How to Clean a Dirty Horse Tack
Cleaning a dirty horse tack isn't difficult it just takes time. Having a clean tack will make the riding experience more comfortable for you and the horse. Over time the sweat from the horse and debris you pick up from riding could cause the tack to get dirty and smell bad.
Things You'll Need:
- Bucket
- Water
- Saddle Soap
- Sponge
- Mink Oil
- Cloth
- Fill a bucket with water and saddle soap. You should be able to find saddle soap at a local farm supply shop. You shouldn't need to mix a lot of soap, just enough to make a nice lather.
- Dip a sponge in the bucket and ring it out to allow any excess water to drop back into the bucket. You should be able to use any household cleaning sponge, but make sure it's clean before you start using it.
- Wipe the entire tack with the sponge. Make sure your thoroughly clean every little nook and cranny above and underneath the tack. Let the soap penetrate into the tack for a few minutes to eat away at all the bacteria.
- Wipe the tack dry with a soft cloth after a few minutes. Allow the tack to air dry before continuing.
- Protect the leather with mink oil. You should be able to find mink oil at various local stores. The mink oil will help prevent moisture from damaging the leather parts of the tack. Try getting into the routine of cleaning your tack on a regular basis to help prolong its life.