Setting Up The Tack Room

From the enthusiast to the serious horseman, everyone realizes the value of taking pride in their equipment, as they should. When it comes to maintaining equipment and accessories for a horse, the tack room is one place where organization leads to pride in ownership.

Having accessories like lead lines and halters at hand and easily accessible keeps a certain rhythm in the days’ activities. The tack room is where buckets, brushes and hoof picks can be put away for the next time, and where oils, liniments and conditioners can be shelved. And in some instances, a tack room is an ideal place for keeping grain and other feed supplements.

There’s nothing wrong with having an elaborate tack room and a staff of stable hands to maintain the equipment. But many enthusiasts prefer the hands-on experience, and some enjoy building things or converting an out-building to suit their purposes.

The first consideration for a tack room would be that the structure is watertight and has ample ventilation. Excessive moisture will ruin a lot of things, and a lack of air circulation can promote mold growth. Adequate ventilation can be accomplished with several screened openings near the top of the walls, and possibly a roof vent as well. The screen allows airflow inside the room and at the same time, prevents birds and varmints from getting into the feed.

The next thing would be an ample sized doorway. Bringing a saddle in and out of the tack room should be able to be done easily, and an opening with a few more inches in width and height will add convenience and eliminate some bumped elbows. A sturdy wood or metal door on heavy-duty hinges with a good thumb latch will seal the tack room just fine. In addition, it’s also a good idea to have a “hold-open” latch of some type for windy days.

A suitable system for the floor could be as basic as pressure treated timbers that are set on grade, with exterior plywood as the flooring surface. Of course a concrete slab makes an ideal floor, but any assembly that is sound will work. The main thing is safety, so the flooring surface should be uniform, which also makes it easier to keep clean.

Saddle trees are relatively uncomplicated and can be made from wood, metal or even thick plastic pipe. Wood or metal shelving for storing products, along with dowels or pegs about a foot apart to hang bridals, halters and lead lines makes an excellent accessory board. A hitching rail nearby is especially convenient, and these can be either wood rounds or galvanized pipe set in concrete.

The idea is to have things tidy, secure and at hand. An organized tack room with an added convenience here and there allows the horseman’s attention to be focused on the care of the animal, which leads to further enjoyment of the horse experience.

Six essential items of tack that every horse or pony owner needs

If you are a novice rider, acquiring tack can be quite an investment, but every owner should have at least six essential pieces of tack to call their own. You may find these items second hand at a reasonable price at large sales geared towards horse and rider equipment, or even at sweep meets.

The two most basic pieces of tack that you will need a as a horse owner are a halter and lead line. The halter is used to “catch” and secure your horse and fits over his or her face and can be adjusted with the side buckle to ensure a secure fit. The lead line clips to the metal ring on the side or underside of the halter.

A lead line is essential because while you can lead your horse simply by holding on to the halter, if he spooks or makes a sudden jerk, holding just the halter can result in serious injury to you, and thus the extra room granted by the lead line is a must. The halter will also allow you to secure your horse to cross ties in the barn for tacking and grooming, and in a pinch the lead line can be used in lieu of cross ties, although cross ties are the safest option when stationary.

Of course, the other four items essential to owning your horse are those that will allow you to ride him! The saddle is the most expensive piece of tack that you will purchase. You should borrow or try out saddles from other owners before you make this investment, as there are many, many styles and sizes and finding a saddle that fits both you and your horse well is of the utmost importance for a comfortable ride.

The saddle pad goes between the saddle and your horse’s back, providing a cushion and will soak up his sweat so that the saddle does not cause sores on his withers or backbone. Saddle pads come in a range of sizes and shapes, with the two most common being square/ rectangular or saddle shaped. They also come in a range of color options, although white cotton pads are the most absorbent and can be easily cleaned in the washer with bleach, keeping them sanitary.

The girth, which holds the saddle down on your horses back, is size specific. This is probably the only piece of tack you will not be able to use on every horse, but it is important to measure well and find a well-fitting girth.

The bridle and reins are another riding essential and investing in a good bridle and comfortable pair of reins is worth the cost. Depending on your horse’s needs, you may need a pair of double reins, but for most a single braided rein is the most comfortable. The bit, which will allow you to steer your mount, is also specific to your horse’s needs and your trainer can guide you to which is the most appropriate. Happy riding!

1. Halter
2. Lead Line
3. Saddle
4. Saddle Pad
5. Girth
6. Bridle & Reins