horse question

[EweSheep]

Quote:

If the harness manufacturing company says you can wash it in the dishwasher, why not put in the washing machine on gentle cycle with cold water/or warm.

Plastic harnesses have their life span probably around five years if heavily used. I do not trust them, they can crack and break. I'd prefer leather, better for the horse and you can tell a leather will break first (not ALWAYS but in MOST cases, you can). I prefer saddle soaps than detergents.

 

[Godsgrl]

Quote:

If the harness manufacturing company says you can wash it in the dishwasher, why not put in the washing machine on gentle cycle with cold water/or warm.

Plastic harnesses have their life span probably around five years if heavily used. I do not trust them, they can crack and break. I'd prefer leather, better for the horse and you can tell a leather will break first (not ALWAYS but in MOST cases, you can). I prefer saddle soaps than detergents.

That is really interesting, thanks for explaining.

 

[lorieMN]

Quote:
Why not? I would like to learn, thanks

because they are ugly!!! and unforgiving and lifless,,you get much better feel and the horse "feels" you a lot better with leather.which in turn means a lighter better horse.

 

[Godsgrl]

Quote:
Why not? I would like to learn, thanks

because they are ugly!!! and unforgiving and lifless,,you get much better feel and the horse "feels" you a lot better with leather.which in turn means a lighter better horse.

Yes'm, then. LOL I think you explained things quite well-thank you.

 

[seymore0626]

I've washed tons of bits in the dishwasher. They come out beautiflly. I do nylon halters in the washing machine as well, but wouldn't consider either for our bridles.

 

[RabbitMage]

Quote:

If the harness manufacturing company says you can wash it in the dishwasher, why not put in the washing machine on gentle cycle with cold water/or warm.

Plastic harnesses have their life span probably around five years if heavily used. I do not trust them, they can crack and break. I'd prefer leather, better for the horse and you can tell a leather will break first (not ALWAYS but in MOST cases, you can). I prefer saddle soaps than detergents.

But there's not just nylon and leather. A lot of people are using bio and especially betathane harnesses these days, and the latter seems to hold up really well.

 

[Ponytrainer]

We wash all our nylon halters in the washing machine with a bit of homemade detergent and about 1/4 of white vinegar. Takes out the "funky" sweaty horse smell - which I personally love, but hubby isn't a huge fan. I use nylon webbed halters and my Parelli rope halters and they both come out great. I would be a bit hesitant to put anything to expensive in a washing machine or dishwasher, even if manufacturer said it's ok. Not so much because the material would be damaged, but there is a significant amount of twisting that happens during the washing and would think it might affect the appearance and/or performance of the item. Just my 2 cents...