Take the hassle out of cleaning your tack with our ultimate tack cleaning guide.

Whether you ride every day or just at weekends, your tack has to work hard. Sweat, grease, dirt and the environment all impact leather, leaving it dry, stiff and prone to cracking if it’s not cared for properly.

Looking after leather doesn’t need to be complicated though. With the right products and a simple routine, your tack will stay clean, supple and looking its best.

We would always recommend using our leather care products because we know exactly what goes into them. Some leather cleaners and conditioners contain harsh chemicals which will strip and degrade the leather over time. We only put natural ingredients in, caring for and protecting your leather gently and naturally. Easy to apply and finished with a delicious cherry bakewell scent, Henry James leather care will leave your tack feeling cleansed, nourished and supple.

Shop all Henry James leather care, including our complete Leather Care Kit.

You’ll need:

• Warm water
• Soft brush
• Microfibre cloth
• Sponge
• Leather cleaner
• Leather conditioner
• Leather oil

Dirt, grease and sweat needs to be removed before conditioning. Any oils and dirt will break down the leather, causing it to weaken and crack.

1. First unbuckle your tack and take it apart. Gently brush off any loose dirt, dry mud or horse hair.
2. Using a sponge or microfibre cloth and warm water, wipe down the leather to remove surface grease and sweat. Keep rinsing your cloth/sponge as you go.
3. Using a soap-based leather cleaner will help to lift the dirt and grime. Simply spray it onto a damp sponge and apply to the leather. Look for one made from natural ingredients, as some harsher ingredients risk damaging the leather. 

Our Leather Cleaner is formulated from coconut and castor oil to lift away oil, dirt and grease gently.

Conditioning is an important step. It replenishes the natural oils and fats in the leather that are lost over time. The natural fats within the leather keep it soft, supple and resistant to cracking, so if these aren’t replenished this is when the leather becomes dry, brittle and prone to damage.

Make sure the bridle is dry after cleaning. Use a cloth or a sponge to work in the conditioner. Apply liberally, adding more as needed - a little goes a long way. 

We would recommend using our Bridlework Balm on our bridles. It’s made from natural waxes and oils to deeply nourish and treat the leather:

• Beeswax works as a natural conditioner
• Lanolin waterproofs the leather
• Carnauba adds shine

Using Bridlework Balm either at least once a week, or after every ride, will keep your bridle looking and feeling its best.

For our saddles, we’d recommend using Soft Grease. It’s a deeply penetrating conditioner that soaks into the pores of the leather, preventing it from drying out and leaving it soft and supple. Its smooth texture makes it really easy to apply.

Oiling is an important step helping leather to maintain flexibility, strength and overall condition. We’d recommend oiling your tack before its first use, then any time you feel the leather needs moisture putting back in (every three months should be plenty). 

Less is more with oil. Over-oiled leather becomes too soft and prone to stretching or losing its shape. Our Leather Oil is made from a mixture of high quality oils for deep nourishment.

After every ride: wipe away any obvious sweat and dirt

Weekly: clean and condition

Every three months: oil leather if it feels dry or stiff

After riding in heavy rain or muddy conditions: dry out naturally and clean straight away

Shop all Henry James leather care here, for natural products you can trust.