How to Clean a Wintec Bridle

Ron and Ken Bates, founders of Bates Saddlery of Perth, Australia, make Wintec synthetic leather bridles and saddles, as well as the natural leather Bates models. In 1998, they began producing tack using a leather-like material they call Equileather that they claim is long-wearing, lighter than leather, and made for high-performance equestrian sport. Because of the nature of the materials used in building Wintec tack, you don't need to oil your bridle, thus making your tack cleaning chores faster and easier than cleaning a natural leather bridle.

Things You'll Need

  • Large, clean towel
  • Clean, wet rag
  • Wintec Saddle Cleaner
  • 2 small, wet sponges
  • Hard bristle brush
  • Small, clean towel
Show More

Instructions

    • 1

      Pull your bridle apart by unbuckling the reins, the cheekpieces and the bit. Slip the noseband and the browband from the two cheekpieces and separate the two straps of the crownpiece.

    • 2

      Place all of the separated bridle parts, plus the bit, on a large, clean towel on a flat surface.

    • 3

      Wipe all the bridle pieces with a clean, wet rag to remove any lingering dust or dirt.

    • 4

      Spray the bridle with Wintec Saddle Cleaner, the manufacturer's recommended product, and ensure that all straps are wet on both sides.

    • 5

      Use a small, damp sponge to rub the cleaner into the synthetic leather and stitching of all bridle parts, removing any remaining bits of dirt or sweat. You should be able to observe the cleaner forming suds on the leather.

    • 6

      Rinse the bridle of any cleaning suds with a clean, wet sponge and allow the bridle parts to dry in a spot that is out of the sun.

    • 7

      Wash your bit with fresh water and a hard bristle brush. Dry it with a small, clean towel.