Soooo... How do you care for your tack?

[equito]

I used to keep it simple with saddle soap and Lexol conditioner, that is until I started reading... First I was intrigued by Leather CPR, but when I tried it I never really “fell in love”. Then, when breezing through an old Pony Club manual, I read that they suggest a just H20 (with something like castile soap if tack is super dirty), oil if needed, and finishing with a glycerin bar to "seal" the leather... But the other day I came upon this site (http://www.mysaddle.com/MYSADD~3/GenSaddIn.html) which suggests only cleaning with water (and only when really necessary) and using Effax Lederbalsam on a regular basis. So now I'm utterly confused about what my tack really needs! :eek:
So my main questions are:
1. What's does your tack care routine look like (how often, what products, etc)?
2. Does how you clean your horses' gear differ from how you clean your own apparel (boots, chaps...)?
3. What do you think of the Lederbalsm and glycerine approaches? These both really interest me...

Thanks! :D

[amastrike]

I use a leather cleaner (Lexol, Leather Therapy) with a sponge, a toothbrush, and a butter knife if necessary (to scrape off gunk). Scrub scrub scrub the leather until there is no gunk. Apply oil or conditioner. I usually do oil if the leather feels dry/stiff or I know I haven't oiled it in a while. Maintenance is a leather conditioner (like Lexol conditioner). Frequency of cleaning? As needed/time permits. Ideally, I like to do my bridle every 3-4 weeks and my saddle every few months. But if I'm busy and don't have a couple hours to devote to tack cleaning, or I'm not riding enough for the tack to get dirty, I hold off.

Using only water seems pointless to me. I don't think you can get the tack REALLY clean, unless you wipe it down with a wet rag after every ride so it never builds up (which is probably a good idea).

[Go Fish]

I've never used anything but glycerin on my leather. I'll use pure neatsfoot oil maybe once or twice a year. No other products necessary. I have leather items well over 20 years old that are in still in great shape. I wipe down my bridle after every ride in summer, not so much in winter - less sweat. My saddle, maybe once a week or so.

I don't ride in my tall boots except for shows. Just Melatonin (sp?) and lots of elbow grease.

[bigbaytb]

I had always found that when i would clean the bridle with saddle soap, or other leather cleaners after every ride, the bridle would just get sticky. I started to quickly rinse my bridles, girths and breastplates (all are not "cheap" leather, but the better brands) with water and wipe dry. If really gunky, i would rinse with hot water and wipe off the scum and then use saddle soap and either oil or effax every six weeks or so. they never get sticky/gunky and look sharp. the bridles, most are 10 years old and used 3 to 5 times a week, are in great shape. I thought i was pretty smart until a friend told me that when she worked at a tb barn, she was taught to take all the yearlings leather halters and put them in hot water, that would take all the dirt to the surface and they just wiped off the crud...

saddles i wipe off after every ride and saddle soap once a week and oil when needed. the billets seem to dry out faster, so i oil thos more to keep condition. my dressage saddle is 9 years old and people think it's brand new, and it's used at least 3 times a week. my jumping saddle looks brand new and it's about 5 years old too.

[lintesia]

I was originally taught to first wipe the leather clean with a dampened sponge and then use saddle soap. At some point, I switched to just using saddle soap (glycerin). Then last year, I went back to first wiping the leather with a dampened sponge and then wiping on a tiny bit of saddle soap. I am much happier with the condition of my tack when I wipe it clean with water first. The water takes away the film of sweat and dust and the glycerin soap adds a nice soft seal to it.

My favorite saddle soap is made by Stubben -- it comes in a plastic tub and can be hard to find (e.g., Dover doesn't carry it...).

I try to clean my bridle after every ride and my saddle every other ride. The bridle gets conditioned maybe once or twice a year and the saddle probably every month or so.

Except for when it's new, I've never felt the need to oil my tack...

[AnotherRound]

I always use hot water to clean my tack, alot of it. Whatever gets the gunk off, a bucket to immerse in while I scrub, if needed. Then pure neetsfoot oil now and again. for me, glycerine soap adds a layer of scum. Always had good looking soft leather. Just my experience.

