Rudegal

Hello, I have a sewing and leather shop, so not a leather newbie but starting to take apart saddles for cleaning. I was given this old Tex Tan and decided to pull it apart even further to learn more about saddle making. So many issues... 1. Padding has formed into this weird shape making a "thigh groove." I have another old Tex Tan in the shop with the same issue and now that I have opened this up and done more research, I see what it is supposed to look like. I also see that cutting saddles have evolved with less build up in front in order to allow for more movement by the rider. However, they have high cantles and long skinny horns. So the question is, should I build the seat front back up with new padding, or can I put it back together flat or with a 1/4" pad all the way through. I'd like to replace the actual suede seat, but there is a one-piece seat/jockeys so maybe I can even get away with just a smooth leather seat. 2. As soon as I got the tooled leather wet to clean, what I believe is a finish or seal turned foggy. I used a soft bristle brush and it peels away like a glue or acrylic seal like Mod Podge or Elmers glue. However, it doesn't lift out of the deep and small parts of tooling. It is a huge PITA! I am using my fingernail and toothpicks to get pieces off. Against my better judgement, I have experimented with Isopropyl Alcohol and Acetone. Even if either of those dilute the residue, it will not just wipe or brush away and I still have to go in and pick it out. My question is what is it and how do I remove it? 3. Additionally the glue used is just disgusting and chunky. I have had to scrape it off with a razor. I had a headache this morning and made sure to ventilate the shop today, but I'm pretty sure it was because of the saddle and likely the glue. Where the seat pad was built up in the front, I rubbed it clean with my fingers and a magic eraser, but it is still slightly sticky. Is there anything I can use to remove the sticky? 4. Anything else I should know about these old Tex Tan's? The other one doesn't fit any modern horse, but this one is wider and has a really interesting skirt and cantle cut. It may be less worth restoration and more a learning process for me without purchasing all new materials to build a saddle. Thank you so much for your help!