel the difference?)

Using a spray bottle filled with tepid water, start spraying your saddle. If it has a Suede Seat, don't spray that. (If weather allows, use the hose outside, out of the sun.)

NEVER, NEVER USE HOT WATER on leather!! ( Do you wash wool in hot water. . .?)

Be prepared to refill that bottle many times. You'll be amazed at how fast it absorbs water. Be sure to spray fenders, leathers and across the bars. Be certain those parts are thoroughly soaked. When the leather flexes or bends to slight pressure, it's getting properly hydrated. When it's floppy, it's there. You can still crack or break the grain but the odds are more in your favor of not damaging your equipment.

When it takes 15-20 minutes for the surface to appear dry, no standing spots of water, you can begin to clean the saddle. Using a bucket of mild, lightly sudsy water and a sponge or very soft brush. Using a circular motion, go over skirts, jockies, fenders,every surface as many times as it takes to see a change taking place. No hard scrubbing. Clean fenders and leathers front and back, they get the hardest wear. DO NOT use Ivory or Dawn, it does not rinse well and soap dries leather.

The front rigging straps will be replaced.

If you are surprised or disappointed that this is not a 20 minute project, my apology, I had the impression that you wanted it done right.

If you're satisfied with the look of the cleaned surface, now you can add back the liquors and emollients the leather needs. LEXOL original formula, 60% Lexol 40% water, in that spray bottle. Be prepared to use most, if not all, of a quart of Lexol.

If you suppled the fenders and leathers sufficiently to take them off the saddle (without cracking or breaking) you can apply Lexol with a sponge or paint brush. Front and back.

When Lexol will no longer absorb, wipe down and buff all surfaces with soft clean cloths. Re-attach fenders and leathers and (ideally) go for a nice ride. (the flexing motions of the horse and rider help apsorption of Lexol's emollients and supples the leather)
(Assuming that dried out, broken saddle strings, etc. have been repaired/replaced.)

!! Do not dry it with direct sun, a blow dryer or in front of a heater.!!

Once the saddle surface is dry to the touch, if desired, a sealer/shine can be applied.
Tandy/Leather Factory has a 'Super Sheen' (gloss), 'Satin Sheen' (my preference), products from Fiebing's, 'Resolene', etc. These can be applied with soft cloths or the wool-tipped applcators. They do not contain the petroleoum distillates like a lacquer would.

For a suede seat, use a BRASS bristled brush and short, 'pulling' strokes to raise the nap and loosen dirt. Go back over w/the vacuum. Be careful not to cut or 'pick' the stitching.
NOTE: steel brushes are too harsh for leather.
There are several spray cleaners for suede if you want to do more than brush the seat.

Keep your saddle wiped clean, use the Lexol/water mix on the fenders and leathers (from the back side) every couple of weeks. At least once a year, give it a good deep drink from the same mix. (same as above) Never store it in direct sunlight, never store it in a damp, unventilated area or on the ground.