How to clean up a damp saddle that smells?!

[kit279]

I've just inherited a dressage saddle from a friend and really like it and it fits the nag beautifully but I think she hasn't looked after it terribly well. It looked like it had been cleaned (i.e. wet) and then stored slightly damp and it has a funny smell that is making my tack room smell too!

Is there any way to clean it up and dry it out so it doesn't smell any more? Should I use saddle soap yet or let it dry out a bit more? Currently, it has been drying out indoors in my tackroom for about 5 days. Can anyone recommend something to treat the leather? Thank you!

 

[stencilface]

I kept my saddle mistakenly in a damp cupboard, and only noticed there was a problem when the tree was creaking (I thought my saddle was broken!

)

I would leave it somewhere thats dry but not too dry and hot, and regularly clean it with a barely damp sponge. Seemed to work ok on mine

 

[Faberge]

I wouldn't use saddle sop on it at all - try this stuff - it makes tack all lovely and supple bot not sticky. Plus it smells lovely so should combat that problem too!

http://www.windgatesaddlery.com/p-860-effax-lederbalsam.aspx

 

[seche]

soap isnt very breathable and if its been damp it needs to breathe - I would keep it in the house - but not near a heater for a few days to de-damp it. then leather balsam is the best stuff for leather ( I think ) lucky you being given a saddle!!

 

[CBAnglo]

I would dry it out first, then treat with a balsam like Stubben Hamanol.

If it is as damp as you say, check the tree hasnt warped or anything (if wooden). I have seen many wodden trees warped from inappropriate storage.

 

[MrsMozart]

Albion makes a nice balm. I keep my saddles in the office, and on a bannister in the house (makes a great saddle rack lol). The tack that's in the tack room comes home every now and then for a break, and to get warm and get rid of some atsmospheric type moisture.

 

[TarrSteps]

If you don't want to have the saddle in a heated area of your house because of the smell you could initially put it in a box with a desiccant product such as http://brownell.co.uk/products/category/57 and perhaps an odour neutraliser. Then, when it's relatively dry, treat it accordingly with the beeswax products or similar. I wouldn't use any of the sealant products while it's still damp though - it may initially look better but I've seen people do this and the damp gets sealed in and comes back with a vengeance.

I don't know if there is an equivalent in the UK but I have used a product specially designed to treat damp/mouldy tack before, to kill the mould spores. It's no doubt highly toxic but effective.