How To Strip Clean Horse Tack

Step 1: The Benefits

Firstly, it will prolong the life of your saddle and bridle. As cleaning feeds the leather, it keeps the leather supple, which is important for the comfort of both horse and rider. It enables you to check your tack for safety and prevents rubs, sores and galls on your horse, and of course it helps to keep a nice appearance.

Step 2: Equipment you will need

Step 3: Strip clean the bridle

Begin by taking the bridle completely apart. Now put the bit into the bucket of warm water. Give it a good wash with a sponge. Dry it off with a clean cloth. Rubbing firmly with the same dampened sponge, begin to wipe off the grease and dirt from all the leather pieces, on both sides. Pay particular attention to the inside of the bridle, as this area's where the most dirt and grease build up, which may cause sores. Scrape off any stubborn grease marks with your nail.

Step 4: Check for safety

Whilst cleaning your bridle, it is important to check for any cracks in the leather straps. Tack can get worn over time and break. Especially where metal meets leather. Look for any stitching that may have rotted. Or had excessive wear and tear. Check that there is no excessive stretching of the leather, which may snap under pressure.

Step 5: Saddle soap your bridle

If you are using saddle soap in a spray form, now lightly spray some onto a dry sponge. Firmly rub it into all the leather pieces of your bridle, on both sides. If you are using glycerine soap, dip the bar into some water. Rub a dry sponge, into the wet bar of soap. Really work the soap, well into all the leather pieces.

Step 6: Strip the saddle

Begin by removing the girth. Take off the numnah or saddle cloth from underneath the saddle. Briskly brush off any excess hair from it with a stiff, hard brush. Give the girth a good brush as well. If it needs a really good clean, put it in a washing machine, with a sock covering any buckles and secured by a hair band. Remove the stirrup leathers. Remove the stirrup irons from the leather straps. Place the irons into a bucket of warm water. Use a sponge to wash off any mud or dirt. When clean, rub them dry with a clean, dry cloth.

Step 7: Wipe over the saddle

Now dampen a sponge with some warm water and begin to wipe over the saddle, to remove any dirt and grease. Start with the panels underneath, then the girth straps, the saddle flaps, the seat area and skirts. Pay particular attention to the folds and creases in the leather. But remember, do not use hot water or any detergent! Finally, clean over the stirrup leathers.

Step 8: Check the saddle for safety

Once again do a thorough safety check. Look carefully to make sure that there is no excessive wear on the saddle that may need re-stitching or replacing. Pay particular attention to the girth straps, which may have stretched. Or where the buckles may have worn the holes away. Check for cracks. One of the most common problems occur when the stitching on the leathers gets worn through. Leather can stretch and snap!

Step 9: Saddle soap the saddle

If you are using a spray, lightly spray the saddle panels, underneath. Work it in well, with a dry sponge. Move around to the side panels, the girth straps and the seat area. If you are using glycerine soap, as before, dip the bar into some water and follow the same procedure, working the soap well into the leather. Finally, don't forget to saddle soap your stirrup leathers. Your saddle should now be positively gleaming!

Step 10: Put the saddle back together

With your stirrup irons looped through the stirrup leathers, now attach them back to the saddle. Tip the saddle forward. Firmly push the leather down onto the bar. Run your stirrups up. Loop the clean girth strap through the irons.

Step 11: Some final advice

You should strip clean your tack at least once a week. You should also give your tack a quick clean each time you use it, as dirt can build up and rub on your horses skin.