Cleaning A Saddle

From: Horse Riding Saddles

Cleaning A Saddle
Saddles should be cleaned off after each time they are used.
The areas to pay attention to are:

The stitching on the stirrup leathers.
The quality of the leather hole in the stirrup leathers themselves as they can easily wear and split over time.
The quality of the stirrup leather ,look in particular to the crease in the leathers where the stirrup iron sits the most.
The stitching on the girth straps.
The stirrup treads, for wear.
The holes in the girth straps,making sure that they haven't split or are about to.
The all over stitching of the saddle.
The underside of the saddle for any lumps in the flocking.
Looking for any areas that need repair.

Equipment Needed

Saddle rack stand
Soap sponge.
Water sponge.
Sink or bucket.
Warm water.
Saddle soap.
Hanging hook.
Clean girth or numnah as required.

Procedure

Place the saddle onto the stand.
Remove the stirrup irons,leathers,buckle guard,girth and numnah.
Hang the stirrup leathers onto a hook.
Wash the stirrup irons and treads.

Using warm water wash the buckle guard and stirrup leathers by massaging the water sponge into the leather to remove any dirt and grease.
Then wipe over the rest of the saddle,when doing so you will have to lift up the Skirt, D rings and saddle flaps of the saddle to ensure a thorough clean then resting the saddle carefully on the pommel end tilt the saddle so that the under side can also be cleaned off.
Then slightly dampen the soap sponge and apply to the saddle soap, be careful not to apply too much water or you will just end up with a lot of froth.
Massage the saddle soap into the leather all over the saddle by again lifting up the skirt,D rings and saddle flaps. The tilt the saddle carefully onto the pommel and soap the under side of the saddle as well as doing the seat and saddle flaps.
Saddle soap the stirrup leathers and buckle guards.
Reattach the buckle guards to the girth straps.
Reattach the stirrup irons to the leathers and then secure the leathers to the bar of the saddle with the buckle secured out of the way under the skirt, then secure the end of the leather through the keeper on the saddle flap.
If required place a clean numnah under the saddle attaching attaching it securely to the girth straps.
If required place a clean girth onto the the saddle securing it to the girth straps with the buckles done up to the first and third girth straps.
Brush the girth and numnah off if you are going to reuse them as this helps prevent hair and dirt build up.
Put the saddle back onto the horses saddle rack and cover with a saddle cover or cloth for storage.
Put the cleaning equipment away neatly ready for the next time.