Help me (try to) save a pair of work boots

[OnTheWarpath15]

I'm guessing these boots are ****ed, and it's my own fault, but I thought I'd check with the fine folks of CP and see if you had any suggestions.

A buddy of mine was a rep for Wolverine boots a while back, and had given me a pair. I've worn them precisely once.

The problem is, that the night I wore them (chasing one of the dogs that got loose in a monsoon) I took them off in the garage, completely caked in mud and forgot about them.

So they've been sitting in our garage, caked in mud, exposed to the heat of summer and the cold of winter.

I'm guessing the leather is ****ed, but I'm wondering if anyone can give me any tips on removing the caked on mud without further damaging the leather, and getting them cleaned up as best as possible.

I'm just pissed because I normally take extremely good care of my things, I completely forgot I even had the boots, much less where I had put them.

Rep for useful suggestions, I've tried antifreeze, it doesn't work.