It’s all about you

When it comes to getting your tack room set up, it’s not a one size fits all. There is no right or wrong way of doing it. The trick is to work with what you have got to get to what you need.
For most of us we are on livery and therefore giving a space to use, we are also usually limited on what changes we can mane and also the size of the space.
So finding a solution that works for you can be very different to what the person next to you needs.
Start by thinking what it is you need from your tack room – do you ride everyday? Do you lunge regularly? How many sets of tack do you have? Do you use them regularly? Are you storing trugs there too? Do yo need to fit your feed? Do you have other areas you can utilise too?

Horses have a lot of equipment, and if you have a small space you need to get creative with how to use it.

• Firstly identify the equipment you use year round on a regular basis. Things like tack, boots, bandages, hat etc.
• These items need to be together in an easy to reach place.
• Next identify the items you use year round but not as often, think about things like vet kit, wash kit, saddlecloths, travel kit, competition wear.
• These items need to be accessible, but not in immediate reach.
• Finally look at seasonal items, such as, winter rugs, summer rugs, fly rugs,turnout boots, mud fever boots etc
• These items can be somewhere out of the way for example top shelf of shelving, on top of cupboards, in the shed or garage. Anywhere that they are out of your way. So you are not having to move them all the time. Then twice a year you visit these items to swop them over as the seasons change. Just remember to leave a reminder of where they all are.
• Inventory sheets – fill these out and pop them in a really easy to reach place, make a note of where each item is. So when you need it you can check the sheets and then locate it, without having to rummage through everything.
• Label everything – make sure you can easily read the labels and that they make sense to you.

Also think about grouping items together for storage, for example, i keep all of my travel and competition kit in my trailer. So its there ready to use when i use the trailer.
Daily turnout boots, and overnight bandages, grooming kit, head collar are in a stable tidy (more on those later) outside my stable.
The kit i use daily for riding boots, bandages, hat, gloves are in a grab box in the tack room. I fill this box up each weekend with all the weeks smaller equipment and then each day i can just grab it and go – no rummaging or looking for kit. Its there ready to go.

Remember the system is all about you, what works for you, what makes your life easier, more organised and makes you feel empowered. That is the system you want to create. 
So start trying out different things and see what works for you. 

Cassie

When we talk to people about their tack rooms the most common problem is always  that it’s too small. People are always asking how can i create more space in my tack room?
I have put together a few simple steps to help you create more space and start getting your tack room to where you want it to be.

1. Declutter – It’s no secret horses need a lot of equipment, and this is not about being minimalist. Its about being honest with yourself. Is there items and equipment in your tack room that you don’t use, have never used will never use? Is there empty packaging and wrappers, old hoof oil, saddle soap and broken tack etc? These are the things you need to declutter. This will free up space in your tack room and your mind. It is a great feeling, so be honest and declutter all those things that are holding you back and taking up space.
2. Organise your equipment into categories – Regularly used (every day) used often ( once/twice a week) Seasonal ( Winter rugs, fly rugs. fly spray etc). Then store these items together. The ones used daily need to go in the most accessible places, think front of shelf at eye level. The second category goes in the next easy to access places, think slightly lower/higher shelves, at the back of shelves. Finally seasonal items need to be out of the way – thinks high up shelves, on top of cupboards etc. 
3. Invest in storage items for your equipment, and then label the storage. Put things like wash kit, fly spray etc together in boxes stood up. This makes it much easier to find everything and also keeps bottles upright prevent spills. Plus if you knock a bottle it wont fall over because its supported in the box, it also stops and spills and leaks from going over your other items as its in a box, and you can easily grab the box when needed, for bathing, show prep etc. Keep rugs together in labelled bags.
4. Use inventory sheets to keep a list of all of your equipment and where it is stored. That way you can easily check to see if you have an item or if you need to get one. Keep the sheets in an easy to reach place, or keep photos of them on your phone for a quick and easy reference, especially when you are in the tack shop.
5. Make sure everything has a place and put everything back in its place. This will ensure your tack room stays tidy and you dont end up with lots of space wasting clutter again. Also think about other areas you can store your equipment. For example i keep all of my travel kit in the storage bags in the trailer, this saves so much room in the tack room and the kit is on hand ready when i’m using the trailer. Also see if you can keep things like therapy boots, stable bandages, heat rugs etc outside your stable, so again your are freeing up space in your tack room, and keeping your kit in the location where you use it. Creating a system that saves you time space and money.

Implementing these tips will help you to take back control of your tack room and create more space, as well as a system that works for you and helps you to perform at your best, before you have even got on your horse.
‘A Tidy Tack Room = A Tidy Mind’
Cassie

Saddlecloths are the bain of many tack rooms. They take up a lot of space and can easily get unorganised and out of hand.
It can be a nightmare trying to find the one you want, especially if it’s buried at the bottom of the pile. Also it can get even more complicated if you have different shaped saddlecloths for different saddles/disciplines.

This problem was the reason why I started Tidy Tack Rooms. I needed a much better way to organise, store and protect my saddlecloths collection.
After investing so much money in my beautiful collection it made sense to look after it, and keep it in top top condition. The saddlecloth storage I created is beautiful, and so easy to use.

With each bag holding 10 saddlecloths you can easily store loads in a small area. The bags are stack-able and come labelled for easy organising and finding of your saddlecloths. With a huge choice of colours and styles, plus you can add personalisation or change the labels, to create a storage system that is as unique as you are. See the full range here.

Create a system in your tack room to save you time, space and money.

Having a system that is set up to compliment you and your lifestyle is a proven way to make you feel empowered, in control and help you achieve your goals faster.

Adding a system to your tack room can really help to elevate you and your riding to the next level. It can make you feel calm, centred and good about yourself, as you move effortlessly through knowing exactly where everything is, and knowing that it is all organised and protected.

It also helps you keep on top of everything, so you know what you need and when you need it. Giving you plenty of time to stock up and be prepared.
No more wasted time looking for kit No more replacing kit because you can’t find it
No more running out and having to change plans and rush to the shop to restock.

If you are ready to get organised and create a system come and be part of the Tidy tack Rooms crew, where we can offer you help, guidance, hints and tips.

Start by checking out the Tack Room Organisation Sheets, available HERE as a free download and when you are ready to get organising have a look at the starter kits HERE.