Asked to do some saddle repair/Don't know where to begin

[WolfWalker]

Howdy,
A lady(who happens to break and train horses) where I work found out that I was trying to learn how to work leather(and eventually learn saddlemaking), and asked me if I would be willing to try and do some saddle repair for her.  I did explain to her that I was strictly a beginner and would do the best I can.  She's doing it kind of as a favor to me so I can gain a little more experience.  Main thing is, I don't have the slightest idea where to begin.

The saddles are a pony/kid's saddle, while the other is a regular western saddle.  Both have seen some hard use, and for one need a good cleaning first(I like the smell of leather as much as anyone on the forum, but not mildew).  The saddle skirt needs resewn, along with the stirrups on one, sheepskin needs replaced, and lord only knows what else(Just got the saddles and haven't taken a full stock yet).

Right now the main thing I'm looking for is information, especially any good books on saddle repair.  I know there's the Stohlman and a couple of others, but at $80+ bucks a piece per book, there just out of my price range at the moment.  I have found a few on amazon that are cheaper plus a few others I'm going to see about next week.  Plus what would be the best way to stop the mildew spell(I've got these stored in my bedroom and its giving me a headache).

Again, I'm doing this as a favor to her and she's doinf it so I get some experience(Guess that's what the COWBOY WAY is all about), and don't have any time limit.  She even said I could take these down to the tree if I wanted. I just want to do things right.

Hope someone can help--Wolfwalker

[RollingThunder]

First off, start off with a good basic cleaning. Air compressor to blow all the crap out of the nooks and crannies (wear a ventilator mask if you think there may be mold). Once all the crap is out of there, assess what is needing redone, catalog it, and take some pictures of it, and post the results here.

There are a number of good saddlemakers on here that can help you get this critter turned back around. It's not difficult to do, so long as you take your time and pay attention to what you are doing.

Saddles aren't propulsion dynamics. Chances are, if you're willing to work at it, you can get this thing rehabbed and learn a lot in the process.

Good luck and hope to hear from you soon!

[will ghormley]

Hey WolfWalker,

Since you have to re-stitch a skirt and get rid of the mildew, I'd shuck 'em right down to the tree.  I wouldn't take the seat coverin' or cantle coverin' off, but everythin' else would go.  Start with the top layer.  On a modern saddle, that probably involves the seat in some way.  Detatch these pieces from the tree, but don't pull the seat coverin' off.  Most modern saddles I've seen aren't held together with strings any more, so that'll probably involve unscrewin' things and pullin' nails out.  Take a photo before you start.  Take a photo with every piece you take off.  When you've got the jocky's, skirts, and stirrup leathers off, that's probably about as far as you're goin' to be able to go.  Pull the fleece off the skirt, (you won't get mildew out of the fleece), and clean out the old threads.

To get rid of the mildew, the thing just about has to be taken apart to do a good job.  The parts that remain on the tree, and the tree itself, should be cleaned down.  It may not be the best thing, (because it breaks up oils), but I use a mild anti-bacterial dish soap in warm water with a rag.  Wipe down the tree and the parts that are still attached to it.  Wipe down both sides of the leather when you can reach it.  Scub on those areas that are discolored with mold or mildew.  Clean all the parts you take off in the same way.

When the saddle is dry, see if it still smells strong of mildew.  If it does, you might want to hit it again.  Then, when it's dry, re-hydrate the leather with extra virgin olive oil.  EVOO actually fights mildew.  Then, rub bee's wax into the fronts and backs of all the leather parts.  Organic bee's wax also fights mildew.

Restitch the skirt and repair what ever else needs fixin', and start puttin' it back together.  Of course, if any of the saddle is crumbling and cracking while you are workin' on it, those parts should be duplicated and replaced.

That's a pretty down and dirty explanation.  It's never that cut and dried.

Will

[saddler]

Hi WolfWalker

I'd back up the previous replies plus add:

Yes, some books ARE expensive, but a wiser man than me once said something about money thats put into guns & books never being wasted...
Besides, if you don't want to invest in news copies of books on saddle-making, either find 2nd hand ones (plenty of web-sites deal in such things) OR see what your local library has to offer (In the UK if the local library has not got the book you need they can request it from any library anywhere in Britain that does!! Maybe a similar policy in the USA in places or within states)
AND FINALLY
If ya get stuck there are plenty of folk on here to help out long distance

As Will stated - take LOTS of digital images during the strip down operation - they'll asssist your own grey matter & also others that you need advice from (pictures ARE worth 1000 words!!)

Jon

[RollingThunder]

As a head's up, when you're washing the tree down, (I use Murphy's Oil Soap and water when washing my leather, personally) don't let water get down into any holes that could go to the wood of the tree.

Of course, if this is a synthetic tree, that's less of an issue. 

[WolfWalker]

Thanks for the assist so far guys.

On the pictures, hope to get some taken this weekend(Just picked up a couple of digital cameras that are going to get a workout).  I'll remember to take photos as I go.

To Saddler,  Thanks for reminding me about my local library.  Just about forgot about being able to order books here(Though did have some old fines to pay first).  I think I put in for about every saddle making book I can find, and hopefully by next week I'll have the Dusty Johnson book and DVD, plus at least one Al Stohlman.  It's a start.

Hopefully by next week I'll have some more info and pictures for y'all.  Thanks again.