Tack care

[cyndi]

I bought a saddle that came with a breast collar and a girth, but I switched out the saddle to Western rigging, and I bought a different breast collar. I set the two items aside in a tote since I wasn't using them anymore, but because of the hot humid summer we had, the tack became a bit mildewy in the tote

Is there any way to clean up the tack? The breast collar has suede piping down the center of it, and it has a bit of mildew on the piping. I've washed the girth, but it still smells like mildew. Will the strength of both items be compromised? Should I even bother with trying to clean them up? If it's a matter of integrity of the tack, I don't want to take any chances. There wasn't much mildew on them, but they smell bad, so I'm not sure if there is more going on inside. They are mostly nylon, no leather except the suede piping.

[ghostrider]

It's probably just on the surface. Have you tried looking for a suede cleaner like Kiwi suede and nubuck at Walmart or a shoe department? As for the smell, I'd hang it up in the tack room so it can air off after cleaning.

[cyndi]

After posting my message I went online and found out a few things. A good cleaner, as you suggested, was mentioned

Once I discovered that they had mildew on them, I pulled them from the tote and have had them in the tack room since. I even set them out in the sun when it was nice enough outside. The problem is that the barn is really moist inside, even now with the colder weather, so I just brought the two items home and will try to get them cleaned up and dried decently.

Thanks!
~C~

[ghostrider]

I have a lot of tack hidden in my "horse themed" bedroom. LOL