TackCollector

If it's smooth leather, I wipe it down with Lysol disinfectant wipes or any Dollar General or Family Dollar knockoff. I found that really works and the mold doesn't come back. I had tack in storage, I was only in back in town for a day or so, found green hairy mold on stirrups and fenders, and I didn't have time to properly clean it, so I hastily wiped it down with the Lysol wipes that I keep behind the seat. To my amazement, it didn't hurt the leather, strip the color, or do anything undesirable. 18 months later, saddles are still stored in the same place but mold has not returned. I'm not sure what would happen on "new" roughout that is still dry, porous, and rough. But it should be okay on older stuff that had worn a little smooth and has been oiled some.

It looks like an Argentina saddle to me. Cantle cover (see pic for example; this is from CWD) or the other thing I've seen in English saddle repair books is slip a piece of leather underneath there, smooth it out, glue it, and pinch up the seat edges as close together as possible while it's druing. Then take a wax pencil and fill in the gap with wax afterward. I can see where the cap might be faster, lol.

Can anyone suggest what type of rancher saddle that Clint Gibson is? Association tree or what? Or know how to track down the maker?

This is the Circle Y. Bullhide tree, not that Kevlar thing. What do you think is a fair price for it? Tag is 2722-2-0202 on the top line, and 1504 on the second line. Has 28" square double skirt and a rawhide wrapped tree. Circle Y said: The model #2722 was a hardseat roping saddle that was built on a rawhide covered wood tree with a semi-quarter horse bars. The color is regular oil.

http://s889.photobuc...King_RancherRO/ (more pics in that album) That's the saddle. The stamp on the back says Clint Gibson, Big Horn, WY. Big Horn is not far from Sheridan, so I am uncertain whether this was made as an independent or as an employee of Don King's Sheridan shop. I can't find any contact information online for Clint Gibson. I want to sell this saddle, or else sell my Circle Y rancher instead. I get all kinds of Qs from people who want to know what tree is in this, who made it, has it been roped off, etc. Well, it's a 50# saddle and a rawhide covered tree. I am the second owner. The first owner bought it brand new in WY and used it for some trail riding. Does anyone have any idea how to advertise this saddle? I am in PA, and ranch saddles are unknown here. If it's not a cheap Circle Y Flex or High Horse or American, they don't want it here. But I don't know anything about true rancher saddles, their tree types, and what's used for what. I also bought this for trail / training use, and just because I wanted to sit in an old fashioned upright position and not ride a cheap POS, haha. Neither fenders nor leathers have been cut. I am 5'1" and the stirrups are actually a bit long for me, shortened up as far as they go. Does anyone have any ideas about what this model's tree / style of rigging / strengths / purpose / weakness / fair selling price are? I presume this would cost at least $2500 - $3000 new. Am I too far off? Thanks!

Don't use suede unless the customer specifically wants it. Smooth leather is in vogue now, and suede is out of fashion. (I am not a saddle maker, lol. I just dropped in to read.)