Project description
I own a riding saddle that has served my horse and me for a number of seasons, and it now needs proper hands-on restoration rather than another round of home polish. The leather has dried out in places, especially around the flap and the seat, and I would like someone who understands tack construction to bring it back to a supple, safe, and presentable condition.
The scope, as I understand it, includes several distinct stages. First, a full inspection of the tree underneath the leather to confirm it has not shifted or cracked, since no amount of surface work matters if the frame is compromised. Second, deep cleaning of the leather with an appropriate saddle soap, followed by conditioning treatments applied in stages so the hide reabsorbs oils gradually rather than being oversaturated in one sitting. Third, the stitching along the flap edges, the knee rolls, and the skirt has loosened in a few spots and needs to be picked out and rerun by hand or machine with waxed thread that matches the original in thickness and color as closely as possible.
The billets — the straps that the girth buckles onto — are showing real wear near the buckle holes and I would rather replace them now than have one fail while riding. Matching stirrup leathers are also stretched unevenly and should be swapped for new ones of the correct width and thickness for the fittings. Underneath, the wool flocking in the panels has compacted unevenly over time, and I would like it checked and re-flocked or topped up so the saddle sits level and balanced on the horse's back rather than favoring one side.
I am open to suggestions on whether certain hardware — the buckles, the dees, or the billet straps themselves — should be replaced outright versus refurbished, and I would value a short written assessment before any cutting or restitching begins so I know exactly what is being changed and why. Photos at each stage would help me follow along even though I am not local to wherever the work happens.
I am not looking for a cosmetic-only refresh; I would rather pay for a job that holds up under real riding, including trail work and the occasional jump, than something that looks fine in photos but fails within a season. If you have handled similar restoration work on riding tack before, please share examples of finished pieces, an estimate of turnaround time, and how you typically package and ship the finished saddle back once the work is complete. I am flexible on exact methods as long as the leather and stitching integrity come first.
The scope, as I understand it, includes several distinct stages. First, a full inspection of the tree underneath the leather to confirm it has not shifted or cracked, since no amount of surface work matters if the frame is compromised. Second, deep cleaning of the leather with an appropriate saddle soap, followed by conditioning treatments applied in stages so the hide reabsorbs oils gradually rather than being oversaturated in one sitting. Third, the stitching along the flap edges, the knee rolls, and the skirt has loosened in a few spots and needs to be picked out and rerun by hand or machine with waxed thread that matches the original in thickness and color as closely as possible.
The billets — the straps that the girth buckles onto — are showing real wear near the buckle holes and I would rather replace them now than have one fail while riding. Matching stirrup leathers are also stretched unevenly and should be swapped for new ones of the correct width and thickness for the fittings. Underneath, the wool flocking in the panels has compacted unevenly over time, and I would like it checked and re-flocked or topped up so the saddle sits level and balanced on the horse's back rather than favoring one side.
I am open to suggestions on whether certain hardware — the buckles, the dees, or the billet straps themselves — should be replaced outright versus refurbished, and I would value a short written assessment before any cutting or restitching begins so I know exactly what is being changed and why. Photos at each stage would help me follow along even though I am not local to wherever the work happens.
I am not looking for a cosmetic-only refresh; I would rather pay for a job that holds up under real riding, including trail work and the occasional jump, than something that looks fine in photos but fails within a season. If you have handled similar restoration work on riding tack before, please share examples of finished pieces, an estimate of turnaround time, and how you typically package and ship the finished saddle back once the work is complete. I am flexible on exact methods as long as the leather and stitching integrity come first.
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