How to Polish Silver on a Show Tack

When you enter an equestrian show ring, you obviously want your horse to perform well: But you also want your horse to look good -- right down to clean, gleaming tack. Getting your tack really clean can take some care, knowledge and time, especially if parts of the tack are made of, or trimmed in silver. By using the right products for the type of silver tack you have, and applying a little elbow grease, you can make your tack shine.

Things You'll Need

  • Towel
  • Silver polish or non-abrasive cleanser
  • 2 soft polishing cloths
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Instructions

    • 1

      Disassemble your tack. Set aside the leather portion to be cleaned later.

    • 2

      Examine your tack to be sure what kind of silver you have. Sterling silver or silver overlay, should be marked as such, usually on the back of the piece. Silver plate should also be marked. Often, silver tack isn't really silver at all, but rather a silver-colored alloy.

    • 3

      Choose an appropriate cleaner. For sterling silver or silver overlay, you can use silver polish in liquid, spray or paste form. If you always keep your tack fairly clean, you probably will not need to use an abrasive polish. Many in the horse industry recommend products like Hagerty Silversmiths' Spray. Silver plate must not be cleaned with an abrasive silver polish. It is coated with a lacquer that protects it from tarnish, so it should come clean with just warm, soapy water.

    • 4

      Prepare for the tack polishing process by sitting in a comfortable spot, as the task can take a bit of time. Cover your lap with a towel, to avoid getting cleaner on your clothes.

    • 5

      Apply the silver polish to a clean, soft cloth. Do not apply it directly to the tack, as it could get onto other surfaces. Use the cloth to rub the polish onto the tack, carefully working the polish into any grooves.

    • 6

      Wipe the polish off of the tack, using a clean cloth. Again, pay careful attention to the nooks and grooves. Tarnish should come off easily, if the tack is not too dirty. For heavily tarnished areas, you may need to use a little more pressure.