Tack Locker: Cleaning Day..

So now that you know your basic tack, we're gunna talk about cleaning it. If you don't clean your tack regularly it will wear down and soon you'll be looking for something to replace it! It's a good idea to clean tack once a week. This is where knowing parts of the saddle and bridle come in handy! You're going to have to know what hole your stirrup leathers are on, and of course most parts of your bridle. I like to write it down on my phone or a notebook so I can look at it when I forget.

Cleaning a saddle:

You will need a saddle rack, saddle soap (glycerin or something else), leather conditioner (if it's leather), a sponge, a clean cloth, a bucket, and a soft toothbrush.

Take out the stirrup leathers.

Fill your bucket with warm water (it doesn't have to be filled to the brim!). Dip the sponge in it and squeeze the water out thoroughly, then wipe it over the saddle. Then rub the sponge on some saddle soap and wipe it over the saddle. Make sure you take your time and don't just quickly swipe the sponge over your saddle!

Take your cloth and wipe off any suds. If there aren't any suds you don't have to wipe it off, the soap dries off. If there's still some hard pressed dirt, take your toothbrush, rub it on the soap and scrub it off.

Take another sponge and put some leather conditioner on it. Make sure it goes over every part of your saddle and then let it dry.

For stirrup leathers I like to use a toothbrush to clean it instead of a sponge, but you can use a sponge. Do the same things and use the leather conditioner on it.

Now you have a nice shiny saddle! You can put a saddle cover over it to prevent it from getting dusty.

Saddle soaps and conditioners come in sprays, bars, and wipes. Experiment to see what YOU like best! :P

Cleaning a bridle:

Pretty much the same supplies as above, besides the saddle rack.

Find a good place to hang up your bridle. Or find a bench or table and take it apart. Lay every piece separately so you don't get it all tangled up.

Fill up a bucket with hot water and drop the bit in. You can let it soak while you clean.

Take a toothbrush (can be the same one used for cleaning your saddle) and put some soap on it (like glycerin or Saddle Soap) and scrub over every piece of your bridle. Make sure to rinse off the toothbrush when it gets really dirty and reapply the soap. You can use a toothpick to get through the holes.

Condition it like you would a saddle and let it dry. If you want your bridle REALLY shiny you can oil it. Oiling your bridle also prevents cracks. If you want to oil your bridle, get some newspaper so that you don't get the surface you're working on dirty. Then rub the bridle down to remove most of the oil.

Now to your bit. Take your toothbrush (after thoroughly rinsing it out) and put toothpaste (yes, toothpaste!) on it. Take your bit out and scrub everywhere, getting grass and dirt stains out as best as you can. The toothpaste makes the bit taste better to your horse. :)

Now put your bridle back together.


Cleaning tack isn't very fun but it's for the welfare of your horse and the tack itself to prevent cracks!

Some examples of supplies used to clean tack!