My first saddle!!
For context, I got this saddle completely free from my volunteer stable! I was working my evening shift on Saturday, and during my 25-30 minute downtime between mucking and giving out hay bags, I found three saddles stacked on top of each other on a sawhorse. They were in the corner of the wash stall,(which we use for storage, we bathe the horses outside), just overall dusty and beat-up. From what I know, someone "bought" all three of them, but never paid and never came to pick them up. I asked my shift manager if it was okay for me to clean them, she said yes. So I started.
The one on top was the General purpose saddle, the one I have now. I gave it a thorough cleaning with dawn soap and hose water. (We didn't have saddle soap at that moment) It shined. I was very proud of myself, and moved on to the other two saddles, the dressage saddle and the jumping saddle. Once I was done cleaning them, I inquired to my shift manager about how much they wanted for at least one of the saddles, she didn't know, so she texted the barn manager. The barn manager is a good friend of mine, keep in mind. She said to just take which one you want.
I was ecstatic because I had never gotten the chance to have a saddle, let alone a specifically English one. I happily took it, thanking my shift manager and texting the barn manager "thank you" as I rode in the car with my mom. I took it home and cleaned it even more, getting into the nooks and crevices. I had to use so many paper towels that night lol. I told my mom "It's the biggest step towards getting a horse I have ever experienced."
It did have damage though that wasn't cosmetic. The knee pads (or whatever they're called) were ripped along the edge. (They're made of rough suede/roughout leather) I sewed up one rip, but still have one to go.
I now see the saddle as a symbol of hope for the future ane perseverance. :)