365 Days in Horse Country – Organizing Your Tack
Some people are naturally organized, but if you are like most of
the equestrians, your tack area could use a bit of straightening up. Getting your tack organized will cut down on
the time you spend looking for hoof picks and lead ropes, and it will also help
you discover what you no longer need to keep around.
Whether you keep your tack in a trunk or a tack room, start by taking a good look at all the equipment you have and decide how much of it you want to keep. Whatever is in excess, can go to a local tack consignment store, be donated to an equine rescue, or be put up for sale on the internet.
How do you know what to get rid of? If you have seven different bits when you only use two or three, the rest can probably be removed from your tack supply. The same goes for stuff you used on horses you no longer have, such as saddles that won’t fit your current horse.
Items such as bridles, halters, bell boots, and blankets can be kept around for use on current and future horses, even if they are extra. You never know when you might need an extra halter, for example. If one breaks, it’s good to have a spare.
Once you have narrowed down you equipment to what you want to keep, think about how to arrange it. If you have a tack box, use smaller compartments to keep items such as hoof picks and scissors, and delegate larger compartments for brushes and curry combs. For the room where you store your riding equipment, invest in bridle hooks to hang bridles and halters. Get one hook to each bridle or halter you own so you don’t have to double up. If you don’t have saddle racks attached to the wall, buy freestanding saddle stands rather than just setting your saddles on the floor.
Once you have finished organizing your tack, you’ll feel a sense of accomplishment and control, a feeling that hopefully will extend into the time you spend with your horse.
Michael