Saddle Fell In The Water Trough

[The Farmers Daughter]

Accidents will happen and we had one today. There was a saddle on the fence rail that took a tumble into a horse trough. The upside to this is that all the dust came off. The downside is that it is soaked through. I dried it with a towel and have it setting on a rack in a breezy shaded spot. So these are the questions I need advice with.

1) How can I tell when its completely dry, including the tree?

2) Once it is dry, what would the best steps be to bring it back. Fortunately the leather is good and well cared for.

How would you proceed?

Thank you

[Randy Cornelius]

Was the water in the tank fairly clean, if so you may not be in too bad shape. Let it dry for a couple days, bring it in at night. Assess the damage after it is dry. I might suggest a complete tear down to inspect the tree to make sure it is not damaged. That way all the parts can be cleaned and oiled as needed. It may have some water spots caused by the water in the tank but a good cleaning and scrubing should help.

Let us know how it turns out and maybe a picture or two.

[The Farmers Daughter]

Was the water in the tank fairly clean, if so you may not be in too bad shape. Let it dry for a couple days, bring it in at night. Assess the damage after it is dry. I might suggest a complete tear down to inspect the tree to make sure it is not damaged. That way all the parts can be cleaned and oiled as needed. It may have some water spots caused by the water in the tank but a good cleaning and scrubing should help.

Let us know how it turns out and maybe a picture or two.

Thanks Randy. The tank was just cleaned and the water brand new. so no worries there. The saddle is an old Circle A with rawhide wrapped tree and wool fleece (eeek ~ I hope it doesn't shrink). My big fear is conditioning it when it may not be fully dry and then the whole thing molds. That would be disastrous. How will I know when its completely dry? The leather feels more cold then dry, if that makes sense. How can you tell if the tree is dry? Should I wait a good week before conditioning it or longer maybe? I will see if I can get pix up here.

[The Farmers Daughter]

I am probably worrying needlessly. I remember hearing about how the old time cowboys would toss their new saddles in the trough and ride em dry to break them in. Never knew if that was true or an old wives tale.

[jwwright]

How long was the saddle in the tank? On a decently made rawhide covered tree, it would have to soak for a long time to begin to soften up the rawhide. Unless the saddle stayed in the tank for an entire day or two, I don't think you have any problems . Just let the saddle dry for a few days, and then give it a moderate oiling with 100% neatsfoot, olive oil, or what ever you like. JW

[The Farmers Daughter]

How long was the saddle in the tank? On a decently made rawhide covered tree, it would have to soak for a long time to begin to soften up the rawhide. Unless the saddle stayed in the tank for an entire day or two, I don't think you have any problems . Just let the saddle dry for a few days, and then give it a moderate oiling with 100% neatsfoot, olive oil, or what ever you like. JW

By the time I noticed it, I would say an hour max.

Do I need to worry about the fleece or the seat padding or the tree warping or ???

btw, nice looking Grey you got there!

[jwwright]

I don't think that the rawhide would have softened enough to cause tree warpage in that short of time. I would just let the saddle dry in a low humidity situation, and then look thing over and oil. JW

[bruce johnson]

I am probably worrying needlessly. I remember hearing about how the old time cowboys would toss their new saddles in the trough and ride em dry to break them in. Never knew if that was true or an old wives tale.

At least in some cases it was true. Some of the old saddles didn't have the leathers turned or the skirts blocked to the bars. They wet it and rode it to set the stirrup leathers and try to sink the bars into the skirts and set them a little too. Not unlike the way some guys break in Whites boots.

BTW, I like your quote at the end of your posts. I collect cowboy poetry among other old books and "Songs of Horses" is one of my favorite collective books. I haven't seen that particular poem in any other book. I wish someone could attribute an author to it because I think it is a great piece of writing. I have heard Randy Rieman recite it at a show, and it is on one of his CDs. He does a wonderful job on it.

[The Farmers Daughter]

At least in some cases it was true. Some of the old saddles didn't have the leathers turned or the skirts blocked to the bars. They wet it and rode it to set the stirrup leathers and try to sink the bars into the skirts and set them a little too. Not unlike the way some guys break in Whites boots.

BTW, I like your quote at the end of your posts. I collect cowboy poetry among other old books and "Songs of Horses" is one of my favorite collective books. I haven't seen that particular poem in any other book. I wish someone could attribute an author to it because I think it is a great piece of writing. I have heard Randy Rieman recite it at a show, and it is on one of his CDs. He does a wonderful job on it.

Thanks Bruce. Funny you should mention the quote. Its one of my favorites and despite exhaustive Google searches, I can not find the author. Everything I find comes up "Anonymous". Its a shame that a fine piece of writing should go without proper credit.

[The Farmers Daughter]

UPDATE -

Today is sunny and breezy so, I have it outdoors and this is day 3 after the soaking. At first I was hopeful, but now its showing signs of mold on the fenders already. Now what? Should I wipe it down with vinegar?