I purchased a 07’ Devoucoux that seemed in good condition online. When I received it, it looks good but it is a as dry as sand paper! Is this salvageable and if so, what’s the best way to proceed? Or should I send it back? It fits me and my horse so well!
Those billets are a menace and need to be replaced. For everything else, there’s leather balsam.
How much of a bargain is this? It’s salvageable but I wouldn’t put a girth on those billets and unless you expected and paid for the amount of time you’re going to spend restoring it, and the additional wait time to get new billets on it, used saddles are not that hard to find.
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Get yourself some Black Rock (Walmart sells it) or - my preference - Stubben Hamanol.
I had a 30yo Stubben sitting in my barn for at least 5yrs & calling it dry would be understated 
I brought it back to life using both above conditioners: Hamanol first, then Black Rock.
It came back to life & was donated to a theraputic program.
@Renn_aissance makes a very valid point, but my billets, while equally dry, had stitching that was still in good shape < before conditioning, I pulled mightily on all & they held.
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Would absolutely replace those billets if the saddle fit the bill on every other aspect. If the tree is sound, it fits well, then lots of conditioning balsam will revive the seat and flaps. But no way would I trust dry rotted billets no matter how much I conditioned them into looking better.
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The billets look questionable but billet replacement isn’t a big deal. If the saddle fits I’d keep it.
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I have an Hermes from the 80s that still looks pretty darn good for its age. I replaced the billets and apply Passier Leatherbalm to it, let it sit over night and then buff it off the next day. Love that saddle… wish it fit my horse still.
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How does the foam feel in the panels? If the saddle sat someplace exposed to the elements to dry out, that could not only create safety issues with the billets and cosmetic issues with the leather but also potential issues with the panels.
If you love this saddle and it’s cheap enough, sure, why not try to revive it. But if this is just “a saddle” I personally wouldn’t bother. It’s some risk and hassle for something that you could find elsewhere in good condition. This saddle isn’t RARE.
To me, that’s the biggest question. You can replace the billets and condition the leather but the foam in those panels is 15 years old. Also, are you sure the tree is still fine?
Thank you everybody! I’ve decided the can of worms isn’t worth the cost of the saddle so I’m sending it back! On the hunt again 
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