Can you turn a broken saddle into a bridle or halter or other equipment?

I have a ten year old Bates Caprilli and I found out that it has a broken tree so I'm getting a new saddle. It seems a waste to just throw my old Bates away so I was wondering if there was any way to turn my Bates into a bridle or a halter or any other type of equipment. I'm taking it in to a leather specialist to see what they think but I was wondering if anyone had ever done this or if it was even possible.