How do you keep your tack looking like new?

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Rachel Monique Baresich on October 18, 2010 at 6:49pm

After every ride I clean my bridle, martingale, girth, etc. quickly with glycerin soap and every other week use a conditioning product. I clean my saddle almost every day with linseed soap and condition in every other week. My saddle cost me a fortune, so I try to take really good care of it.

Permalink Reply by Jan Jollymour on October 18, 2010 at 9:51pm

I clean all my gear after every ride too. I use linseed soap exclusively, which conditions and cleans at the same time. I do very little conditioning of my tack unless I've been forced to ride in rain, in which case it gets cleaned thoroughly and conditioned with Passier Lederbalsam.

I find that over-conditioning makes tack flabby and mushy, so over many years of practice and trial and error I discovered and have stuck with linseed soap. Quite a lot of our tack is custom-made, and our saddler is always really impressed with the condition of the leather.

While I clean my boots every day, I clean them with a barely dampened sponge only, and I never condition them. Once per month I polish them with good quality shoe polish, so they get shinier with age, and retain their stiffness and shape well. I still have and wear the Dehner dress boots my husband bought me 26 years ago, so I must be doing something right!

Permalink Reply by Jan Jollymour on October 18, 2010 at 9:54pm

P.S. LInseed soap can be hard to find. Greenhawk used to carry it, but they don't any longer. I buy mine in 5 gallon tubs from Westcoast Drilling (they use it to lube drill rigs). It's very inexpensive, puts a beautiful finish on the leather, and doesn't attract dirt. We go through about 2.5 gallons per year.

We don't have problems with our leather drying out and cracking, I think mostly because we keep it scrupulously clean, and we have a temperature controlled tack room. We never hang wet tack in front of a heat source, never leave it sitting in the sun, and always pull it apart and condition it thoroughly after a soaking ride.

Permalink Reply by Mallory Evans on October 19, 2010 at 1:16pm

I clean all my leather tack with liquid glycerine soap after every ride- condition once a month. I found using disinfecting quick-wipes on metal and bits after riding- easily dissolves the sweat and grime.

Permalink Reply by Charline Brand on October 19, 2010 at 2:00pm

Mallory, the disinfecting wipes you refer to are fine on irons and buckles etc., but the chemical is not only not good for your horse, it makes the bit taste terrible! I have a spray bottle with water and a towel that works just fine, but they also sell a "quick-wipe" product that is apple flavored specifically made to clean your bit. I wouldn't use that harsh chemical on anything really. I use baby wipes on everything non-leather, including my horse's face!

Permalink Reply by C Bean on October 19, 2010 at 3:12pm

I also clean every time - glycerin soap. Then every so often, a total clean and polish that goes beyond just to keep it in great shape. I have people asked me if I got new tack - when I had just cleaned it. That's how good it can look if you keep it really well.

Permalink Reply by Joanne Smith on October 19, 2010 at 3:20pm

However you do it, the most important thing to do is remove sweat and dirt daily. Both can penetrate the pores of the leather and cause breakdown. Minimally, wipe with a damp sponge or towel after every ride. Never get the leather too wet. Applying oils and conditioners too often can ruin the leather (make them gummy and sticky feeling). A good cleaning once a month should be adequate. Use a good leather cleaner, such as glycerine soap or commercial leather cleaner. Use with damp sponge, then wipe off excess. Wait a bit to allow leather to be completely dry, and apply reputable conditioner (commercial product, or mink oil). That should keep your tack lasting a lifetime and looking great!

Permalink Reply by green spirit on October 20, 2010 at 12:27am

I use a gliceine bar with as little water possibe and a old face cloth. Makes less bubbles than a sponge. For conditioning I use neets foot oil on the flesh side of the leather. I also use a leather balm made in england and the saddle soap from the same company. I have some tack that is over 40 years old that is still in great shape using the simple products. I use all product sparingly to much can make leather flabby and strechy to little will make it hard and dry. I clean and inspect regularly and conditon when needed.

Permalink Reply by Beth Polazzo on October 21, 2010 at 11:58am

Clean all my tack after each ride.

I use either a mixture of Murphy's soap oil and water (applied with a wet sponge and then dried with soft towel) or Moss saddle soap on my saddles.

Everyday bridle gets above treatment, "good" bridle gets taken care of with Passier cleaner and conditioner.

To prevent drying out, every few months (or when needed) use Skidmore cream.

Permalink Reply by Joanne Smith on October 22, 2010 at 4:33pm

Absolutely agree with use preserving tack- especially saddle

Permalink Reply by Charline Brand on October 22, 2010 at 6:19pm

OMG I never thought of using mouthwash on my bits...BRILLIANT!!!!

Permalink Reply by Cindy Jeffery on October 22, 2010 at 8:27pm

I have both leather and synthetic tack, for the leather I make sure it is clean after a ride in the rain and mud otherwise once a month. The synthetic is a lot easier, just hose down if extremely muddy and let them dry completely after a ride in the rain before putting away. Also, replacing severely cracked and irrepairable pieces as soon as possible.

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