[Seven-up]

I use a plain old glycerine soap (I prefer liquid but I have a bar I'm using right now) to clean, then I oil with Hydrophane. Sometimes I'll finish with a product called Supple, applied with a damp sponge and buffed in. It leaves a soft, glowy shine and smells wonderful.

I don't clean nearly as often as I should. Like every few months. Or whenever I feel like it. I clean before a show, and I oil after every cleaning. Hydrophane is not a gooey oil and doesn't overmoisturize.


I tend to be suspicious of anyone who says, "You can only use _____ kind of soap/oil/whatever on this saddle." To me, that says they have some sort of endorsement deal with the makers of that product. I use what I use because I like it, and I like the result. And I'm not sure I'd like a saddle or bridle that can only take a certain product. Sounds too delicate. But that's just me.

[jn4jenny]

Everything that gets used daily gets a healthy oiling with Hydrophane once yearly to make it water resistant. Which means that I can hose it down (bridle, breastplate, girth) or sponge it off (saddle) every day without guilt. Once every 6 to 8 weeks, it gets a reasonably thorough cleaning with a sponge and Kirk's Castile Soap. About once every week or two weeks, it gets a wipedown with Passier Lederbalsam to help maintain the water resistance.

There is no one way to clean your tack. If you're happy with your routine and your tack looks good, stick with it. You've already got the basics: wash with gentle soap to remove oil, then give leather a coat of conditioner.

[strawberry roan]

I take bridles apart once a week and clean. I am using Effax and really like it. I think I have been using it for just over a year. I take the leathers off my saddle about every two weeks. That is what my schedule allows. I am happy with how my tack looks and feels. :):)

[JumpWithPanache]

I try to clean my bridle weekly with either Horseman's One Step or Tattersalls. I wipe off the loose top layer of stuff first, then saddle soap and wipe clear of soap residue. I'll put Passier lederbalsam on very sparingly when teh leather starts to feel like it needs it. Saddle gets done two days before a show or when it's really rainy out. Same general routine but the lederbalsam only goes on the rough underside of leather.

[equito]

Everything that gets used daily gets a healthy oiling with Hydrophane once yearly to make it water resistant. Which means that I can hose it down (bridle, breastplate, girth) or sponge it off (saddle) every day without guilt. Once every 6 to 8 weeks, it gets a reasonably thorough cleaning with a sponge and Kirk's Castile Soap. About once every week or two weeks, it gets a wipedown with Passier Lederbalsam to help maintain the water resistance.

There is no one way to clean your tack. If you're happy with your routine and your tack looks good, stick with it. You've already got the basics: wash with gentle soap to remove oil, then give leather a coat of conditioner.


The Hydrophane sounds like an interesting product, I've heard a bit about it before... perhaps I'll look into that. I think most of my problem with deciding what works best for my tack is the vast array of cleaning/conditioning/oiling products available-- I have a bit of an addiction to trying whatever seems to be the latest and greatest product or method and therefore I'm reluctant to stick with any one routine! :lol:

Oh, one other thing: which Hydrophane product do you (and the others who mentioned it) mean?

[ThoroughbredFancy]

So my main questions are:
1. What's does your tack care routine look like (how often, what products, etc)?
2. Does how you clean your horses' gear differ from how you clean your own apparel (boots, chaps...)?
3. What do you think of the Lederbalsm and glycerine approaches? These both really interest me...



1. I clean my saddle 1-2 times per week and use Effax Lederbalsam or Kieffer leather care products since it's a Kieffer saddle. The prices aren't outrageous for either product and both work well and keep the leather clean and supple.

2. Nope. Whatever leather care product I have out for my tack I will use on my boots.

3. I've used both. I feel as though if I want to clean and not so much condition I will use a glycerine product.

[saultgirl]

Every week I clean my tack with passier soap and condition it lightly with lederbalsam. I do it in 4 steps:
1. Wipe tack with damp sponge
2. Clean with soap
3. Wipe off soap with damp sponge or cloth
4. Apply conditioner.

My understanding is that soap should never be left on the leather, and that conditioner should always follow a cleaning.

[onelanerode]

I use Belvoir's spray cleaner and Effax Lederbalsam, with Hydrophane's darkening oil if necessary.

