How to Restore Western Saddles

A new western saddle can set you back a thousand dollars or more, but you can save a lot of money by purchasing a used one instead. You can save even more by looking for a western saddle that needs a bit of tender loving care. Many saddles that look bad can be restored to like-new condition with a few dollars worth of materials and a few hours worth of hard work.

Things You'll Need

  • Soft cloths
  • Warm water
  • Saddle soap
  • Leather conditioner
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Instructions

    • 1

      Examine the condition of the sheepskin lining on the underside of the saddle. Take the saddle to a saddle maker or saddle shop if the sheepskin is torn or ragged. The sheepskin can be repaired if the majority of it is still in good condition. If not, the saddle maker can remove the old sheepskin and replace it.

    • 2

      Dampen a soft cloth with warm water, then dip it in a can of saddle soap. Work up a good lather and rub it onto each section of the saddle. Pay particular attention to heavily soiled areas and parts of the saddle that withstand hard use, like the stirrups and stirrup leathers.

    • 3

      Allow the saddle soap to soak into the saddle's leather surface. Wipe away excess saddle soap with a soft cloth. Clean the saddle with saddle soap again until all old dirt is removed.

    • 4

      Wet a soft cloth with a quality leather conditioner and slowly work it into the surface of the leather. Work on one section of the saddle at a time, making sure that each section is well coated before moving on to the next. Allow the leather conditioner to soak into the leather for at least 15 to 20 minutes.

    • 5

      Wipe away leather conditioner that has not soaked in completely. Use a soft cloth to wipe the saddle clean.