How to Restore a Vintage Circle Y Saddle that has spent a few years in the barn

[@gamergirl209]

I have a saddle that i've cleaned once in the last ten years after sitting. Wanted a refresher to see what I could do better than the last time. Glad to see a saddle similar to what i'm working with and the potential I can acheive!

[@lonestarwoman]

Thank you for your comment. Let us know how it turned out when you get it done. Good luck

[@robjohnson6747]

I just cleaned up my old circle y my dad bought in 1977 . It had a lot of white mold but with vinegar/water and brushes it looks much better ! I need to get some conditioner because I definitely want it to shine as much as possible! Thanks for the video !

[@lonestarwoman]

Thank you so much for your comment. Since the weather is older and very dry you can probably get away with just adding a couple of layers of linseed or needs food oil, until you can get some good conditioner. Conditioners really expensive, but it can be worth it I'm a big fan of skidmore's. You can buy it on Amazon.

[@margrose5]

Very helpful! Lots of detailed information. I have two old saddles to work on, and the way you broke it down step by step, I don’t feel so overwhelmed now! Thanks.

[@dokucandy796]

This was super informative and that saddle looks absolutely stunning! Thank you so much!

[@RobbyScandal]

This was sooo helpful I have a couple old heirloom saddles and had no idea what to do with them looks like I will clean them up and wait for a horse lol

[@annabuckmaster3162]

Wow, you did an amazing job!

[@biancagravely4372]

Wow that neatsfoot oil darkened it up nice!

[@Done123abc]

Put a sheepskin cover on the seat! Will look beautiful and be more comfortable

[@lonestarwoman]

I had the seat repaired at local tack shop. It turned out well.

[@noslackadventures8503]

So B diamond leather in Ogden Utah is the best saddle place I have found for repairs or even building you new. Him and his wife do amazing work

[@margodawson4671]

That Saddle is far from pretty but has a lot of use left in it. I am working on a bucking saddle right now that is much worse. Find a good saddle maker and most will be glade to fix this. I have rebuilt 20 Saddles like this in the past 6 months. I have one in my shop now that was made in 1887 It is a F. A. Menea and has been completly rebuilt. I would be glad to ride this saddle and rope the biggest critter on the ranch if I could. So most saddles can be saved if got a good person to do it. Darrell

[@lonestarwoman]

I'm currently having the seat refinished by a local saddle shop. I'll add an update videos when it's done.

[@Roy-dt4xu]

That saddle looks new compared to one I am currently restoring. Without taking it apart, you can't totally clean and restore it. My current project was built in 1939 . The cleaning she did looks good tho.

[@paulvidani1752]

You first must find out what the material that “broke up” is. Apply necessary compound to soften it up. Then cut out a oat and adhere it. O one will see it. And if done right, wil not get worse. Nice job so far.

[@lonestarwoman]

Thank you for your comment. It was a bit beyond me to fix. I had the seat redone at a saddlery. Looks great now.

[@soulcityboxingtv]

Thank u

[@tacknup]

I've seen that before! Girl, that is mouse urine and lots of it. It will completely bleach the leather/suede. I restored a saddle like that and had to redye the suede seat

[@lonestarwoman]

Eewwew. That would explain it. Ended up getting the seat replaced and so glad I did.

[@octoberjubilee9866]

That is a great job, wow! I have a vintage Circle Y saddle, looks like the same model and the leather IS the same that is described in the video (really soft and flexible). Do you, LoneStar know anything about that particular saddle model? I looked online and find nothing because the model numbers are older. Thanks for the video, you get a thumbs up with me!

[@lonestarwoman]

I rode in this same model, the park and trail in college, they are made for comfort and to be versatile. Great trail and training saddle. The Double D makes it easy to adjust where the girth goes. I use a y off billet. These saddles were made in Shiner in much smaller quantity before circle Y moved to a Oklahoma in the late 90s. They are well built and 30 years later are still one of my faves.

[@octoberjubilee9866]

@@lonestarwoman Yes! I absolutely love mine and along with my english saddle, is the one I prefer to ride in. It is so comfortable for me and my horse (a fat & stubborn -but loveable, appaloosa). I bought it about 2 years ago and paid quite a bit for it, do you know how much it is worth? Thank you so much for your information. The small quantity manufactured is probably why I had a hard time finding anything about it. But, the information you provided is the most I have been able to get. Thank you so much!

