Eek! My saddle has a "skin disease"...

[equito]

My saddle has a strange sort of "skin disease" on its underside that I was hoping some of the COTH experts :winkgrin: would be able to help me with. The bottom part of my saddle features a strange assortment of raised, dark bumps in a few areas (especially over padding). I can't remember exactly how long they've been there, although I'm fairly certain that they've been present for at least a year and were not there when I bought the saddle. Besides the bumps (and perhaps a need for reflocking), the saddle (about 4-5 years old) is in very good, clean, supple condition and has always been well cared for. Any input would be much appreciated. :D

Pictures:

http://i39.tinypic.com/2qjzo7b.jpg

http://i41.tinypic.com/120mger.jpg

http://i40.tinypic.com/2ljgu9j.jpg

[Risk-Averse Rider]

I believe those are what's called "jockeys" (no idea why, unless it's because they really cling to the saddle!)

aka "crud"

I will be interested to see what recommendations the leather mavens have for their removal.

The ones that I can't get off with saddle soap usually get attacked with the side of my thumbnail. Or occasionally a butter knife!

[equito]

I believe those are what's called "jockeys" (no idea why, unless it's because they really cling to the saddle!)

aka "crud"

I will be interested to see what recommendations the leather mavens have for their removal.

The ones that I can't get off with saddle soap usually get attacked with the side of my thumbnail. Or occasionally a butter knife!

Thanks! I really hope that's what they are. I hadn't encountered anything like them before so I had the idea that tack must've developed some sort of, for lack of a better word, "fungal infection". :lol: I'll see if I can scrape them off when I go to the barn later.

[mvp]

If they feel like greasy dirt, then yes, they are "grease jockeys." Those can be gently scraped off with your fingernail, or in a more complicated surgery, a tooth brush and dilute Murphy's Oil Soap.

However, they may also be the result of salt left over from sweat that soaked up through a pad. In this case, the salt dried, concentrated and changed the texture of the leather (skin!) there. Scratching these with your fingernail will reveal no extra layer of stuff, but a bump in the leather and perhaps a little dry mark.

If salt is the cause, then they are permanent. But you can condition your saddle all over to make their appearance even out in color and perhaps even lower the raised bumps a bit.

Is your saddle thirsty? The pencil roll near the pommel in the first pic looked thirsty to me. Thirsty leather is more ready to take up moisture like sweat and the salt in it. If you give it the conditioning diet it needs, it will say "no thanks" to the offer of sweat.

[goeslikestink]

My saddle has a strange sort of "skin disease" on its underside that I was hoping some of the COTH experts :winkgrin: would be able to help me with. The bottom part of my saddle features a strange assortment of raised, dark bumps in a few areas (especially over padding). I can't remember exactly how long they've been there, although I'm fairly certain that they've been present for at least a year and were not there when I bought the saddle. Besides the bumps (and perhaps a need for reflocking), the saddle (about 4-5 years old) is in very good, clean, supple condition and has always been well cared for. Any input would be much appreciated. :D

Pictures:

http://i39.tinypic.com/2qjzo7b.jpg

http://i41.tinypic.com/120mger.jpg

http://i40.tinypic.com/2ljgu9j.jpg

thats old grease which will come off if you clean it properly and saddle are surposed to be flocked yearly ok dokey

[M. O'Connor]

Those look like either spots of dirt/grime, or the beginnings of a mildew.

The former should come off with a light rubbing using ammonia solution (fill the bottom of a small bucket with HOT water, and a large-ish dip of ammonia) applied with either a rough cloth or sponge meant for use on a non-stick pan, making sure not to scrub too vigorously (you want to remove just the dirt, not any layers of leather, which will be vulnerable to excess damage when wet).

Follow up with a conditioner, ideally, glycerine soap, barely moistened with a minimum of water.

If it's mildewed, you will be able to clean the surface using the above protocol, but may not be able to rid your saddle of the little blemishes. If you aren't able to remove them, let the saddle dry completely, then spray the affected areas with original Lysol aerosol disinfectant, which will kill any remaining spores. Doing this will limit the damage to what has already occured, and keep it from spreading. Again, let the leather dry completely, then follow up with normal conditioner, ie glycerine saddle soap, and very little water.