Leather horse tack is an investment, so you’ll want to keep yours in good condition for as long as possible. When well-cared for, leather is a durable material that’ll last for years to come.
If you neglect your leather equipment, it can become dry and brittle. Brittle tack can be dangerous – it’s prone to tears and breakage, which can have devasting effects if it fails mid-ride.
Here’s our handy guide on caring for your leather horse tack.
Clean your leather tack regularly
Cleaning your leather equipment regularly is essential to its maintenance. Ideally, you should clean your tack after each use. This can just be a quick clean with a damp cloth to remove any dirt picked up on the ride. We recommend Carr & Day’s two-step Belvoir Tack Cleaner.
You should give your tack a deep clean at least once a month. Using a dedicated saddle soap and tack cleaning mitt, build up a good lather and scrub away all dirt and grime before rinsing with water. Leave it to dry thoroughly before oiling it up.
Oil up your tack
When your tack is clean, it’s important to treat it with oil to keep it supple. You should use an oil specifically for leather are, such as Neatsfoot Oil by Carr & Day & Martin or Flexalan’s Leather Dressing.
Lightly saturate a sponge or cloth in oil, then apply a thin layer to the leather. When the leather is covered, remove any excess oil with a spare cloth.
Keep your leather equipment out of the sun
There’s nothing that will degrade your leather tack faster than the sun. Keep your leather tack out of direct sunlight to avoid it becoming dry, brittle and cracked.
Store your leather equipment in the correct conditions
Dust and moisture can damage your leather tack. With spores that can cause mould and mildew growth, dust can abrade the surface of your leather equipment. Moisture, too, can facilitate mould growth on leather, so it’s essential to store your tack in a dry, dust-free place.
A bridle bag will protect your leather equipment from dust and moisture, and other tack can be stored in boxes to keep it pristine.
Make sure the room your tack is stored in is dry and well-ventilated.
Shop our range of leather care products to preserve your leather tack for years to come.