There is a junk shop near my house
So far I have bought three second hand saddles. I enjoy restoring them, saddle-soaping them, then rubbing oil in to make them supple again and pretending I have a horse. I am not 12, I am actually 36. :/
(resurrection_mary cannibal_ferox, Thu 21 May 2009, 18:10, 2 replies)

Best of both worlds
I love the theraputic cleaning of tack (like washing a car), but the getting up at 6am to turn them out in the winter, then having to muck out a stable seems to take the edge off the enjoyment!
(Kliper Filllets Getting noticed by twats on the internet since, Fri 22 May 2009, 11:01, closed)

If you -
can avoid saddle soap much for the best - it really depends on what saddles you're playing about with, aniline or veg tan leathers really don't like the stuff - you'll be much better off if you use just water and then lovely tanin... the first few coats will pull some of the dirt out, but then you will start to see it going into the leather and you'll achieve the same result - but it's much longer lasting.
(feedingtimeatthezoo day 1 of his bikini diet started, Fri 22 May 2009, 17:57, closed)