• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
I Heart Horses
  • Care
  • News
  • Fun
  • Heartwarming
  • Videos
  • Rescue
  • Horse Fun
  • Tips For Riders
  • Fun Facts
  • Stories
  • Contact Us
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Care
  • News
  • Fun
  • Heartwarming
  • Videos
  • Rescue
  • Horse Fun
  • Tips For Riders
  • Fun Facts
  • Stories
  • Contact Us
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • search icon
    Homepage link
    • Care
    • News
    • Fun
    • Heartwarming
    • Videos
    • Rescue
    • Horse Fun
    • Tips For Riders
    • Fun Facts
    • Stories
    • Contact Us
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • ×
    Home » Horse Care

    How To Remove Mold From Tack & Prevent It From Returning

    Modified: Jun 3, 2020 by ihearthorses · This post may contain affiliate links · Leave a Comment

    Those of us who live in humid and/or wet climates know that it can really wreak havoc on our expensive tack. In these climates, tack can become moldy over time. I live in the Northwest of the United States, so I know wet. I just recently went to look for a piece of tack only to discover – MOLD and MILDEW. 

    moldy tack
    Image source: iHeartHorses.com

    Luckily, I didn’t just wipe it off and go about my business. That would be a terrible mistake. Why? Because mold and mildew spread when it’s airborne. So if you just brush moldy tack off in your tack room, you are not only breathing it in, but you are spreading it to all your other tack! Instead, follow the below steps to safely clean your tack. You will need a sponge, some rags, gloves and the following products: (you can use any saddle soap of your choosing)

    Moldytack2
    Image source: iHeartHorses.com

    #1 –  Kill the Spores

    Lay it out in the sun to kill the mold and mildew spores. For some of us, that may mean waiting a few days. I got lucky and it’s in the 70s this week. No sunshine in sight? Use a red heat lamp that you can get at your local farm store. You want to leave it in the sun/light for at least a few hours. Due to the moisture in our air, I left mine out all day.

    #2 – Clean with Vinegar

    Using the white vinegar and gloves so you don’t get the mold on yourself, clean off the mold using the vinegar on a rag or brush. Do outside, in a well ventilated area. A mask is another good precaution, so you don’t breathe it in.  If the mold is really thick on in cracks, a toothbrush works well.

    Image source: iHeartHorses.com
    Image source: iHeartHorses.com

    Be sure to use a toothbrush or very small brush to get in between the moldy tack harder. Unbuckle all buckles to thoroughly clean.

    moldy tack removal trick
    Image source: iHeartHorses.com

    #3 – Clean Again

    Vinegar is drying so now it’s time to clean again using your leather glycerin soap. Just like you normally would.

    #4 – Condition and Protect

    Follow your cleaning with Leather Therapy Restorer and Conditioner. This product is made to help prevent mold and mildew from forming! It really is a must for anyone living in a climate where moldy tack is a common issue. Every time you clean your tack, you should follow up with this product for continued protection. And here it is - mold free, cleaned, conditioned and ready for use!

    Image source: iHeartHorses.com
    Image source: iHeartHorses.com

    Preventing Future Mold

    There are other ways, aside from the conditioner that you can help prevent tack from becoming moldy. Here are a few tips:

    • A dehumidifier in your tack room will help remove excess moisture.
    • Insulating your tack room can also help prevent excess moisture.
    • Install a permanent heat lamp over your tack area (be sure its fire safe!!)
    • I personally find that the tack that molds is the tack that doesn’t seem to be getting used. Store little used tack in your house can help prevent it from getting moldy.

    Have other moldy tack tips that work for you? Share in the comments to help your fellow riders keep mold and mildew at bay.

    If you are interested in learning more about how to keep your tack in great shape, take a look at our article 5 Tips To Save Your Tack After Riding In The Rain. 

    How To Safely Remove Mold From Tack

    Horse Courses by Elaine Heney

    • Listening to the Horse - The Documentary by Elaine Heney & Grey Pony Films
    • Shoulder In & Out Training for better balance, bend & topline development with your horse
    • Over 110+ Polework Exercises & Challenges to Download
    • Dancing at Liberty & Creating Connection with Your Horse (11 lessons) - Grey Pony Films
     

     

    More Horse Care

    • A woman brushing a brown horse with a green brush.
      7 Ways to Get Rid Of Dandruff on Your Horse
    • Pros and Cons of Braiding Your Horse's Mane or Tail
    • lone brown horse at barn door
      10 Items Every Horse Owner Needs in Their Barn First Aid Kit
    • 6 Important Things The Horse Care Books Don't Tell You

    Sharing is caring!

    6.2K shares
    • Share5.2K
    • Tweet

    Reader Interactions

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Primary Sidebar

    Search

    Recent Posts

    • 11 Horse Gadgets and Apps for Tech Lovers
    • 11 Surprising Christmas Ideas for Horse Lovers
    • 6 Of The Best Places to See Wild Horses in the US
    • 7 Top Podcasts for Horse Lovers (Trending Now)
    • 11 Symptoms of DSLD In Horses

    Categories

    Follow Us

    • Facebook
    • Pinterest
    • Instagram
    • YouTube

    iHeartHorses.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2023 · iHeartHorses Inc.

    6.2K shares
    • 5.2K

    Terms and Conditions - Privacy Policy