getting rid of the squeak in a new (production) saddle

[Traveller]

I'm considering buying a newish Billy Cook ranch saddle that squeaks like the dickens. I've heard of using baby powder but imagine that could mess up the leather.

So until I can line up a custom saddle that most surely will not have this unfortunate sound, does anyone have any advice on how to make my ride more quiet? (It could be a while before that custom saddle hits my horse's back....)

Thanks!

Joanne

[superchute]

well my self I would use leather new on it to deep condition it and Im shere that will stop a lot of the noise. I can tell you as old calf roper my saddle has seen more baby power the most babys bottoms and it is over 30 year old and still going good so. Other then the white power traces on the saddle it will be ok

Russell

[bruce johnson]

I have done the baby powder deal and sometimes it works OK. Friction and motion is the source of the squeak. Some leather finishes are worse than others about noise too. I usually will paste up the stirrup leather bottoms where they go over the bars, the tops where they rub under the seat jockeys, and where they contact the skirts. I mostly use Williams for this. Some guys recommend other pastes or saddle soap. I think Al Stohlman recommended vaseline in the saddlemaking books.

[JRedding]

Joanne, I'm not sure a new custom saddle will be squeak-free I've built some that squeak like a dry hinge but maybe someone has a remedy to insure they don't. As for the powder it will help immensly with the squeaking and it won't hurt anything, most of the squeak comes out of the stirrup leather area, turn it on it's back and sprinkle some in where the stirrup leathers pass over the bars. You won't even see it and it won't damage the leather.

[grumpyguy]

I've had several saddles around that squeaked. I have used neatsfoot oil and leather new with some improvement. I had one that never did quiet down though, so it's possible you'll have to work with it awhile and oil it several times to get it so it is not squeakin'. I've never used the babypowder just cause I didn't feel it was manley enough! (I could not bear to show up in cowcamp with my baby powder and be the butt of every joke for the next two weeks.)

Sometimes the saddle will squeak because the paste let go in the seat and/or the forks under the front jockeys, allowing the leather to move a slight amount while you shift your weight. In this case it won't stop no matter what you do.

[AndyKnight]

My new saddles don't squeek. If you go by the same principle that you would use for your sewing machine or any other piece of equipment you will be able to eliminate virtually all of the sqeeeking. Any parts that rub to gether need lubtication.

That is what baby powder does.which does nothing for the leather.

So what I do is use a "grease" type saddle dressing and anywhere there is liable to be friction I apply copius amounts. This includes under the skirts , stirrup leathers.etc before they are attached. I also apply it to the backside of the fenders as it is a great sweat inhibitor. I use mostly Fiebing Aussie Saddle dressing. Aussie dressing

although thers are other products that work just aswell . This has two benefits, one the customer will love you. and two , it is a huge benefit to the leather.

Another benefit is your hands will get nice and soft!!

Edited May 24, 2008 by AndyKnight

[Traveller]

Thanks for the advice, everyone!

And yes, Andy, I've ridden in a few of your saddles (Lois Hannah is a very good friend of mine and she has two of yours) and there's been nary a squeak. But these production line saddles are something else... sometimes I can hardly hear myself think!

I haven't actually settled on a saddle yet. My appy gelding has HUGE shoulders and is proving incredibly difficult to fit but I've noticed a lot of the production saddles I've had out on trial -- even the used ones -- are very loud.

And not anywhere near as beautiful as the ones so many of you folks make... ah, some day soon, I hope!