Top tack cleaning tips!

You put lots of trust in your tack each time you get in the saddle, so it makes sense to take good care of it so it can continue to keep you safe. While it doesn’t always feel like the most fun or exciting activity, knowing what you need to do and how to do it will help you keep your tack in great condition and get the job done quickly. 

Wipe your tack

Always wipe your tack over with a damp cloth before applying any balm or saddle soap. This means you won’t be putting it on top of dirt that’s already there. Wipe away any grease or mud that’s covering the surfaces – warm water’s best for removing dirt.

Create a tack cleaning routine

Having a routine for cleaning your tack will make the process much easier. Think about whether you’ll do the saddle or bridle first, which products you’ll use and on what days of the week you’ll do it – you’ll have a solid plan in no time.

Top tip

Undo the girth on both sides rather than pulling your girth over the saddle while it’s still attached – this helps stop damage to the girth straps.

Make a tack cleaning checklist

Make a list of everything you need to do when you clean your tack, including washing the bit, checking stitching and using a leather conditioner. That way, you’ll know you haven’t missed anything and your tack will stay in great shape.

Use good quality tack cleaners

Look for saddle soaps and balms made from natural ingredients, such as lanolin, tallow or beeswax. These will nourish and clean your tack to help it last longer and look smarter. Avoid sprays and soaps that contain alcohol because they’ll dry out the leather.

Top tip

Sweat can erode the stitching on your tack over time, so keep an eye on it, especially during warmer weather or when your pony’s working extra hard.

Check your tack whilst cleaning

It’s a good idea to carefully check over your tack whenever you clean it to make sure it’s going to keep you safe. Look out for…

• the condition of the leather
• dryness or cracking
• damage or rust on the buckles
• loosening, wear or damage to the stitching
• damage or tearing of buckle holes
• wear and sharp edges on the bit

Top tip

If your tack gets really wet, don’t be tempted to dry it using heat. Leave it in the tack room to dry naturally, then take it apart to thoroughly clean and condition it.

Avoid using saddle soap on non-leather parts

Lots of parts of your tack might not be made of leather, such as your girth or even your saddle. If this is the case, clean them using warm water but avoid applying saddle soap because it could damage the material. Speak to your saddler, or look on the manufacturer’s website to find out what product could work for your non-leather tack.

Store your tack

Storing your tack correctly is a really important part of taking great care of it. Make sure it’s in a well-ventilated, cool, dry room and, if possible, one that doesn’t have direct sunlight coming through the windows – this can gradually bleach the leather. Use saddle racks and bridle hooks to keep tack off the floor and make use of saddle covers and bridle bags so your gear stays clean and dust-free.