Long-term storage for your horse’s tack and supplies.
Our horse “stuff” that we accumulate over time sometimes does just that – accumulate. Some of us have small collections of stuff, and we know that your horse can typically only wear one saddle pad, bit, or saddle at a time. What are the best methods for long-term storage for your horse tack and supplies?
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Best practices for horse equipment and tack
- Store them in climate-controlled areas if possible. This is more important for leather. Moisture can cause mold and mildew; dryness can create cracks and leather failure.
- Keep your horse supplies and tack away from bugs, rodents, and dogs that need new chew toys.
- Contain your horse’s things by covering them. All sides. Like, really, zip that stuff up.
- Set a reminder to check on things periodically. Look for possible rodent and bug activity, and quickly sniff to check for mold and other funky smells.
How to store your horse equipment
- Consider framing or displaying your valuable showpieces. Prizes and memorabilia are easily box framed.
- For cotton goods and other fabrics, you can’t beat storage containers or those bags that shrink when you vacuum the air out of them. The first step is to ensure everything is hair-free and dirt-free, then thoroughly dried. You may want to practice your folding game for maximum space saving.
These trunks with rollers are amazing for short and long-term horse storage.
- Blankets and other sheets are put into vacuum bags to save space and keep bugs and rodents away. Wash and dry them before storage! Tips on washing blankets without a washing machine are her, or read more about using your own washer here.
- For leather, prevention of damage is key. Before I store any leather, I clean, condition, and oil it. I also do this every few months to prevent drying out, cracking, etc. Thank goodness smartphones can remind you when it’s time to check on things. Otherwise, “out of sight, out of mind” takes over.
- I like to store all leather totally wrapped up. Many folks have saddle covers that can zip up and totally enclose a saddle, these are great! Other saddle coves only cover the top, so a sheet or towel can be used to wrap the underside. Bridles, martingales, reins, and miscellaneous leather pieces are easily stored in bridle bags or smaller storage containers.
- Dust can be drying! For your leather goods, it’s ideal to keep them in a climate-controlled area, so that you are not too damp or too dry, not to mention the temperature extremes that can happen.
For tips on storing stuff in your trailer, read this doozy.
- Sometimes, your trailer is the only place available to store leather goods long term, so I would say that you can “unpack” and clean/condition your items more frequently. Depending on your climate, this may be weekly!
- For your grooming equipment like brushes, curry combs, and other tools, you can easily store them in sealed containers after thoroughly cleaning and drying. There are so many sizes of storage containers to choose from.
- Other grooming products like fly sprays, hoof dressings, etc. sometimes leak, ooze, or separate into layers. While it’s worth trying to store these things, it is best to store them in something you don’t mind getting oozy or sticky. You could even wrap them individually in freezer bags to protect your larger container. While some grooming products won’t have an expiration date, the label may specify ideal storage temps or what to do if layers start to separate.
How have you successfully stored horse items long term?
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This is SO SATISFYING to shrink up your seasonal horse blankets and gear.
Be sure to check the size. Don't want doll house size or marshmallow man size, either.
Vertical storage is the best! No more digging through trunks.
The extra hook is a great place to hang your hopes, dreams, and bridle.
Set them free upon thine enemy (JK, not really, but you can move them to a safer spot for everyone).
Plus you can keep dust and rodents out of your horse's blankets while saving space.
Thank you!
