How to Clean a Horse's Bridle

Cleaning your horse's bridle at least weekly is one essential part of being a good horse owner. Cleaning your horse's bridle ensures it stays in good condition and thus is safer. As you clean your bridle you will notice if there are any areas the look weak or damaged before its too late.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• bar of saddle soap
• 2 buckets of clean fresh water (one of them with hot water if possible)
• 2 small sponges
• 2 clean dry towels

1. Hang your bridle on a bridle hook and set up your tack cleaning tools, as outlined in the what you need section.

2. Remove the bit from the bridle and place it in the bucket of clean hot water to soak. Do not use soap. Soaking your bit in hot water will make it easier to remove the grim that builds up on the bit, especially around the joints.

3. Wet your bridle. Using the other bucket of water wet your bridle with a soap free clean sponge. You can even quickly dip your bridle in the bucket of water.

4. Clean your bridle with saddle soap. The best tack cleaner is a simple bar of saddle soap. Use your other sponge and rub it over the bar of saddle soap. Do not wet this sponge. Start on one side of the bridle and rub the soapy (but not sudsy) sponge over it. Undo each buckle completely (don't forget what hole it was on) and thoroughly clean all the little areas where sweat and dirt can build up.

5. Dry your bridle. Using a clean dry towel dry your bridle. Do this before you reattach the various pieces to make sure it is completely dry in all areas.

6. Rinse your hands. Make sure any soap from cleaning your bridle is rinsed off of your hands.

7. Remove the bit from the bucket of hot water. Using your other clean dry towel (not the one used on the bridle) rub the bit. Try wetting a corner of the towel and scrubbing at the grim that has built up on the bit. You can also use your finger nails to scrap it. The soak should make the bit much easier to clean. Rinse the bit in the bucket of hot water and then dry it with the other side of the towel. Reattach the bit to your bridle.

Tips & Warnings

• Use a separate towel on the bit so that you do not get any soap on it
• rinse your hands before cleaning the bit
• Remember what hole your cheek pieces where on, so you can put your bridle back together at the right settings for your horse.
• Don't wet the sponge that you use for the saddle soap and try to avoid too many suds.

Resources

• How to Clean a Saddle
• How to Clean a Horse's White Socks
• How to Build a Grooming Kit For Your Horse
• How to Groom a Horse

[westernmom]

on 4/11/2009 I always use a toothbrush to get those hard to reach areas clean. Good detailed directions and so important to do! 5*