Dennis Moreland’s Tack Tips

COURTESY OF DENNIS MORELAND TACK

With big fence runs, deep stops and quick turns on a cow, it’s critical as cow horse riders to keep our tack in excellent condition. Tack that’s in good condition also helps to keep the communication between ourselves and our horses at top level. Even if it doesn’t break, dried and cracked leather does not give the same signal as well cared for leather.

It’s a great idea to check your tack for wear or damage before every ride. I recommend wiping it down with saddle soap after every ride. Strap goods, including bridles, should be hung properly where they have enough space to hang naturally.

If you haven’t used a piece of tack in a while it’s especially important to check it over carefully, apply saddle soap, oil it if dry, and make necessary repairs before use. Just like your horse, if you don’t ride it, your tack won’t perform as well as when it’s used continuously. You’ll also want to give all your tack a good deep cleaning every few months to help preserve it and keep it at its highest level of performance.

To properly deep clean and oil a piece of tack you’ll need saddle soap, neatsfoot oil or a substitute like olive oil, and a couple of pieces of sheepskin or clean cloth. I’m careful not to use products that will leave a film on leather.

Take the piece of tack completely apart. Check both the leather and hardware for wear, damage and dryness. Pay careful attention to the folds in the leather, and replace any parts that are worn, damaged or cracked.

Spray or rub saddle soap liberally onto your sheepskin or cloth. Rub each piece of leather until all dirt is removed. If there’s mold on the leather, remove it by rubbing the leather briskly with a mixture of one part mouthwash to two parts water. Let the leather dry before applying saddle soap.

After using saddle soap, if the leather is dry enough to need oil, wipe it down with a clean cloth. Liberally apply neatsfoot oil. Be sure to apply oil to the edges of the leather and inside any loops. Move keepers and apply oil to the leather underneath. Let the oil dry for an hour or two. The leather can be placed in a warm spot while drying, but avoid direct sunlight.

Buff off any excess oil off with a soft cloth. You can use a little bit of saddle soap on the cloth if you’d like. Replace any worn or damaged parts. Reassemble your tack and you’re ready to ride.

Saddle soap is a product made from mild soap, glycerin or lanoline (sebaceous gland wax of sheep) and often beeswax. Saddle soap is used to clean and protect leather. Neatsfoot oil is a fat rendered from the lower legs of cattle that doesn’t harden when cold. It is used to soften and condition leather.

NRCHA member Dennis Moreland, owner of Dennis Moreland Tack, has been making quality working and show tack since 1976. Dennis Moreland Tack is a full-line manufacturer of quality handmade tack and he is here to help you. Visit www.dmtack.com or call 817-312-5305 to see how Dennis can help you with your tack needs.