How often tack gets cleaned depends on the tack and its use. Bridles and breastplates, which sit directly on the horse, get wiped down with a damp cloth after every ride. I keep handtowels in my trunk specifically for this. One side of the damp handtowel is used to wipe my horse's sweaty head, and the other side is used to wipe the breastplate and bridle and clean the bit. Doing this means I don't often have to clean my bridles and breastplate.

Saddles, which don't directly touch the horse, get wiped down or cleaned as needed, so probably wiped down once a week and cleaned once every few months.

Tack gets conditioned when I notice it's feeling dry or stiff.

[Lavender Menace]

I clean a lot of tack in the course of a week (I'm a groom responsible for about 6 sets of tack). I start with either a damp sponge and glycerine or if it's really gunky, I'll use the Belvoir Step 1 leather cleaner. It's pretty heavy duty and does dry out the leather if you don't condition afterwards, but it's like magic in that it REALLY cuts through dirt/sweat/dander. I condition with Belvoir Leather Balsam which is the most amazing stuff ever. It smells heavenly for one, and more importantly, it leaves your tack just glowing and gorgeous. Not tacky or sticky, just a nice supple sheen. I also like the Belvoir glycerine but it's not that much better than regular glycerine and costs about 4 times as much for a bar.

I take bridles apart once a week and do a deep clean and condition. It gets a quick wipe down after every ride as well. The idea of dunking your tack in water is a new one to me... goes against pretty much everything I was taught about leather which is that you don't want to ever immerse it. I would think that much moisture would rot the stitching and make everything waterlogged. But it sounds like lots of people do it, so maybe I should reconsider...

[dbadaro]

i clean my tack once a month and sometimes follow up with a conditioner.

for soap i use castile coco soap. conditioner i use the passier leaderbaslm. wonderful stuff!

i usually wipe my bridle and saddle town with a dry towel after every ride. i live in florida and either me or the horse (or both!) are always sweating.

[BornToRide]

I do the same - I usually just wipe with a damp rag after each use and condition as needed. I would only use soap if something was extra super dirty. Most tack get's worked on too much which can actually weaken it prematurely

[2DogsFarm]

Most tack get's worked on too much which can actually weaken it prematurely

BTR: you validate my sloth :winkgrin:

I am obsessive only about de-gunking the bit after every ride
(this came from a trainer long ago who asked "How would you like to put that in your mouth?"). Dip in water to loosen goo, wipe clean & dry with a towel. My bits look brand-new.

Other than that I'll generally wipe down the bridle with a clean lintfree rag and call it a day.
If it's been a sweaty ride I'll use Horsemens One-Step, onceover lightly for saddle & bridle.

I have a 20+yo Stubben saddle and near 15yo Stubben bridle that look almost new. I also have a much cheaper bridle that looks great after 10 years. All have benefitted from my benign neglect.

[foggybok]

BTR: you validate my sloth :winkgrin:

I am obsessive only about de-gunking the bit after every ride
(this came from a trainer long ago who asked "How would you like to put that in your mouth?"). Dip in water to loosen goo, wipe clean & dry with a towel. My bits look brand-new.

Other than that I'll generally wipe down the bridle with a clean lintfree rag and call it a day.
If it's been a sweaty ride I'll use Horsemens One-Step, onceover lightly for saddle & bridle.

I have a 20+yo Stubben saddle and near 15yo Stubben bridle that look almost new. I also have a much cheaper bridle that looks great after 10 years. All have benefitted from my benign neglect.

Another vote for sloth :) I'm glad you posted becasue I was beginning to feel inadequate! I tend to not do much with my tack. My 30 year old Stubben bridle just broke because somebody stepped on a rein....but it was looking great. My 2 30+ year old Stubben saddles are in great shape. The rest of my stuff is fine, but much newer..... (The just don't make stuff like the old Stubbens anymore do they...)

[appychik]

Benign Neglect :winkgrin:. That's what I do too... though I LOVE cleaning tack :yes:.

Just wipe the bit clean each time (now use wet wipes... used to use water and a rag at the old barn) and wipe down the noseband/flash if it's all gross too. Otherwise, bridles are cleaned on an "as needed" basis. Saddles tend to get cleaned just a bit more frequently, as I like to rotate stirrup leathers every 3-4 months... but honestly, my tack doesn't get all that dirty. That's what saddle pads and a clean horse will get you :winkgrin:.

