Don’t Throw Cinches in the Washing Machine

Dirty cinches can gall your horse’s skin, so clean them frequently. If you have a mohair cinch, Moreland advises against putting it in your washing machine. 

“First of all, it’s hard on your washing machine,” Moreland says, “And it’s damaging to your cinch. A washing machine tends to unweave the braid on a cord cinch.” 

A better solution is soaking the cinch in a small tub of water with a few squirts of Woolite and letting it soak overnight or for a few hours. 

“After soaking, take the cinch out, hang it up and rinse it with a water hose and a sprayer with some pressure,” Moreland says. “You just have to keep rinsing it until you get the soap out.” 

After washing and drying, if your cinch still has hair on it, Moreland suggests using a rubber curry comb to rub on the hair spots to gently get the loose hair out. 

Properly cared for, good quality tack will last you many years. You’ll be investing time in your safety by regularly taking apart, cleaning, oiling and inspecting your leather gear. 

Care07 tackcleaning
Add a dab of clear nail polish to the holes before re-screwing Chicago screws to keep them from coming loose.

Meet the Experts 

Dennis Moreland started producing horse tack in 1976. In 1990, his business evolved into Cowboy Tack, which became one of the world’s leading makers of equine tack. In 2003, he opened Dennis Moreland Tack in Weatherford, Texas, where he continues to make high quality hand-made tack today. 

Stacy Autry co-owns Shiloh Saddlery with Kelly autry in Springdale, Arkansas. Shiloh Saddlery was formerly Cecil Phillips Saddlery, opened in 1970. The Autrys took over the company in 1995, and today make saddles and tack for the Western horse and rider. 


This article was originally published in the May 2016 issue of Barrel Horse News.

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