Keeping your tack in tip-top condition so it can be loved & enjoyed through the generations...

It is so important to look after and care for your tack, as it really can last through the generations. My children are using the tack that I had when I was a child, which is just so special.

If you look after leather, it will look after you. Consistent care, conditioning and cleaning is key, especially when it comes to competing. 

I’ve bought my tack from the dark of the tack room into the light of the kitchen to film for you - just don’t tell my husband!

Start by fully dismantling your bridle. I do like to take it all to pieces as it makes for a much more thorough clean, but if it’s a quick clean I will leave it all attached.

Pop the bit into a bowl of hot water to soak whilst you tackle the rest. 

Remove the cheek pieces, head piece and throat lash, brow band, nose band and of course the reins.

Grab yourself a plain old sponge. Mine does have the scourer on one side, but I do try not to use the scourer - only on really dirty parts if need be.

Squeeze out as much of the water as you can from the sponge. You pretty much want the sponge to be almost dry as you do not want to soak the leather, and too much water can result in bubbles which will show upon drying.

Dip your sponge into the saddle soap, before wiping all over the leather. I use Stübben, a fantastic German saddle soap that lasts a really, really long time.

Give the leather a really good once over, making sure you get all the hair, grease and dirt off. 

Whilst you're washing, it’s a great time to give all of the stitching a really good once over to make sure that there are no signs of damage or anywhere that could do with some repair.

Give the buckles a really good clean, clean and wipe it all over, then remove the bit from the bowl and give it a good dry and polish.

In regards to the type of leather we have, I always advise people to invest just a little more in English leather as opposed to Indian or European. I really do believe the quality to be much better and long lasting, especially when cared for in this way.

A little top tip I like to pass on is to keep a few cocktail sticks handy - particularly before a turn-out class. Cocktail sticks can get right into the holes to make sure there is no dirt hiding inside! I also used to wear rubber gloves for all of this process whilst I was competing, to ensure there were no fingerprints or marks to be seen anywhere at all!

Another great little piece of kit to have to hand is a leather hole punch, great if you need to put an extra hole anywhere and so simple to use.

If your tack is really thirsty, you may need to soap it a second time. 

Now pop your bridle back together however you find easiest, I actually imagine that I am the horse and hold up the head piece facing in the right direction and go from there - I find it makes it so much easier! Putting the tack back together can seem a little daunting and hard at first, but with practice, it gets so much easier.

One of the most important things for me to always make sure to get right is the bit. It must be facing the right way, which you can normally tell from the slight bend. If this is incorrect it can be quite uncomfortable for the horse.

I’m also going to tell you about how I prepare brand new leather tack. When new, leather can be very stiff and not particularly flexible. This is where feeding and softening the leather comes into play.

Grab yourself a tin of Neatsfoot Oil - it’s completely amazing for looking after leather. Use on the inside where the leather is slightly rougher and therefore more absorbent.

Leave it to soak in laid down on newspaper - and repeat 2 or 3 times until it is nicely softened. I then use it once a year for upkeep! 

Do you have any tips for looking after your tack? Let us know below!

Love,