Cleaned Bridle and Saddle

mini_b

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Yuk!
I clean my bridle every time it's used.

Says the woman who nearly got bucked off on the concrete yard a few days ago, because I hadn't brushed my horse off properly so hadn't realised he had a clump of burrs in his tail, which was then stuck between his butt cheeks

oooft nasty
I don't often brush my boys tail as it’s so poor. It looks better for it, was a bit bog brushy and the sheep ate half of it.
 

sbloom

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I quite enjoy cleaning my bridle, so it gets done quite often. Cleaning my saddle is a nightmare, so I'm sure I'll get round to it one day... (Oz's leather conditioner is fabulous, but it really is hard work!)

Take a dessert spoonful or however much you need, and melt it. Apply with hands or a piece of sheeting :).
 

Reacher

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I cleaned another bridle, martingale and saddle yesterday ! Still one bridle to go ....
Another fan of Oz’s conditioner here!
 

MissTyc

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I used to do mine every month, or any time they got wet or dirty. I have now been PLANNING to do mine since lockdown ... Hem .... I did do one saddle before camp because I was ashamed of it.
 

HazuraJane

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For horses with burrs in their tails - Cowboy Magic in the tube. The good Lord gave my horse the tails of three horses combined and Cowboy Magic is the only answer.
A lady of a certain age (81 yrs. old) who cleans her tack to like-new condition every single time she rides keeps me reaching for the saddle soap.
 

Mule

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I did mine last Saturday. It had got very bad. I don't usually leave it go too long because I don't dislike doing it. The saddle actually looks like new, probably because of the contrast between the before and after, The flash strap on the beast's micklem has to be at least wiped down after he wears it because he always manages to get green slime all over it. I've taken to just closing it on one of the loosest buckle holes now because I don't want to risk impeding his breathing because of his asthma. Loose or not so loose, he still deposits green slobber on it (and then wipes the rest of it on me) :)
 
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doodle

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I hate cleaning tack and rarely do it. But love clean tack and each time I do it I vow to do it more often.

Brushing tails is my favourite thing ever. It’s actually on my crisis plan as I find it so soothing. The rest of him might not get brushed but his tail does daily. I do sometimes have to remind myself to move on or I’ll be there for hours just brushing and stroking!!
 

doodle

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I think I hate it so much after a demanding boss. She liked it cleaned before going anywhere. So even a XC lesson it would have to be cleaned before and after. It was always me left to get horses ready.
 

Mule

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I wonder can you over clean? I don't mean just wiping the tack down but if you were using cleaning and conditioning products multiple times per week.
 

sbloom

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I wonder can you over clean? I don't mean just wiping the tack down but if you were using cleaning and conditioning products multiple times per week.

I wouldn't be using cleaning products, and just one good conditioner. Hand hot water, cotton dishcloth, wipe down as often as you can, and condition as needed and yes, you can overcondition. With Oz's conditioner I reckon between once a week and once a month depending on conditions and the leather. But don't layer products, keep it simple.
 

AUB

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I clean my bridle after every use. Not very thoroughly though, I’m not taking it apart, but I wipe it over with saddle soap and sometimes I’ll also use a spray conditioner. I also wipe down my boots and brush up the sheepskin on my girth. It’s just routine and it only takes a few minutes. Maybe I’m cheap, but I just don’t want to spend a lot on nice equipment and then not taking good care of it.
 

sbloom

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I clean my bridle after every use. Not very thoroughly though, I’m not taking it apart, but I wipe it over with saddle soap and sometimes I’ll also use a spray conditioner. I also wipe down my boots and brush up the sheepskin on my girth. It’s just routine and it only takes a few minutes. Maybe I’m cheap, but I just don’t want to spend a lot on nice equipment and then not taking good care of it.

You'd be better off not using soap and using a really good conditioner, the spray on ones aren't the best. I only recommend Oz's (cremedemonthe, unicornleather.co.uk) and Sedgwick, unless you know the full ingredient list, and know there are no nasties, I'd not use anything else. Probably cheaper than your current regime but absolutely agree with you that leather should be looked after, and the first few weeks are especially important.
 

oldie48

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I did mine last Saturday. It had got very bad. I don't usually leave it go too long because I don't dislike doing it. The saddle actually looks like new, probably because of the contrast between the before and after, The flash strap on the beast's micklem has to be at least wiped down after he wears it because he always manages to get green slime all over it. I've taken to just closing it on one of the loosest buckle holes now because I don't want to risk impeding his breathing because of his asthma. Loose or not so loose, he still deposits green slobber on it (and then wipes the rest of it on me) :)
Yup, I have the same problem and if I don't do it straight away is so much harder to get off.
 

Crazy_cat_lady

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I was absolutely in love with my synthetic bridle as it just went in the washing machine.

Unfortunately they done make it anymore and it had got a bit tatty so now I have a fake leather one so may actually have to wipe it down!
 

tda

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Well I did wipe some mud splatter off my bridle the other day ?

But got drenched this morning while hacking so once it all dries I'll have to clean and moisturise it all
 

sbloom

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Well I did wipe some mud splatter off my bridle the other day ?

But got drenched this morning while hacking so once it all dries I'll have to clean and moisturise it all

Clean while wet, condition (with a good waxy conditioner like those mentioned on the thread) while still slightly damp. Dry very slowly away from direct heat before and after :)
 

Squeak

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Clean while wet, condition (with a good waxy conditioner like those mentioned on the thread) while still slightly damp. Dry very slowly away from direct heat before and after :)

I did not know this. I always thought that it was best to leave to dry and then wipe clean and oil.

Mind = blown
 
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