Saddle shrink?

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Saddle shrink? Moderators: luluwhit, gotothewhip, cindyt, crossspur, ForumAdmin Jump to page :	Last activity 2014-12-21 9:42 PM 19 replies, 4777 views View previous thread :: View next thread
General Discussion -> Barrel Talk


rockette Reg. Jul 2013	Posted 2014-12-20 3:10 PM Subject: Saddle shrink?
Extreme Veteran Posts: 557 Location: Kansas and loving it	I bought a new saddle and dunked it in water to twist stirrups and fenders like I have on every saddle I have ever bought. This is the first time I have had one shrink! Anybody else have a saddle that fit their horse pretty good, then dunk it and the saddle won't even sit flat on her back! Yikes!
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outrundaizy Reg. Mar 2010	Posted 2014-12-20 3:11 PM Subject: RE: Saddle shrink?
Don't Wanna Make This Awkward Posts: 3106 Location: Texas	I've never heard of dunking a saddle in water....
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playinwithfire Reg. Dec 2008	Posted 2014-12-20 7:47 PM Subject: RE: Saddle shrink?
Elite Veteran Posts: 1115	What brand is it? It's possible for it to shrink up depending on the quality of leather and how it was dried. I would clean it with Murphy's Oil Soap and water and carefully apply Lexol Conditioner while working the leather through your hands. (ie. if it were reins I would roll the reins one way and then back the other through my hands) you can do the same thing with the leather on the saddle.
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rockette Reg. Jul 2013	Posted 2014-12-20 7:55 PM Subject: RE: Saddle shrink?
Extreme Veteran Posts: 557 Location: Kansas and loving it	playinwithfire - 2014-12-20 7:47 PM What brand is it? It's possible for it to shrink up depending on the quality of leather and how it was dried. I would clean it with Murphy's Oil Soap and water and carefully apply Lexol Conditioner while working the leather through your hands. (ie. if it were reins I would roll the reins one way and then back the other through my hands) you can do the same thing with the leather on the saddle. Circle y. I will try that. I hung it on a rack with stirrups and fenders twisted to suit me and the rigging shriveled up and the skirt to the point it sits completely off her back.
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Southtxponygirl Reg. Nov 2006	Posted 2014-12-20 8:13 PM Subject: RE: Saddle shrink?
A Somebody to Everybody Posts: 41354 Location: Under The Big Sky Of Texas	Why would you dunk a saddle in water? I just wet the fenders with a spray bottle of water and stick a broom stick threw the stirrups to set the leather.
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rockette Reg. Jul 2013	Posted 2014-12-20 8:16 PM Subject: RE: Saddle shrink?
Extreme Veteran Posts: 557 Location: Kansas and loving it	Southtxponygirl - 2014-12-20 8:13 PM Why would you dunk a saddle in water? I just wet the fenders with a spray bottle of water and stick a broom stick threw the stirrups to set the leather. I have done that before and it does not work as well. Especially when you have to take the the top hole to be short enough. Too much leather to mold with just a spray bottle.
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BarrelRacing4Christ Reg. Sep 2010	Posted 2014-12-20 8:41 PM Subject: RE: Saddle shrink?
Ms. Marine Posts: 4641 Location: Texas	No, can't say I have ever had that happen. Not sure why a saddle would shrink..
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cowgalsissy Reg. Dec 2008	Posted 2014-12-20 9:28 PM Subject: RE: Saddle shrink?
Too Skinny Posts: 8009 Location: LA Lower Alabama	How do you know it actually shrank? I mean the bars obviously can't so are you sure the leather didn't just dry wrinkled or something?
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rockette Reg. Jul 2013	Posted 2014-12-20 9:32 PM Subject: RE: Saddle shrink?
Extreme Veteran Posts: 557 Location: Kansas and loving it	cowgalsissy - 2014-12-20 9:28 PM How do you know it actually shrank? I mean the bars obviously can't so are you sure the leather didn't just dry wrinkled or something? The rigging through the skirt all the way to the back now sits on her back holding the entire saddle completely off of her back. It used to sit on her back almost perfectly. I have been trying to push the rigging and skirt apart on the floor. What a mess. I wish I was tall.
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cowgalsissy Reg. Dec 2008	Posted 2014-12-20 9:41 PM Subject: RE: Saddle shrink?
Too Skinny Posts: 8009 Location: LA Lower Alabama	maybe send a picture to circle y? I've never seen one shrink but I have seen them dry in odd positions depending on how it was laying.
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BS Hauler Reg. Jan 2012	Posted 2014-12-20 10:33 PM Subject: RE: Saddle shrink?
