The mohair cinch - what I refer to as the unsung hero of horse tack. Now, I might be a bit biased here, but in my humble opinion, there's nothing quite like it. If you've had the pleasure of using true mohair in the past, you know exactly what I'm talking about. If you haven’t, and you want to know more, click here to join our mailing list where we will be sharing more details you won't want to miss.
Mohair tack doesn’t necessarily HAVE to be washed. Sometimes, the best thing is to simply brush it clean. Grab a soft bristle brush and give the dry cinch a once-over to remove any dirt or debris. That's usually all I do with my personal cinches — and between you and me — I don't even do it every time. Shh, our little secret.
However, I do a quick routine check every time I saddle up. It's as easy as running my hand over the inside of the cinch to ensure there are no sharp bits and all the fibers are feeling good against my horse's skin.
Now, there are times when a wash might be warranted, especially if there's a hefty buildup of dirt and sweat, particularly around the buckles. The best thing to remember is the mantra: never hot, never high. But here’s an in depth look into my go-to mohair washing process:
- Grab a clean bucket and fill it halfway with COLD water.
- Add a mild detergent - personally, I opt for 1 teaspoon of Norwex, DownEast Laundry Soap. I steer clear of regular commercial laundry soap as it can be harsh on natural fibers. If you don't have a gentle detergent, no worries skip this step, detergent is not always necessary.
- Place your cinch or breast collar in the bucket and swish it around. Avoid rubbing the fibers together.
- Rinse thoroughly (until water runs clear) with COLD water from a LOW pressure hose or tap.
- Hang to dry out of direct sunlight.
I usually tackle this process in my basement laundry tub. It just makes everything easier, and then I can speed up the drying process by hanging it in front of my wood stove.
Remember, mohair is hair, and it behaves like hair - if we let it. Excessive washing isn't recommended and may damage the fibers over time.
I have been using the same mohair cinch for 4 years and it’s only been washed once, I normally just brush it clean after rides especially in the spring and fall when it’s muddy.
A little TLC goes a long way in keeping your mohair tack in top-notch condition for your horse.
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