Mildew spots on saddle?

[katiegrace]

I’m busy looking for a new saddle after mine was stolen

The search has been pretty frustrating so far, nothing I’ve tried has felt great. CWD has loaned my barn a saddle while we try to find new ones, and surprisingly that’s my favourite so far! Fits me great, fits my horse great!

Unfortunately, it’s got mildew spots on all the areas with foam… CWD will be replacing the panel, but there’s a little bit of the seat and on the knee rolls. The look of it doesn’t bother me too much, since it’s such a comfortable saddle, but I don’t want to buy it if the mildew could deteriorate the condition over the next few years…

Does anyone have any experience with this, or any ideas on how to get rid of the mildew? I’m obviously still looking for other saddles in the meantime, but I thought I’d see if there’s a way to fix the saddle I really like!

[merrygoround]

I suspect it’s more like common garden variety mold. Mold is very fond of well oiled leather. It is easily cleaned with a mild soap and water, and sunlight.

I have’t known it to shorten life of leather.

[STA]

First, if the spots are on the seat - I hope your bottom is in the seat and not on the ground. In other words who will see the spots.

I used a VERY SOFT tooth brush with leather balm after a good cleaning and similar spots were gone. If the saddle gets moldy again they come back, but using the same method they went away again.

Good luck.

[Trixie]

White vinegar. Either diluted or not so diluted. Wipe saddle down, set in sun.