Signs your Tack Needs Replacing
As any rider knows, good tack is essential to the safety, comfort, and performance of both horse and rider. However, over time, wear and tear can take its toll. Regular maintenance and timely replacement of tack are necessary to ensure that everything remains in top shape. Neglecting this can impact your horse’s wellbeing as well as your own safety.
So what signs do we have to look out for when our tack could need replacing or some TLC?
- Cracks - dry leather is prone to cracking before tearing, so any cracks should be taken seriously. When checking your tack, pay close attention to areas where metal and leather connect, as these spots endure more stress and may not always be cleaned and conditioned properly meaning they’re more prone to cracking.
- Visible damage - Loose stitching can impact the durability of the leather and make breakages more likely. Tears can impact the integrity, durability and strength of the leather.
Loose stitching can be repaired by one of our saddlers - get in touch for further details.
- Stretched leather - stretched buckle holes indicate that the leather is weakening. If the stretching continues, it can lead to tearing, which might cause bits or stirrups to drop suddenly without warning. In some cases, the leather could fail completely in these areas. While using a different hole may work temporarily, as long as it doesn’t negatively impact the fit, any stretched leather should be considered compromised. It's best to replace it as soon as possible.
- Leather drying out - Leather is full of oils and waxes, if the leather dries out it can become brittle meaning it is more likely to snap. Discolouration, cracking and the leather feeling more rigid are all indicators your leather needs some love. If your leather dries out to a certain extent, the leather will become compromised and will need replacing.
The better you look after your leather the longer it will last. Check out our blog - ‘Your Ultimate Guide to Tack Cleaning'.
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