​CLEANING TACK – LOVE IT OR HATE IT!

Some people love to do it; to others it’s a task to put off to a rainy day. Whatever your viewpoint, there’s no denying that tack cleaning is an essential part of horse care. That is, of course, if you want to keep your tack in excellent condition, preserve its life and prevent any injuries to yourself or your horse through unsafe saddlery.

Yet it’s amazing how many people don’t follow the correct regime, putting their task at risk in the process. We’re hoping you don’t fit into that category, but just in case, or if you know someone who might need a little help, we’ve put together a handy guide to make tack clean really straightforward!

The process

Gather all your equipment – warm, clean water; two clean sponges; antiseptic wipes; saddle soap or dressing (an antibacterial tack cleaner has many added advantages); a buffing cloth or chamois; a nail; and a blunt knife.

2. Take your tack apart, making note of the holes that are currently fastened. Remove the saddle cloth, girth, stirrups and bit, and set aside.

3. Lay out all the leather and inspect. If it is very dirty, gently scrape a blunt knife across it to remove the dirt. Be careful not to damage the leather.

4. Dampen one sponge and squeeze the excess out. Place the leather between the sponge, and draw it through tightly to remove all the dirt. Rinse and repeat until all the leather is clean.

5. Use antiseptic wipes or spray to give a final clean of the tack, helping to keep it hygienic and disease-free.

6. Once the leather is spotlessly clean, it’s time to dress it. Using soap or dressing keeps the leather supple and protects it from the elements. Putting dressing on top of dirty tack traps the dirt against the leather, which over time builds up and eventually weakens the leather.

7. If using soap, dampen the second sponge, rinse until nearly dry, and rub into the leather. If the sponge is too wet, the soap will foam up and will not protect the leather adequately.

8. If using dressing, follow the instructions on the bottle, as it may differ per dressing. Make sure whatever dressing you use, it is worked into the leather thoroughly.

9. An antiseptic tack cleaner not only cleans but also kills bacteria, fungi and viruses, helping to keep tack hygienic. It is also great at stopping mould and mildew from building up, as it carries on working. Plus, you can also use it on bits and stirrups.

10. While cleaning your leather, check it for any damage, and make a note to have it mended if necessary.

11. When all the leather has been dressed, check the holes, as soap and dressing can block the holes. Use a small nail to push through to make sure the holes are clear.

12. Use a buffing cloth to give a final polish, which will help give your tack anaesthetic shine.

13. Clean your bit in fresh, clean water.

14. Scrub your stirrups.

15. Brush your saddle cloth and girth, or wash if very dirty.

16. Put your tack back together, hang it up and take pleasure from looking at your hard work!

How often should you clean your tack?

Let’s be blunt here; you should clean your tack every time you ride. However, if you are not a fan of the task, the least you should do is clean your bit (otherwise it’s like putting a dirty toothbrush in your mouth), wipe off the dirt with a damp sponge and apply some antiseptic tack cleaner. The good news is, with a daily tack clean, you don’t need to take your tack apart!

If you are riding daily, do a full clean every week to keep it in good condition. For those who are hunting or if riding in bad weather, you may need to do a full clean every time. At the end of the day, if you invest your hard-earned money into decent tack, it’s worth putting some effort into keeping it lasting longer.

And is it worth the risk of your tack breaking as you gallop up the bridle way? A small price to pay for safety.