To Begin with you will need to do a normal cleaning of your tack, when this is done regularly then it will be relatively quick and easy job. However, If you haven’t cleaned your tack in awhile you will need to allow yourself a little more time to complete the task.
What You Will Need.
1. 2 sponges
2. 2 buckets of hot water, one with a splash of vinegar 3. Saddle soap
4. Tack conditioner or oil
5. A dry clean cloth
6. Dandy Brush
Starting With The Saddle!
1. Remove your stirrups from the saddle, using a dandy brush clean all the sand from your stirrup grips
2. Place the stirrup irons into the bucket with hot water and vinegar, the vinegar will help the irons sparkle
3. Get your soap sponge, wet in the bucket of plain hot water and wring it out, apply a small amount of soap and begin to clean the saddle making sure to get into all the stitching area’s
4. Use your soft thistle toothbrush to help in the hard to reach area’s and stitching.
5. This is a good time to inspect your tack to ensure all stitching is in good working order
6. When you have the whole saddle cleaned you can apply a small amount of oil to the non shiney parts of leathers with a dry sponge. This is usually under the saddle flaps, stirrups leathers and girth leathers. Do not put oil on your seat!
7. When this is complete get your dry cloth and make sure there is no oil or soap left on the saddle otherwise you will end up with stained breeches at your show!
Now for the Bridle! –
1. This is similar to the above steps, remove the bit and place it in the bucket along with stirrup irons.
2. Get your soap sponge, wet and wring it out, apply a small amount of soap and begin to clean the bridle making sure to get into all the stitching area’s. be sure to open each buckle as you go to clean underneath it.
3. Normally the dirtiest parts of the bridle are the pieces that are touching the horses face and collecting sweat, hair and dust. So be mindful to spend extra time on these parts with your toothbrush. This will add to the lifespan of your bridle.
4. When you have the whole bridle cleaned you can apply a small amount of oil to it with your dry oil sponge. Do not oil the rubber parts of your reins.
Now for that professional finish!
1. Take your bit and stirrup irons out of your bucket, rinse and leave to dry
2. Get your shoe polish and apply a very small amount to any of the outward facing parts of the bridle. Do not put it on the inner parts as it will rub off on your horses face and that isn’t a good look, especially on a grey!
3. Use your dry cloth to rub off any excess polish, elbow grease is required for this!
4. Apply a small amount of metal polish to the irons
and cheek pieces of bit (do not put any on the bit itself as your horse will not appreciate the taste!)
5. Apply metal polish to any other buckles on your bridle and saddle studs/D rings
6. Get your toothpick and a dry cloth, use this to poke through any holes on the cheek pieces, nose bands etc to get rid of any soap or polish that may be hiding in there
7. If you have a dimonte brow band remove it from the bridle and use the vinegar water to clean this and bring up as much sparkle as possible! A window cleaning product could also be used for this if you have any nearby.
8. Lastly a very small amount of Vaseline can be applied to the noseband before entering the ring. This will give it its final shine but can also collect dust so leave this in your ring bag for your last minute prep.
NB** If you have any other pieces of tack such as martingales, boots etc be sure to give it the same treatment as the rest of your tack. Happy cleaning!
Article by Clara Mulligan BHSAI, Clara runs a very successful Clipping & Coaching Service Throughout Ireland. This Article originally appeared in the June 2019 Edition of Irish Sport Horse Magazine.