The material that a particular item is made out of will direct how it needs to be cleaned and cared for. Generally, tack or horse gear should be stored in a position that will encourage it to keep its shape. The gear shouldn’t be in direct sunlight and should be kept in a room that is protected from the elements, cold and dampness.
Keeping rodents away with bait or a trusty stable cat is also a good idea. Bait should always be kept out of reach of children.
Leather Items
Leather is often preferred over synthetic items by horse people, as it has a wonderful feel and look to it. It can last longer also, but this is reflected in the initial purchase price.
Care must be taken when cleaning leather products. Generally these can be cleaned with an oil based product or saddle soap. When cleaning leather gear, it should first be wiped over with a damp cloth to get rid of any excess dirt, sweat or grime. Once this has been done, the leather cleaning product can be applied and evenly worked into the material.
When it comes to storing leather gear for any period of time, it can be worth cleaning the gear thoroughly before putting away. It should be noted that saddle soap if applied to a product that is to be stored can result in the accumulation of mould. It may be better to use an oil based product or wait a length of time after using saddle soap before the item is put into a bag and secured out of the way. This way the item is able to properly dry out, decreasing the likelihood of mould accumulation.
Synthetic Horse Gear
In recent years, the use of synthetic materials such as saddles and bridles has become increasingly popular. Synthetic gear is cheaper, can be easier to clean and in the form of some synthetic saddles, offers adjustability that some leather products can’t.
In equine businesses where a small amount of gear is used for a large number of horses, synthetic gear can be really useful. An example of this is PVC bridles that can be dipped in disinfectant, dried off quickly and used on another horse. Synthetic gear is easily wiped over with a damp cloth and passed on to the next person that needs to use it.
The materials to clean leather and synthetic gear can vary, much like the reasons why people will choose one type of material for their saddle or bridle over another. Whatever is used, care of horse gear should be seriously considered and practiced. The better the gear is looked after, the longer it will be able to do its job for the horse owner and provide comfort for the horse and handler.
Chris Thomas - C. Thomas has studied and worked with horses since 2001. She teaches horse studies part time and is undertaking an Equine Science ...
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