Proper care of your tack can save you money, since leather that’s cared for lasts longer. Maintaining your tack can also keep you safe, because those regular close inspections will detect small problems before they become big ones. Proper cleaning is perhaps the most neglected horseman duty. Extend the life of your saddle with a little care and time. Bring an old saddle back to life!!
Set a side 30 minutes once a year depending on frequency of use.
Look for cracks in the bridle leather around the bit attachments and on the rein, these areas will be most affected by the saliva.
- Saddle soap
- Bucket of warm water
- Old Tooth brush
- Sponge
- Leather conditioner – oil- Mink oil
- Soft rag
Saddle-Cleaning Steps:
- Using saddle soap, water and tooth brush, lather on to the leather. Remember to thoroughly clean areas that directly touch the horse (fenders, stirrup leathers, billets, latigos and back cinch).
- With the sponge and water, flush clean the areas you’ve lathered. This process removes surface dirt and opens the leather’s pores, which releases dirt that’s penetrated the leather.
- Allow the leather to dry completely.
- Apply leather conditioner. Pay close attention to areas that contact the horse.
If the leather is particularly dry (evidenced by stiffness), use 100-percent Neatsfoot oil.
Apply the oil sparingly, because over-oiling can bleed from the leather in hot weather, and can break down the leather’s fibers.
Wax-based products are suitable for all saddle surfaces (front- and backsides). The wax helps seal the leather so dirt and salt don’t readily penetrate the surface.
Hand-rub wax-based products into the saddles surface when the leather is warmed to room temperature or outside on a warm day.
After applying conditioner, buff off any excess product with scrap sheepskin or a soft rag so the saddle’s surface isn’t sticky and doesn’t attract dust.
