Tack/Leather condition?

I am blowing up the tack forum tonight I'm sorry. But I finally have pictures to ask a few things. I replaced my billet and tie down strap with new ones yesterday. I miss my old one, but it was starting to look a bit ruff. I want it back, lol... the billet on the other hand was getting very hard. It felt like cardboard. Was the replacement needed? Also I have an old Big Horn saddle a friend gave to me. It was in a garage for a very very long time. The leather on it is flared out, and the nylon skirts always seem to fold in on itself when you put it on a horse. I changed the tie down to a leather tie down too, bc I can never seem to get it tight on the horse. Is the leather done for, or do I just need to condition the crap out of it? Is the saddle junk now? And lastly my current favorite saddle is getting rist on the decorative metal screws on the skirt. Can I replace them? If you can, is it hard to do? And when do you throw away cinches? I have one that is cut up a bit and rusted. I never have used it, but is it trash now? I'm a pack rat when it comes to tack....

Took me a second to realize you meant the latigo, when you were saying tie down, tie down to me is a piece some people use for barrel racing to keep the head down.

I say replace the hard leather straps not worth the risk of them braking in the wrong moment, it costs very little, nylon billets work fine and are cheap, but recommend using a good leather latigo. It should have enough grip on it's self that it will stay tight when tied.

I can't see why the saddle can't be used, long as the tree is fine, and doesn't irritate the horse when you ride, my old leather saddle the skirts flop downwards when not in use, but works fine. I personally would get rid of the cinch, again you can get a cheap but just as good replacement for $10 or less. Just you rust remover on the screws, just as easy maybe easier than replacing. Using cola works too.

Have you tried cpr condition I find it works great

No I havent used that, but I'll try it! I always called it a latigo, and a tie down is the leather that runs from the head to the cinch.... But my MIL was saying it was a tie down and when I ordered it, it was a tie down.... I already replace them, but I really miss my old one, lol... I bought an 8ft latigo, and it feels really short. I wish I went 10..... I am not wanting to throw the leather away! Or the belly band. I don't use them. I have three brand new ones, and I can't throw this away! LOL!

Looks like you did the right thing in replacing your straps! You would hate for them to break mid ride! Sad to say it looks like the girth is toast, the big tears in the material will create uneven pressure and can cause sores..if it was just the rusted ends I would say keep it, but those cuts/tears are a deal breaker.

For the rusty saddle screws, try using a q-tip in CLR or some other rust remover, just make sure not to get it on the leather. I would try that on a screw that isn't weight bearing first, to make sure it isn't going to cause it to loosen- the other option is remove the screws and soak them, then put them back in...but if you loose one or strip one that could be frustrating!

Best of luck!

Good idea to throw it away, saddleonline is right about the cinch, your asking for sores and galls from it. The problem with the leather once it gets that dry once you "rehydrate" it, it isn't as strong or safe as it would be if it had been taken care of in the first place. It will stretch the fibers in the leather, and could lead it to breaking. The safest things to throw it out, that way your not temped to use something that would put you or someone else at risk. With a saddle you can get away with it to some extend as long at the rigging is safe.

Calling it a tie down/latigo could be a company thing, at least we knew what your talking about.

Ok, I honestly think I want to hold on to it bc I am scared I might need it, but I will definitely be throwing it out so I'm not tempted to use it. The cinch I knew was a goner, but I feel like I'm throwing money away. I would never put it on my horse, so I don't know what the attachment is. I will save the saddle and throw out everything else. Maybe I will have a funeral first to show that I appreciated it's hard work, lol....

Are the screws real hard to replace? Bc I would like to replace them with something more decorative. Is it hard to add conchos?

Tandy sells screw conchos or a glue plus the threaded part for the concho of your choice. Give the leather parts of the saddle a good saddle soaping to replenish moisture. Maybe even vacuum the nylon parts. When you replace your straps think about what type of cinch you will use. If you go with something with webbing, then get leather tie straps. The horse needs to expand a little and all nylon has no give.

VACUUM!!! I didnt think of that! Cool!

I replaced the billet on the synthetic saddle with a nylon, but I put a leather latingo. I use neoprene cinches.