Your tack is a huge investment! If you want it to last for a long, long time, you are going to have to care for it properly. With the right care, your tack should last for years. So what is the best way to care for your tack? Well, try remembering these four easy words: clean, condition, place, and repair.

Cleaning Your Tack

Each time you use your tack, you can bet it gets sweaty, dusty, and dirty. If you don't remove grime as it accumulates, the leather will eventually become dry, rough, and non-supple, which is not only hard on your hands, it is hard on your horse's body. If leather gets really dry it will crack, and once that happens your tack can never be restored to its original state.

So, how to ensure that dust, grime, sweat, and dirt doesn't build up on your tack? A good rule of thumb is to clean your tack every time you use it. Give saddles, bridles and other leather tack a good once-over after every ride, and a really deep, thorough cleaning about once per week. When cleaning your tack use more "elbow grease" than water. Make sure the rag you use to clean your tack is well rung out so that it is almost dry. And always use another rag to immediately wipe away any excess water on your tack.

Some of your tack is washable and can be thrown right in your washing machine. It is reasonable to launder items such as saddle pads and girth covers about once a week.

Also be sure to rinse off your horse's bit after every ride. Your wouldn't want to put something rough, rusty, or dirty in your mouth, and it's unfair to ask your horse to do so!

Conditioning Your Tack

Leather is basically an animal skin that has been "tanned," which means the smooth side has been sealed and the underside has not been, which allows it to absorb water, oil, or fat. Leather contains natural fat and oil, and this is what helps keep leather soft and supple. It is important that those natural fats and oils remain in the leather. As long as you clean and condition your leather regularly, you won't have a problem. It is when leather gets wet, dirty, and is exposed to heat, sweat, and salt that it runs the risk of drying out.

But, you ask, how do you keep your leather from coming into contact with all of these things? Well, basically you can't. But what you can do is make sure to replenish the lost fat and oil in the leather. How do you do this? By conditioning clean leather with vegetable or neatsfoot oil. After conditioning saddle soap can be applied to the leather to protect the leather.

Placement of Your Tack

Where you keep your tack is of utmost importance. It must be kept somewhere clean, dry, and where it won't be dropped, scratches, or interfered with by animals. Keep it away from damp places, as well as hot, dry places. Always cover your saddle, and keep it on a saddle rack.

Repairing Your Tack

No matter how careful you are, your tack will suffer some wear and tear. So be sure to check your saddle for wear and tear damage every time you use it, as well as when you clean it. Remember, the smaller the problem is, the easier it is to repair. Don't let damage go to far, or you may not be able to repair it.