Saddle Storage

How a saddle is stored matters as much as how it is cleaned. Most storage damage comes from three things: moisture, heat and pressure on the wrong part of the tree. The advice below is general saddle practice, drawn together with the storage notes published on Billy Royal product pages.

The basics

• Cool and dry. Published product guidance for the Elite Floral show saddle (on the Schneiders product page) is to keep a saddle in a padded, zippered case, away from heat, in a cool dry room. That is a sound default for any Billy Royal saddle.
• Off the floor. Concrete and damp floors invite mold.
• Breathable cover. A cotton or breathable cover keeps off dust without trapping moisture. Avoid sealed plastic.
• Supported by the tree. Use a rack or saddle stand that holds the saddle by the bars, so weight does not bear on the pommel, horn or cantle.

Racks and stands

A wall-mounted or free-standing rack shaped to the saddle's gullet works well. A rail or sawhorse is a poor substitute because a narrow edge can press creases into the skirt linings. Do not hang a saddle by its stirrups, and do not stack saddles.

Cases

For show saddles, a padded zippered case protects trim and tooling in storage and transport. This matters most for plated trim; see Silver trim care. If you use a case, make sure the saddle is dry and clean before it goes in, and open the case periodically to let air through.

Long-term and seasonal storage

1. Clean and lightly condition smooth leather first, following Oiling smooth leather.
2. Brush roughout and let it dry completely, as in Roughout care.
3. Wipe and dry the trim, then add an anti-tarnish bag or sleeve for plated pieces.
4. Release the cinch or girth and any billets so they are not kept under tension.
5. Check on the saddle every few weeks. Look for mold spots, pests and dry areas.

Heat, damp and pests

Leather dries and cracks near heaters, in hot trailers and in direct sun. In a damp tack room, mold shows up as white or green bloom; wipe it off with a dry cloth, let the saddle air out and fix the humidity problem. Rodents and moths can go after sheepskin linings and wool, so keep the storage room clean and check regularly.

Tack and pads

• Hang bridles on a rounded bridle bracket to preserve the shape of cheeks and crowns, and keep them away from heat.
• Dry wool or felt pads fully before stacking them or putting them away. See Saddle pads.
• Store reins loosely coiled or draped, not folded sharply.

Models this applies to

Any saddle in the range, but the storage case matters most for the show models: Elite Floral Tooled, Santa Ana, Georgia Classic, Sedona and Scottsdale Supreme Classic.

What we can't confirm

• The listings do not say whether a saddle case or cover is included with any model. Check the listing contents before buying.
• No Billy Royal listing gives a humidity or temperature range for storage.
• The storage advice above is general practice. It is not a warranty condition, and warranty terms are not published in the listings. See Warranty.