We all know the importance of tack maintenance, but we might still struggle to make it a regular habit. Here are three compelling reasons why keeping your tack clean should be a top priority. There are hidden costs associated with not taking care of your tack. Don’t let it be your horse who pays the price.
Maintain your tack regardless of its price. If you treat your gear like it’s the most valuable equipment out there, you can preserve its longevity, and the health of your horse.
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1. Your Horse’s Comfort and Health
A well-oiled saddle might catch some attention at the barn and give you street cred, but your horse’s comfort is the real priority. Dirty, stiff tack can create more than just minor irritation – it can lead to painful skin issues and open sores. And don’t neglect your cinch, breast collar, and headstall. A dirty headstall can rub your horse’s head raw.
One common problem is cinch galls, which often develop from neglected, grimy cinches rubbing against your horse’s sensitive skin. Regular cleaning helps maintain the suppleness, ensuring your tack moves naturally with your horse rather than causing friction and discomfort.
On top of that, a stiff saddle pad can rub your horse’s back and withers, creating hot spots, and even causing nerve damage. Clean your saddle pad every 50 rides or so, and replace it when the life is left and you can’t keep it supple anymore.
[READ: Is It Time to Clean Your Saddle Pad?]
2. Safety Through Early Detection
Clean tack isn’t just about aesthetics – it’s about safety. The cleaning process gives you an opportunity to inspect every inch of your equipment, from headstall to cinch. This thorough examination helps you spot potential issues like worn stitching, cracking leather, or weakening buckles before they become dangerous problems. By catching these issues early, you can make repairs before equipment failure puts both you and your horse at risk. If you’ve ever had tack break on you mid-ride, you know the feeling of fear that grips you. Avoid this by carefully inspecting all of your tack, often.
Not maintaining your tack can cost you dearly down the road. Whether you go to dally and your cinch snaps, or your headstall breaks during a sliding stop, failing to inspect your gear can be catastrophic. Carefully look at all different materials. Dry-rotted leather can crack and break, mohair cinches that are falling apart are dangerous and can rub your horse raw, and we all know that Chicago screws can be less than trustworthy.
3. Long-Term Cost Savings
Quality tack is often a significant investment, and proper maintenance helps protect your investment. Regular cleaning and conditioning prevents leather from drying out, cracking, or becoming brittle. When you consider that a well-maintained saddle can last for decades while neglected tack might need replacement in just a few years, the time spent on cleaning quickly pays for itself. Think of tack maintenance as an investment in your equipment’s longevity – and your wallet’s health.
Incorporating regular tack cleaning into your horse care routine isn’t just about pride in appearance – it’s about ensuring your horse’s comfort, your safety, and the longevity of your equipment. Start working on making tack cleaning a habit, whether that’s weekly or monthly, and both you and your horse – and your wallet – will reap the benefits.
