Tack cleaning - strip or wipe only?

[Spottyappy]

Just pondering if it is just my area, or have people lost the ability to take tack apart(strip) and clean it?
My daughter goes to a college and works part time at a riding school. Neither take the tack apart properly. Bridles get a wipe and soap while being left intact, same with saddles, and this includes leaving stirrup leathers on.
She is the only person on the riding school yard who can strip a bridle, check stitches etc. Even the YO daughter is unable to,In spite of numerous college qualifications from one of the better thought of UK equestrian colleges!
Which all alarms me, as the safety of the tack should surely be paramount anyway, but especially with lots of different riders using it.
How can anyone check stitching properly if tack is not stripped, or indeed generally check for damage or even general wear and tear?
So, what does everyone here do?

 

[Potato!]

I always strip my tack. It's how I was taught to in the riding school many years ago.

 

[mynutmeg]

I try and wipe mine over most of the time but it does get stripped regularly - I remember learning it at a pony camp/holiday thing, we had to strip and clean tack every night. I think I was about 8 at the time

 

[tinap]

Wipe it if its just a bit mucky for general use, but always strip it for cleaning before a show or PC

 

[niagaraduval]

When I was young I also used to strip and clean my tack every week. I haven't done it for ages now though, I think I stripped and cleaned it last summer. Gets a wipe down with glycerine soap and leather balm once in a while. I should do it more often I know, but don't compete at all so don't have to be immaculate for hacking. I agree, it is important though, and I know loads of people who don't actually know how to put a bridle together.

 

[Shysmum]

I use tack cleaning wipes for my bridle after every ride, and then a proper clean (ahem) when I can be bothered. My saddle is drytex, so just a wipe over, and my girth goes under the tap after every ride.

 

[[69117]]

All my tack and my liveries tack is wiped over in tack every time it's used, and stripped and properly cleaned once a week without fail.

I hate seeing dirty tack on horses, and especially hate seeing dirt in areas that make it obvious the bridle hasn't been stripped for yonks!

 

[Coblover63]

Proper strip - if you do it regularly, all your buckles/billets remain flexible so it takes seconds. Can't abide that feeling on my hands of sweat/neck grease from reins *shudders*

 

[Christmas Crumpet]

Mine gets cleaned before and after every day's hunting - so 4 times a week. Always stripped down. It only takes 10 mins to do and I find it far easier cleaning the separate bits of leather. Its really fiddly otherwise.

 

[BobbyMondeo]

i always strip it when i clean it but i must admit it probably doesnt get cleaned as often as it should