before treatment during treatment after treatment
Before, during and after treatment.

The Rensselaer County Historical Society was awarded conservation grant funding in 2002 for the treatment of military artifacts that were to be exhibited. The group of items included a saddle, cadet shell jacket, overcoat, banner, and two Red Cross WWI and WWII uniforms. The saddle and blanket were owned by General Wool.

The center curve of the saddle blanket was dramatically deformed due to the lack of padding on the old mount. It was decided early on in the treatment that the current mount was unacceptable and should be retrofitted to resemble a horse in shape. The inside shape of the saddle was measured and a mount was carved of Ethafoam and covered with batting. The final stage was to cover the mount with a show fabric chosen to blend with the blanket of the saddle.

Humidification and reforming significantly relaxed the stiffened leather. The saddle was then able to conform to the rounded shape of the new mount. Holes located in the blanket of the saddle were stabilized with small cotton patches in a color that blended.