Storing saddle's, HELP!!

[ex racer rider]

Due to no longer having a horse i will be storing my leather saddle for a good while untill i get another. How would you all suggest i store it?
In a saddle bag on a saddle stand at home?
Add some product and keep it without a bag?

How would you store yours to prevent it going moldy or rotting?

Thanks in advance. Leah.

 

[kerilli]

mould isn't bad actually, believe it or not. it's the leather drying out too much which is the problem. i'd probably wrap it in a cotton sheet and leave it upright on its front in a coolish room, and apply Effax (the brown one) occasionally. i store my spare saddles in my tackroom (which has very slight heating in winter) and they're fine for years. if it's going on a saddle stand or rack it needs to be the type that suspends it along the gullet only, nothing that the panels will be resting on, as they will take the imprint of what they rest on... this is impossible for a saddler to get rid of, needs whole new flocking if it happens. (modern saddle racks are v badly designed basically!)

 

[Goldenstar]

we wash ours really thoughly to remove all grease as this is where the mould starts and if it will be a short put away soap well if it's likely to be a long time I use kochalin apply lightly and worked well in. We keep them in saddle bags or use a saddle cover or covered with large towels in the attic.

 

[Goldenstar]

Agree with kerilli about the saddle racks I don't store them on them.
In the tack room I have put pipe insulation on the saddle racks it does stop the saddles getting marked by the racks.
My fantasy tack room has wooden ones.

 

[ex racer rider]

Thanks for your replies, I wouldnt be using a 'modern' saddle rack as they do dent the flocking and dont want to have to shell out for a reflocking lol. And kaolin lether dressing?
Would you say a saddle bag or just a fleecy saddle cover would be best?
thanks

 

[Abbeygale]

I would just do the fleecy saddle cover. I don't know what type of saddle bag you have but most of them I've seen are waterproof - and so won't be that breathable. I would prefer to leave the fleecy saddle cover on and let it breathe

 

[ex racer rider]

Thanks abbeygale, I dont have either so was planning on buying one as at the mo the saddle is living on the banistair and needs moving lol so I was looking through my options and if you think it would be best I think I shall go with a fleecy

 

[sbloom]

I would consider wrapping it in a sheet - cotton is always recommended in the form of an old pillow case for bridles etc. I would take mould seriously - once the spores are into the nooks and crannies there is no way to get them out - dry leather can be restored to a certain extent - neither condition is good. I would condition with something like Effax Lederbalsam (Leather Therapy brand conditioners have phenol in which helps inhibit the growth of mould so might be worth getting hold of) and checking every few months. Keep it somewhere not too cold and not subject to condensation in any form - some low level heating and ventilation is optimal though my spare stuff in a cold attic, well ventilated, is doing fine after 18 months.

 

[Devonshire dumpling]

I use a saddle pole, http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Metal-Pol...ies_SM&var=&hash=item9503e5f6db#ht_2418wt_952