How to Clean and Maintain Your Horse Tack

Tack for your horse is a substantial investment. You can spend hundreds and thousands of dollars compiling everything you need to work with your horse. Because of this cost it is very important to properly care for and maintain your equine tack. By taking care of your horse's equipment you can extend its life by many years. However, if tack is left alone in the barn, it will quickly be destroyed and not be able to be used. Read on for some great management tips to extend the life of your horse's tack.

One very important part of properly caring for your tack is where you store it. Tack is mainly made out of leather. Leather needs to be kept dry. Never leave your tack in a place where it can become wet and damp. If the leather is allowed to stay damp, mold will begin to grow in just a few months. After the mold has lived on the leather for a year, the leather will begin to break down and your tack will not be strong enough to hold you or the horse for very long. Moldy reins can break just when you need them the most which can lead to a very dangerous accident. It is important to keep your tack in a building that has adequate airflow, but it completely sealed from the weather. If your barn has windows that leak, or a faulty roof, be sure to place your tack in a corner where it will be protected.

It is also important to keep your tack out of the direct sun. The sun will fade the leather and cause it to become extremely dry which leads to cracking. If you have a north facing side of the barn, you can plan to keep your tack along that side as the sun will not be as strong there. The north side of the barn is also usually not the best place to house your animals as the winter winds will blow there. The tack will be safe as long as it is dry and dark!

You should clean your tack thoroughly at least one time each year. Cobwebs and dust can accumulate very quickly in any tack room. Through cleaning you will also moisturize the leather to gain suppleness and improve its appearance. Cleaning your tack is very simple. To begin, use a soft brush to brush off all the dust and large dirt particles. Remove any pieces such as the cinch and stirrups. At this time you will want to complete a thorough inspection of your tack. Check for any tears or weak spots. If you see any areas of concern, you may want to bring your saddle or bridle to the nearest leathersmith for repair.

After you have brushed down and inspected the tack you are cleaning you can use some leather soap, or some special saddle soap to clean it. You can find this special soap wherever saddles are sold, and I would recommend you use it. The saddle soap is worth its cost for the new life it will bring to an old saddle! Use a sponge to scrub the saddle, and any other tack you are wishing to clean. Begin on the top and work your way down. Rinse your sponge often to be sure you do not scratch the leather with dirt particles.

Once you feel it is clean, rinse all the soap off. It is very important to rinse the leather completely free from soap. Dry with a towel, and you are ready to apply moisturizer. There are some great options for leather moisturizer and they include lanolin, neatsfoot oil and beeswax conditioner. You can find these at the tack shop along with the saddle soap. Apply a thin layer of the oil, do not soak the leather. Think of the oil as a light covering to protect the pores of the leather from becoming trapped with dirt.

You can continue this process on with any leather tack such as halters, lead ropes and bridles. Nylon tack should also be cleaned and this can be accomplished by simply washing the nylon with soapy water and allowing it to air dry completely. By completing an annual cleaning of all your horse tack, you will prevent any breakage and extend your tack's longevity.