Tack cleaning may not be your favourite task, but it’s essential, and using one of the best saddle soaps and leather conditioners will help your leatherwork last longer and keep it looking smarter.
Saddles and bridles, as well as other items of leather tack, such as the best anatomical girths, are a real investment, so it’s important to clean and look after them. Luckily, there are many saddle soaps and conditioners available to make this necessary chore quicker and easier.
Best saddle soaps and tack cleaners
Absorbine Horseman’s One Step
Size: 425g
This all-in-one cream formula cleans and conditions your tack in one go. It penetrates leather to remove ground in dirt and sweat, and its lanolin-rich formula conditions and preserves to prevent cracking and drying out, keeping items soft and pliable with no sticky residue. It is suitable for use on natural or synthetic leather.
NAF Sheer Luxe Leather Cleanse & Condition
Size: 500ml
H&H Review: 9/10, H&H Approved
This deep cleansing formula is easy to use and leaves a non-sticky natural finish.
Professional dressage rider and trainer Rob Waine tested a group of tack cleaners for H&H on his yard and he said “this product was easy to use and it seemed to last a long time, leaving the tack very clean”. Read his full NAF Sheer Luxe Cleanse & Condition review.
Hy Thelwell Grooming A Good All Rounder Tack Cleaner
Size: 400ml
This bubblegum-scented gentle tack cleaner spray helps to prevent mould and mildew growth when used regularly, while the added glycerine keeps the leather soft and supple.
Supreme Products Soft Leather Soap
Size: 450g
This soft leather soap can be used on all leather items to clean, soften, refresh and add shine – it is perfect for keeping show tack in pristine condition.
Aqueos Tack Cleaner & Disinfectant Spray
Sizes: 750ml or 5l
This cleaner and disinfectant is alcohol free, fast acting and continues to work after application. It removes dirt grease and sweat and is non sticky and fragrance free.
The pH-neutral formula kills 99.99% of viruses, bacteria, and fungi, including strangles and ringworm, without drying or damaging traditional leather or modern synthetic equipment. It is also available in a handy wipe form.
Lincoln Superior Leather Care 3 Step System Tack Cleaning Kit
Sizes: 500ml + 500ml + 200g
This kit is an easy way to ensure you’re covering all bases – it has everything you need including two sponges to give your tack a little TLC.
The leather cleansing gel (500ml) uses a concentrated formula to gently clean the leather, while the leather balsam (200g) is a creme that restores suppleness, protects against mould and prevents cracking and dyeing. Finally, the oil (500ml) reproofs and protects new and old leather.
Carr & Day & Martin Belvoir Tack Cleaner Mitts
Size: Pack of 10 Mitts
These tack cleaning mitts are 100% biodegradable and designed to used like a glove for an easy and effective tack cleaning experience. You can easily clean both sides of your leather in one easy wipe faster and make cleaning those hard-to-reach areas much easier. It includes a turning tab to easily use both sides and can also be used inside out especially for very dirty tack for extra cleaning power. The mitts are also suitable for use on synthetic leather.
I have these mitts and they are super handy and great for giving your leatherwork a clean. I am not an obsessive tack cleaner, but these mitts make this chore more bearable. They don’t require water, so they’re perfect for on the lorry or in the tack room.
Leather conditioners: what’s on the market?
Oakwood Leather Conditioner
Sizes: 125ml, 500ml or 1kg
This leather conditioner from Oakwood provides intense rehydration, while softening leather and repelling water for overall protection. It contains the perfect balance of natural nourishing waxes and oils including lanolin, beeswax, emu oil, tea tree and eucalyptus oil.
Leovet Leather Care Intensive
Size: 250ml
This natural leather care product cleans and creates a smooth, matt look, while also helping to waterproof the leather and protect against mould and mildew. It is ideal for use on riding boots.
Race Leather Wax
Sizes: 500ml or 3000ml
A premium natural leather conditioner made with nourishing oils and pure beeswax, handcrafted in the UK. It deeply conditions, waterproofs and protects leather while leaving a rich, long-lasting finish.
Renapur Leather Balsam
Sizes: 50ml, 200ml or 1l
This leather balsam is a conditioner and protector that is specially formulated to clean, rejuvenate and nourish leatherwork. It is made with natural waxes and oils to restore softness and long-lasting shine. It’s easy to apply and absorbs quickly into the leather, providing long-lasting protection against moisture, stains and scratches.
Effax Leather Balsam
Sizes: 50ml, 150ml, 500ml or 5l
Effax Leather Balsam offers durability of leather while enhancing its appearance with a radiant shine. Enriched with nourishing ingredients like beeswax, lanolin, and avocado oil, it deeply conditions, keeping leather soft, supple, and protected. Ideal for maintaining saddles, bridles, boots, and other leather equipment.
Carr & Day & Martin Belvoir Step 2 Tack Conditioner Spray
Sizes: 500ml, 5l
This conditioner spray is based on the original solid bar best saddle soaps recipe and softens, preserves and shines leather. The clear conditioner is formulated with glycerine and coconut oil, for regular use with minimum effort. The glycerine fills and seals pores in the leather to form a barrier against salt, dirt, grease and water. Use after ‘Step 1’ Belvoir tack cleaner.
How often should you clean your tack?
It is good practice to wipe down your tack after every ride with one of the best saddle soaps to remove sweat and dirt that could end up causing irritation to your horse or damage your tack. If you ride in wet, or muddy conditions and your saddle gets dirty, it is important to clean your tack afterwards to remove any mud and dirt from the leather. Here’s some more advice on how to clean your horse’s tack.
If you’re really short on time there are products that clean and condition in one. It’s recommended to take your tack apart once a month so that you can give it a thorough clean and check stitching and leather for any damage.
How to store your tack and leatherwork
Often overlooked, storage is an important part of looking after your tack and keeping it in good condition. A tack room should be dry with good ventilation as damp conditions can cause leather to go mouldy and high temperatures may dry the leather out and it becomes brittle.
For added protection, ensure your saddle is covered with a cloth or saddle cover (like this one), and that it is placed on a saddle stand or rack rather than on the floor. Bridles should also be hung up to keep them protected and you may also opt for a bridle bag (like this one) for added protection.
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You might also like:
Your ultimate guide to tack cleaning – learn the very best way to do it
13 anatomical bridles to ensure maximum comfort
8 anatomical girths for freedom of movement and saddle stability
Leather headcollars for travelling, competing and everyday wear
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