You’ve got the horse, you have the tack… now what? Taking care of your tack and equipment is a necessary time commitment for all equestrians. Well-cared for tack lasts longer, looks better, and in the case of leather goods, only gets better with age. If you’re unsure where to begin with this unending task, or are guilty of neglecting your tack, check out some tips and tricks to get that tack looking better than the day you bought it.
What to Use
There are tons of different kinds of tack cleaners and conditioners out there, and each person prefers something different. In general, there are tack cleaners and tack conditioners. A cleaner will be more like soap, such as glycerin soap, that is intended to get the dirt and grime off of your tack. A conditioner is usually an oil-based cream or liquid that is intended to hydrate your leather after you have cleaned it. Cleaning your tack can strip the moisture from it, so it’s important to follow a cleaning session with conditioner to prevent it from cracking or drying out.
Since leather is prone to scratches, it’s important to use gentle cloths and sponges. Most people will use a tack cleaning sponge to clean, and then a soft rag to condition. A sponge will help lift the dirt from the leather, instead of rubbing it in, and a rag will gently buff the oils into the leather. For those hard to reach spots or on smaller pieces of tack, such as bridle pieces, a soft toothbrush often works well since it can reach those smaller areas easier.
Boots VS. Tack
Most people prefer their boots to be shiny versus matte, so you may need to use a different method to clean your boots than you use for your tack. For instance, boot polish and wax remains a steady choice for boots as it cleans, hydrates, and shines all in one.
Since your boots are in constant contact with your saddle when you ride, it is important to remember to NOT polish the inside of the boot. If it is polished, they will squeak with every movement you make in the saddle, which is less than ideal in quiet show rings.
Your boots may also get dirtier than, say, your saddle, because they are exposed to dirt, sweat, and general grime that come from being in a barn. You may need a harsher cleaner (this Carr & Day & Martin Belvoir Step 1 Tack Cleaner is a staff favorite!) to clean the gunk off your boots. This may strip the oils from your boots however, so make sure to condition after using any particularly harsh cleaners.
The Method
For a deep cleaning session of your tack, you want to clean the dirt and grime off first. Using oil or conditioner before this stage traps dirt in the leather, and ultimately ruins the longevity of it.
To thoroughly clean your tack, you will want a fresh bucket of water, your tack sponge, and your cleaner of choice.
Apply a small amount of cleaner to your damp sponge or to the leather directly, and gently lather all over. Don’t forget under the flaps of your saddle or the crevices of your bridle! Those small areas on your bridle, saddle, or boots are where the soft toothbrush will come in handy. You will be able to scrub those areas with much more accuracy with the toothbrush rather than the sponge. Once you have finished althering, clean your sponge of the soap (or get a fresh one), and use the damp sponge to wipe off any excess suds that have not been absorbed yet. This will help prevent product buildup on your tack. Now it’s time to condition!
As with cleaners, conditioners generally come in two forms: oil-based cream or liquid. Liquid oils are generally used for a deep condition of new and stiff leather or old leather that has dried out and is in serious need of some TLC. Cream conditioners are more often used for basic, routine cleans.
You want to use a fresh sponge or a soft rag for this step. Many people prefer to keep separate sponges for cleaning and conditioning, as once the oils from the conditioner have gotten on a sponge it is very difficult to get them off. Apply a small amount of your preferred conditioner to your sponge (not too much, you can always add more if needed!) and gently rub into the leather in circular motions. A little goes a long way, especially when using liquid conditioner. If you are aiming for a deep condition, you can use a brush to heavily apply the conditioner all over and let it sit for 10-15 minutes before buffing it out.
If you leave your tack too oily after conditioning it, dirt will be practically magnetized to it and will be much harder to get off once it sticks to the oil. Trying to remove it may even scratch your tack! It is best to continue to buff your tack until it no longer feels greasy to prevent this from happening.
We hope these tips have helped ease your tack-cleaning worries, and look forward to seeing that shining, perfectly clean tack trot down centerline!