As far as products go though, I love my Stubben saddle soap (the kind that's in a jar with a lid) and the Effax Lederbalsam (absolutely adore that stuff... plus it's GREAT on your hands). I think I may try Hydrophane-ing my halters though... haven't ever done that and they probably could use a good oiling.

Otherwise, there's this product that pattnic was using when I was down to visit a few moths back. Can't remember the name, but I loved it. I think Beval made it perhaps... but honestly can't remember for sure.

[equito]

...and the Effax Lederbalsam (absolutely adore that stuff... plus it's GREAT on your hands).

Really? I must find some... leather care and hand care in one! :D

[Shadow14]

I have a large barrel of oil and just throw my headstall or halter into the barrel with a wire attached. After a few hours of soaking I pull them up and let drip dry. My working head stall is 25 years old and the leather is soft and
shiny. For the saddle I oiled the back of the leather almost weekly and cleaned with saddle soap. I have since switched all saddles over the synthetic which can be hosed off but I just use compressed air to blow the saddle off and keep looking good.
Every time I ride in the rain the head stall requires a trip to the oil barrel to retain it's softness. My equipment last forever and I do use it hard each week, rain, winter, sunshine are all the same to me.

[LookinSouth]

So my main questions are:
1. What's does your tack care routine look like (how often, what products, etc)?

about once a week, more often in the summer, sometimes every other week in the winter. I used Castile soap for the most part (LOVE IT, so much less gunky and sticky than glycerine) I will use Leather CPR or Lederbalsam if I feel I need to condition. I usually only oil tack when I first get it or perhaps once or twice a year if needed.

2. Does how you clean your horses' gear differ from how you clean your own apparel (boots, chaps...)?

I use the Castile soap on my leather half chaps too!

3. What do you think of the Lederbalsm and glycerine approaches? These both really interest me...

I think regular cleaning with Castile rather than glycerine is your best bet. I don't think the Lederbalsam is neccessary on a regular basis but once in awhile for conditioning would be good.

[WNT]

I pretty much follow the Pony Club method:

Damp rag to knock the worst dirt and crud off.
Neatsfoot oil as needed before glycerine so the leather can really absorb it.
Glycerine soap to seal the oil in the leather. I also love the Stubben glycerine tub.

If I'm in a hurry, either just the glycerine soap or Tattersall soap. Generally, I at least wipe my tack down with glycerine after every ride. Depending on the weather, I will oil tack once a week (dry weather) to once a month (more humid).

[toxicity]

It's barn policy at our place that all sale horse (separate from the lesson bridles) bridles and martingales must be wiped down and figure-eighted before being put up so when I ride the two Thoroughbreds with the same size head and bit I've been put in charge off, I clean the bridle with water and a couple squirts of liquid glycerine soap on the super dirty parts (reins, buckle part of martingale), then dip the bit in water and wipe off the gunk. I use my own saddle and girth on them. The girth gets wiped down after each ride, the saddle gets cleaned on Tuesdays and Thursdays after lessons. I clean my own martingale and reins after each ride because my horse sweats an insane amount. I rarely condition or oil my tack, usually only before shows.

I NEVER use oil on my boots. You lose all shine if you do and it makes them stretch weirdly. I wipe down with water, then clean with glycerine soap, wipe again, then use boot polish, end with a buffing rag.

My favorite product is by far Leather CPR by Farnam. It literally brings tack back to life. They definitely picked an appropriate name! We used it on all the lesson horse bridles that have only been cleaned by camp kids who never do a good job for who knows on long and they look awesome now. A bridle I swore was brown turned it's original black color.

[mjmvet]

1) clean bit in warm water - dishsoap if REALLY dirty, rinse and dry
2) Wipe down saddle and bridle with plain water - moist rag
3) As needed, apply Passier's Lederbalsalm with a soft brush. REALLY makes cheap leather last longer, and be more supple. This stuff has resurrected my leather lunge cavesson (Dover - very, very, cheap leather) that had stiffened to the point where it was not usable.