Expert Posts: 1314 Location: North Central Iowa Land of white frozen grass	I have heard of people putting them in their showers and cleaning them. I have a saddle that I got caught in the mountains one day that it rained all day and the saddle got soaked all the way thru. Road in it the rest of the day that way and after that it was the most comfortable saddle I have ever road in. I have heard of the old cowboys would always put a new saddle in the water tank and soak it and then put it on a horse and ride in it till it dried. That how they broke them in.
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cavyrunsbarrels Reg. Dec 2010	Posted 2014-12-21 6:39 AM Subject: RE: Saddle shrink?
Red Bull Agressive Posts: 5981 Location: North Dakota	Why on God's green earth would anyone dunk a saddle in water!?
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rockette Reg. Jul 2013	Posted 2014-12-21 8:09 AM Subject: RE: Saddle shrink?
Extreme Veteran Posts: 557 Location: Kansas and loving it	BS Hauler - 2014-12-20 10:33 PM I have heard of people putting them in their showers and cleaning them. I have a saddle that I got caught in the mountains one day that it rained all day and the saddle got soaked all the way thru. Road in it the rest of the day that way and after that it was the most comfortable saddle I have ever road in. I have heard of the old cowboys would always put a new saddle in the water tank and soak it and then put it on a horse and ride in it till it dried. That how they broke them in. Yes, that is who told me about it. Cowboys who spend days in the saddle. I have never had a problem before until now. But I have been putting oil on it and it is shaping up nicely!
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SaraJean Reg. Dec 2006	Posted 2014-12-21 8:56 AM Subject: RE: Saddle shrink?
Northern Chocolate Queen Posts: 16576 Location: ND	My guess is it's made from fairly low quality leather & that's why it reacted this way. What most people don't realize is that when saddles are made each piece is soaked in water to allow it to be shaped. Water should not damage your saddle......
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NJJ Reg. Jul 2006	Posted 2014-12-21 10:16 AM Subject: RE: Saddle shrink?
Fact Checker Posts: 16575 Location: Displaced Iowegian	SaraJean - 2014-12-21 8:56 AM My guess is it's made from fairly low quality leather & that's why it reacted this way. What most people don't realize is that when saddles are made each piece is soaked in water to allow it to be shaped. Water should not damage your saddle...... ^^^^ THIS....... However, water CAN damage your saddle by drying out the oils of the fibers making the leather dry and brittle. I would apply warm PURE neatsfoot oil to the leather and keep working it in. Edited by NJJ 2014-12-21 10:20 AM
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LuckyNGG'sGirl Reg. Jun 2012	Posted 2014-12-21 12:52 PM Subject: RE: Saddle shrink?
Extreme Veteran Posts: 503	I agree with SaraJean. I've never been impressed with the leather quality of Circle Y's and I would bet that's why it shrunk.
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streakysox Reg. Jul 2008	Posted 2014-12-21 1:12 PM Subject: RE: Saddle shrink?
Take a Picture Posts: 12842	cavyrunsbarrels - 2014-12-21 6:39 AM Why on God's green earth would anyone dunk a saddle in water!? I am with you on that. My Circle Y says DRY CLEAN ONLY.
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brlracerchick Reg. Jun 2010	Posted 2014-12-21 2:04 PM Subject: RE: Saddle shrink?
Thick and Wavy Posts: 6102 Location: Nebraska	I've dumped the fenders in water to twist them but never have dumped a whole saddle...
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playinwithfire Reg. Dec 2008	Posted 2014-12-21 6:15 PM Subject: RE: Saddle shrink?
Elite Veteran Posts: 1115	We have had some Circle Y saddles in the shop for minor repairs but I can't remember taking any apart for rewools or intensive repairs so I'm not sure about the structure. It may have the cardboard or fiberboard skirt stiffeners which would explain the shrinkage that you experienced. Martins and many custom saddles use leather for skirt stiffeners. The leather doesn't break down like the fiberboard or cardboard can. Again I don't know if this is the case on Circle Y. You may want to keep it on a collapsible metal saddle rack sitting on a saddle pad to help spread the skirts for a while until it retains the shape you want. I've also rolled up towels and wedged them under skirts to help with shaping. Edited by playinwithfire 2014-12-21 6:18 PM
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Rodeo_cowgirl Reg. Jan 2007	Posted 2014-12-21 9:42 PM Subject: RE: Saddle shrink?
Expert Posts: 2041 Location: home for the winter...what a dumb idea	I dunked many a saddle or power washed to clean and reshape leathers never had one shrink.....sorry about your luck
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