Leather Care For Tack and Saddles

by Sackett Ridge Saddlery

Winter is the perfect time to bring all your tack in from the barn to clean it, feed it and inspect it.

Sit by the wood stove with some good music on and begin. 

  items needed:

 clean soft rags, 1 or 2 small sponges

 2 bowls of water (1 for cleaning sponge)

 saddle soap, conditioner, silver cleaner (if cleaning show tack)

1. Put an old sheet or towel down

2. Start with one piece of equipment at a time and take it apart..that means unbuckling everything

3. With a soft rag..wipe off loose dust and dirt

4. Take a small damp sponge and rub on some leather cleaner , saddle soap or glycerine . 

    Apply to each piece of tack.  Do not get it soapy.  Water and leather are not a great mix.

    Occasionally wring out sponge in water to clean sponge

5. Wipe off any excess with a dry clean rag.

6. Now your leather needs to be fed.  There are some great conditioners out there. I like Rudy's and      Hydrophane.  More is not better. You want just enough to be absorbed.  Too much  conditioner      

    can rot the stitching and make the leather too soft.

7. If your equipment is new..make a note of what hole it is buckled on before you take it apart.

8. Put it back together before you start on the next piece..so all the parts have a home.

9. Check for weak thin areas on the leather or loose stitching (especially around the buckles)

10. Clean bits with soap and warm water .

   Now is the time to get it replaced or repaired.  Put it aside with a note attached as to what needs  

   to be fixed.

English Saddles

1. Take off stirrup leathers and girth

2. Wipe down and clean as above. I usually clean every thing on the saddle that i can get to.

    That means the under flaps, billets and bottom panels. Check the billet straps that the stitching is

    tight.  Clean the stirrup leathers and check for even thickness of the leather.  Thin spots means 

    wearing and is time to replace them.  Last thing you want is your stirrup leather to break when 

    riding. 

3. Clean your girth ..that is usually the most abused piece of equipment in the sense that it is exposed 

    to sweat, and dirt.  It is also what keeps the saddle on.  Check the stitching and leather around the 

    buckles. Also if it has elastic check that it is not tearing or stretched way out.

4. If your saddle is the soft double leather..condition it often.  The saddle marks easily and the oil in 

    the conditioner will take out the marks.

Western Tack

     It is not much different..except if your saddle is tooled you may want to use a soft bristle tooth 

     brush to get down into the tooling.  To clean the silver , I like Wenol silver polish.  It is mild for 

     most plated silver.  A lot of silver comes with a finish on it and may just need some soap and 

     water.  If you do use silver polish apply with cu-tips . Use a clean soft cloth to buff it after.  Be 

     sure to clean the leather with saddle soap  if you get silver polish on it. 

DO'S

    Wipe down your tack after riding with some saddle soap to get the sweat and dirt off it.  It will

     keep the leather from deteriorating. 

     If you can not clean your tack..at least wipe it down with a soft cloth to get the dust  and wet

     sweat off. 

     And definitely dust it off before starting to clean it.  Or else you are just rubbing the dirt in more.

     These little steps will help your investment last longer. You will not have to do a detailed cleaning
     as often and when you do..it will be a snap.

DON'T

      Do not set it forget it!  Not only do you need to clean your tack..but you need to inspect it.  A lot 

     of accidents can be prevented by repairing or replacing tack that about to give out.

      Neatsfoot is great for dry leather..but used too often can rot the stitching..bad idea. If you take 

      care of your tack..you might never need this.

      

     Horseman's One Step is a strong cleaner.  It is great for heavy harness leather but i do not 

     recommend it for saddles or bridle leather.  It strips out the oil along with the dirt.  (sorry 

     absorbine).  If you do use it..be sure to follow with a strong conditioner . Maybe now is the time 

     for some warmed up neatsfoot. (absorbs into the leather better if warm).

 Do not use that saddle lacquer spray.  It may make the saddle look pretty..but leather needs to     breath. It will suffocate the pores of the leather.  Same with mink oil..a no no 

Photo of what NOT to do. Damp sponge not wet. Do not want it sudsy

 MOLD.. Wipe off..apply vinegar and leave out in sun.  When it's been out in the sun for a few days

               apply conditioner to put oil back into leather