Tack Trouble

Tack can be hard to take care of! Listed below are some tack problems and solutions.

Here are some tack problems I have had:

Bought the Wrong Saddle! When I bought my first saddle, I bought a close contact by mistake. I did end up getting used to it. Find out what kind of saddle you need before you buy one. If you have a horseback riding teacher, check with him/her first.

Orange Spots: My saddle frequently gets orange spots on it. Your saddle may get these spots on it if the leather is wore out.
Solution: Clean you tack more often. Let it soak in a cleaner that has neatsfoot oil in it. Make shure that you use a tack sponge to clean your saddle (below). Try taking your tack to a leather shop. You might be able to purchase a special cleaner there. You may also be able to put die on the spots.

Breaking In: Breaking in a saddle takes a lot of patience. When you buy a new saddle, the leather is slick. This makes it difficult to ride in! To speed up the process of breaking a saddle in, try using a saddle cleaner with neatsfoot oil in it. The more you use a new saddle, the faster it will get broken in.

Can't Find the Right Sponge? When you clean your tack, you should use a tack sponge. You can buy tack sponges at tack shops or from horse catalogs. If you clean your tack with a regular sponge or washcloth, this can ruin your leather. It can make the die come off. This can cause orange spots (above).

Stirrup Leathers Stretching: We mount from the left side. This can cause your left stirrup leather to stretch more than the right. Switch your leathers to opposite sides of the saddle to prevent this.

Cover Up: Don't leave a plastic saddle cover on your saddle, leather needs to breath. However, plastic covers are great for rides in the rain.

Shape: Saddles take the shape of what they're placed on. When not riding, place your saddle on a saddle rack

Stirrups and Bits: Clean your metal stirrups and bits with soap and water.