[@lonestarwoman]

I'm actually restoring a second Vintage Circle Y but this is an equitation model. It is in much worse shape, lots of oil, stay tuned for that video. I paid $400.00 in bad shape. I see them selling at around 500 - 800 in good shape here in Texas.

[@octoberjubilee9866]

@@lonestarwoman Mine's in good shape and I paid about $650 for it. Okay, you are restoring a second Circle Y? Too funny. I have another Circle Y, an equitation model (# 2896160712992). I liked the other one so much that I thought this one would be great for shows. The only problem with it is that the skirt length is too long for my less lengthy horse:-(. I have no idea what that one is worth either but, it is like new shape. Thank you so much. I just subscribed:-)

[@lonestarwoman]

Thank you so much for subscribing. You'll love the next video on the other saddle, I had to redye and color it. Short backed horses are difficult to fit. Smaller seat size helps. This saddle is a 14 and I usually ride a 15. I find saddles 9n Facebook market all the time. Its a good resource to buy and sell.

[@sherridannenberg1237]

Have you cleaned and conditioned a tooled and dyed black show saddle? If so I would really like to see a video

[@lonestarwoman]

I am just finishing a show saddle that had to be dyed right now! I had to order more dye it will take 2 bottles of Clyde's leather dye. I should have the video up soon. Pleased subscribe with notifications to see it! Will post link in this thread when done.

[@griffinartandairbrushing3174]

As for the seat.... I'd make sure the seat dries out good, and then just get a Western seat cover... and then ride on! :0)

[@lonestarwoman]

Thanks for the advice. I paid to have the seat redone. $200.00 but worth it:)

[@kaylin378]

@@lonestarwomanwhere do you go to get a seat replaced..? i have my saddle that has ridiculous foam cushion on it and i dont want to get a whole new saddle.

[@lonestarwoman]

Yes I got the seat replaced at horsemans supply in Weatherford Texas. Was about 250$

[@karenerickson9452]

How do you take the Murphys oil off?

[@lonestarwoman]

You don't take it off, you let it soak in. The oil in the soap helps leather stay soft. If you have foam that dries a little crusty from excess dirt on the surface, just buff with a clean towel and then oil and condition.

[@kagancowa1743]

I've been wondering, cause I noticed there is some fur/wool underneath of that saddle, what is the best way to clean that? The saddle I'm planning to restore has some fur too, with tons of spiders and dirt, I have no idea how to deal with that

[@lonestarwoman]

Great question. I have have used a bristle brush to brush it out. If it's really worn I have had to have it replaced. Is it real wool or synthetic material?

[@kagancowa1743]

@@lonestarwoman It's natural material, I'm not sure if I should use water because of the leather, but it's sewed so losely that spider nest under the wool is my favorite part

[@kathrynjaneway750]

I don't understand how you can do a good job while the fenders and stirrups are still on the saddle. How do you get under the hobbles and Blevins? How do you get into all the tooling and crevices without a toothbrush?

[@lonestarwoman]

Well I suppose it depends on how OCD you are. You can take it all apart and do it that way if you like.

[@lenchen001]

Looks SO great :)

[@ddobrien1]

The saddle damage & stain looks like an animal had died/decomposed in that spot long ago.

[@ponyabouttown4981]

I was thinking mice chewed and peed in the area.

[@rebeccan7276]

I thought packrat

[@jshafrolls]

After the scrub down with the Murphys do you rinse with plain water or just wipe it dry?

[@lonestarwoman]

No rinsing. Just buff any deposits.

[@jacobgarrison7287]

How long should one wait for the leather to dry before oiling

[@lonestarwoman]

Your leather can be slightly damp, but when the color changes lighter your usually good. Also drying time depends on humidity. If you put it out in the sun with low humidity, usually takes about an hour.

[@seabreezesg11]

How many saddles can you condition with the Skidmore's Leather Cream?

[@lonestarwoman]

I can do 2 coats on 4 Full Sized Western Saddles + bridles with I small can. And Have a little left

[@deeznuts-nq3ze]

Would you sell it?

[@lonestarwoman]

Yes I would sell it. Got the seat replaced and I really like it, but I sold the horse it fits

[@eduarcarvajal1726]

Q cuenta esa montura

[@eduarcarvajal1726]

Cuesta

[@jackybarile7158]

Hello! I am a video producer at @Insider and I’m interested in featuring your work on our series Refurbished. Is there an email I can reach you at? Thanks!

[@lonestarwoman]

Absolutely. Sounds like fun. Here's my email [e-mail]