Equestrian Tack Room Ideas for Safe, Organized Storage
Building a well-designed tack room with all your horse care essentials requires careful planning. You'll need to consider the amount of equipment you have, your local climate, and security. A great tack room is well-lit, easily accessible, and has a clear organizational system.
According to Veterinary33.com, about 1.6 million households in the United States own horses, and over 38 million have a horse enthusiast. If you're in that category, a well-organized equestrian tack room is the heart of your operation.
Are you getting ready to bring a horse into your household? The most important thing you need to know about is an equestrian tack room.
Let's explore how you can set up a tack room to streamline your equestrian journey.
What Is a Tack Room?
The tack room is a dedicated space found in stables, barns, or equestrian facilities. This is where horse-riding equipment known as tack is stored and organized.
What Is Stored in a Tack Room?
Tack includes the following equestrian equipment:
Saddles
Bridles
Reins
Halters
Grooming supplies
Blankets
Other gear essential for caring for and riding horses
Not only is a horse tack room used for storing essentials, but it's also a place where horse people gather, a sort of hub of activity for riders and caretakers.
The essential thing here is to ensure that all the equipment is well taken care of, clean, and organized. It should also be safe and accessible.
Tack Room Ideas for Stable Organization
An equestrian tack room needs to be kept organized and clean. Otherwise, it could lead to injuries or other issues if people aren't able to find the items they need easily or if they are tripping over items thrown about haphazardly.
Here are a few ways you can organize a tack room so that it's easier to navigate:
Categorize Your Gear: Use dedicated saddle racks and bridle hooks to keep important items off the floor and help them maintain their shape
Utilize Vertical Space: Install shelving for smaller items and use clear, stackable bins for supplies like brushes, wraps, and hoof care products to maximize space
Manage Blankets: Prevent tangling and dust buildup by using labeled blanket racks or dedicated storage bags for sheets and blankets
Control the Climate: Keep the room dry and well-ventilated with a dehumidifier or moisture absorbers to protect expensive leather from mold and cracking
Create a Routine: Encourage all riders to return items to their designated spots to create a safer, more pleasant environment for everyone
Features of Good Tack Rooms
With a plan for organization, you can focus on the core features of a well-designed space. These elements will make your tack room even more functional and suitable for your horses.
Let's take a look at these elements now.
Size
Think about the size of your tack room. How many horses and riders are going to use the facility? Based on these numbers, you will have a good idea of how big to make the tack room.
If you think that the facility will be used by even more people in the future, make sure to account for that growth as well. Give enough space to the riders to change and prepare for riding.
Ideal Location
For easy access to equipment, you will want to have the tack room located close to the stable or arena. Also, if you have a design aesthetic you have chosen for your barn, then you will want to choose the same for your tack room as well. This will keep things consistent throughout.
Lighting
Good lighting is non-negotiable. A tack room should have a combination of bright, overhead artificial light, such as energy-efficient LEDs, and natural light from windows where possible. Riders need to be able to spot subtle signs of wear and tear on leather and stitching, which is difficult in a dim room. Proper illumination is also crucial for general safety and accessibility, preventing trips and falls.
Security Measures
Protect your valuable equipment by adding security cameras. Motion-sensor alarms or lights can alert staff to unusual activity after hours, and lockable or barred windows add another layer of security.
The flooring in your barn and tack room also needs to be equine-safe. Our Equi-paver rubber paver flooring, for example, provides a non-slip surface that is crucial for preventing injuries to both horses and handlers. Its superior shock absorption also reduces stress on a horse's leg joints and insulates against the cold and damp from a concrete subfloor. While securing the room is important, don't overlook fire safety. Proper fire exits are crucial so your tack room doesn't become a trap in an emergency.
FAQs
What is a tack room used for?
A tack room is a dedicated storage space for saddles, bridles, and grooming supplies. It's also for other horse-related equipment.
Why is it called a tack room?
The term "tack" refers to horse riding equipment. The room where it's stored naturally became known as the tack room.
How do you keep a tack room organized?
Using saddle racks, bridle hooks, labeled bins, and shelves helps keep gear tidy. It also keeps them easy to find.
Should a tack room be climate-controlled?
Yes, temperature and humidity control can protect leather tack from mold. It can also prevent cracking and premature wear.
Can you lock a tack room?
Yes, many tack rooms include locks or security systems. This protects valuable riding equipment from theft.
Tack Room Design - Let Us Help You Create Your Ideal
Creating the perfect tack room design comes down to understanding your specific needs. At Innovative Equine Systems, we pride ourselves on helping you keep your horses and riders happy, safe, and comfortable. We are here to help you select the ideal equine-safe flooring for your tack room, from heated, easy-to-clean floors that improve air circulation to shock-absorbent pavers that protect your horse's health.
That's why we are here to help you with equine safe flooring for your tack room. Our design has cleanable floors with a heater for air circulation and the elimination of mold. Contact us to learn more about installation.
