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Posted

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

"Look back on our struggle for freedom,

Trace our present day's strength to it's source;

And you'll find that man's pathway to glory

Is strewn with the bones of a horse"

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Posted

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.

Randy Cornelius

Cornelius Saddlery

LaCygne, Kansas

Randy & Riley Cornelius

Ride Hard, Shoot Fast and Always Tell the Truth...

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Posted

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.

"Look back on our struggle for freedom,

Trace our present day's strength to it's source;

And you'll find that man's pathway to glory

Is strewn with the bones of a horse"

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Posted

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. :blahblahblah:

"Look back on our struggle for freedom,

Trace our present day's strength to it's source;

And you'll find that man's pathway to glory

Is strewn with the bones of a horse"

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Posted

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

www.jwwrightsaddlery.com

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Posted

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!

"Look back on our struggle for freedom,

Trace our present day's strength to it's source;

And you'll find that man's pathway to glory

Is strewn with the bones of a horse"

  • Members
Posted

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

www.jwwrightsaddlery.com

  • Moderator
Posted

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. :blahblahblah:

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.

Bruce Johnson

Malachi 4:2

"the windshield's bigger than the mirror, somewhere west of Laramie" - Dave Stamey

Vintage Refurbished And Selected New Leather Tools For Sale - www.brucejohnsonleather.com

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Posted

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.

"Look back on our struggle for freedom,

Trace our present day's strength to it's source;

And you'll find that man's pathway to glory

Is strewn with the bones of a horse"

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Posted

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?

post-12483-028578200 1303409097_thumb.jp

"Look back on our struggle for freedom,

Trace our present day's strength to it's source;

And you'll find that man's pathway to glory

Is strewn with the bones of a horse"

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