DIY How Do I Restore an Old Damaged Horse Saddle

New saddles can be very expensive, costing hundreds or even thousands of dollars. You can save yourself a lot of money by purchasing an old saddle in need of restoration. As long as the structural integrity of the saddle is good, you can restore it to its former beauty with some time and hard work. Once that saddle is shined and restored, no one need ever know it is not brand new.

Things You'll Need

  • Saddle stand
  • Soft cloths
  • Saddle soap
  • Neatsfoot oil
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Instructions

    • 1

      Turn the saddle over and examine the sheepskin underneath. If the sheepskin is torn or ragged, you should have it replaced by a saddle maker. You can do this either before or after you restore the rest of the saddle.

    • 2

      Place the saddle right side up and hold it with the front part of the saddle resting against your thigh. Pull sharply on both sides of the saddle at once. If you feel a movement in the middle of the saddle, the tree may be cracked or broken. If you suspect a broken or cracked tree, you should take the saddle to a saddle maker to have the tree replaced.

    • 3

      Set the saddle on a saddle stand or other sturdy surface. Dampen a soft cloth and dip it in saddle soap. Go over the entire surface of the saddle to remove any surface dirt. If the saddle has been in storage for a long time, a great deal of dirt could have worked its way into the leather.

    • 4

      Leave the saddle soap on each section of the leather for 5-10 minutes, then wipe it away with a clean dry cloth. Continue to clean the saddle in this manner until all surfaces have been cleaned. Repeat the process as often as necessary until the cloth you use to wipe away the saddle soap comes back clean.

    • 5

      Wet a soft cloth or a sponge with neatsfoot oil and work it thoroughly into the leather using a circular motion. Allow the neatsfoot oil to soak into the leather, then add more as needed. When you have sufficient neatsfoot oil on the leather, the saddle should appear shiny but not feel wet or greasy.

    • 6

      Apply the neatsfoot oil to each section of the saddle, allowing it to soak in deeply before moving on to the next section. Repeat this process until the leather is soft and supple. Depending on how badly damaged the saddle is, this process could take a few hours, days or weeks. Continue working with the saddle and evaluating the suppleness of the leather each time you clean it.