Jan
One thing that any horseman must always do is check his own tack before competing. There is no worse feeling than losing a polo game, a showjumping jump-off, a cross-country, or a flat-race because your equipment lets you down. A snapped stirrup leather, a slipped girth, a broken rein, all would have had tell-tale signs of impending failure.
As a competitor, to lose because you didn’t bother to check your tack makes it your fault that you lost. Not your groom’s fault, but yours.
To win, you have to be prepared to win. If you aren’t prepared to win, you are just prepping for failure. That goes for checking all your equipment too. If your equipment failed you, you failed.
A great time to check your equipment it is at the start of each season.
Stirrup leathers and girth tabs are most prone to wear and tear. Check that they are not worn through and about to snap. Bridles and reins are very important too. Especially check your nosebands, and reins. There is nothing like a snapped rein to instil a bit of panic!
This week I had some girth straps replaced on some saddles. Older stirrup leathers were retired and replaced. We also ‘vetrapped’ the polo stirrup irons to make them sticky for clients, as we get back into giving lessons n 2023.
Check also that you are able to work the buckles of all your gear, that you can make adjustments as needed, and that they are not locked with rust. You might need to work with some WD-40 on the rusted parts.
For reconditioning hard, parched leather. I use Lincoln Superior Leather Balsam, which I find restores the leather very well.
As you are doing your tack check, take note of equipment that you might need to look at again during the season. You might separate some for use in everyday riding and chukkas, but not for competition or tournament play, when it would come under more stress.
I prepare a bag of spares when we start tournaments. It includes stirrups, girth, martingale, breastplate, surcingle, vetrap and sticky tape.
If you need replacement items, Zack’s Tack is having a Pre-Season Saddlery Sale, where all leather items are on sale. Discounts range from 10% to 50%. It’s a great time to check your tack.
