storing tack? how to stop mould.

[keep the faith]

I got a new saddle and bridle a week before christmas which means my old saddle and bridle which are still in great shape and cost quite a bit are sitting in the tackroom, how do i keep them from going mouldy? is it just a case of taking the time and cleaning and soaping them every few weeks?

i don't want to sell them as the saddle still fits and i only got a new one with knee blocks for jumping the other one i will be using for showing and working hunter classes in the summer.

[Skyhuntress]

Well mold is usually caused by damp air, so the best way to prevent is to store tack in an airtight container. Invest in a tack box or one of those huge long tool boxes that you can close.

[alpha1]

is it just a case of taking the time and cleaning and soaping them every few weeks?

Thats the best way

[Peanut]

I have the same problem but a fleece saddle cover has helped quite a lot.

[jovi_y2k2]

i find cleaning with nikwax leather cleaner and then using the leather protector helps as its antibacterial so kills the bacteria that causes the mould

[Loopslou]

try putting a coat of dubbin on the leatherwork or a leather treatment call Kao Cho Lin (its red, messy but seals leather for years), then every few weeks, wipe off, any mould will come away with it but won't have been able to penetrate the leather. Apply again and leave for another while.

It will keep the leather nice and supple too.

[Alfies-slave]

If you are only going to use it in the summer, store it at home.

I have heaters in my harness room. They are running on low all the time. This takes the damp out of the air just enough to stop things rotting. Too dry and hot and the leather will go brittle, dry and crack.

Leather needs storing somewhere dry (but not roasting hot) with a good circulation of air. Sealing it in an airtight box will make it sweat and condensate leading to rot.

It is best not to let tack get mouldy, you might be able to wipe it off the face of the leather, or cover the leather with dubbing etc but the rot will ruin the stitching and webbing that holds saddles together from the inside. Mould can be quite dangerous and cause the stitching to break. Its not fun when reins, leathers and girths snap.

[becs]

I'd second the advice to avoid letting it ever get mouldy in the first place - when it has, it seems impossible to eradicate.

Our last pony's saddle had some mould. Despite bringing it home and cleaning it with every product, it still recurred, even kept dry at home.

[Gimp]

I would agree with a heater on low in the tack room, and just an occasional wipe over, dry then oil ( neatsfoot or something) will keep it lovely !

If you have no electric I would take it home to be honest, its so easy to leave things to go mankey in the ole tack room!

[Wally]

You won't stop it going mouldy if it is on an outside tack room, unheated.

Tack likes to be stored a a cool room temperature. Not hot, just comfy for you.

[keep the faith]

it's in the tack room in the inside stable block its quite cold in there, no heater and hadn't been used in a while. yard lay empty for over a year.

looks like i'll just clean it when i clean the other tack.

[Jessey]

Clean it and oil it up, then get some brown waxed paper and wrap it up in it - seems to keep the oil on the leather and the damp off always worked for us anyway we kept our spares in the loft - warmish but cool and good airflow etc

[buttons]

Our stored tack always went mouldy in the winter - untill I bought a de-humidifier!

There's no heating on, but the de-humidifier keeps the damp at bay and the tack is all looking fine.

Dont, whatever you do, put it in plastic bags to keep the "damp" out - leather is damp, and all that does is keep the damp in!!

If it does get mouldy, it's no big deal - just wipe over with a damp sponge before you clen it properly and it will be fine.