Security

For the purposes of security as well as convenience it is advisable to site the tack room as close as possible to the stables and main complex of buildings and, if practical, near the house too. Tack thefts have become all too commonplace today so it is prudent to have all the tack marked with your post code. Do not use your name on tack because it cannot be identified this way. By marking tack there is more chance of it returning to the rightful owner if it is ever recovered. Apart from fitting an alarm system, which is not financially within every stable owner's reach, a good guard dog is the next best defence against intruders. Iron bars or grilles should be fitted and the tack-room door kept locked at all times when there is no one in the yard. This includes the times when horses are out being exercised because thefts take place as much in the daytime as at night. The local police will be happy to visit and advise you on the best form of security for your yard. If you are away at competitions and the yard unattended it would be wise to notify your local police. Wheelbarrows and trucks are often used by burglars to transport tack from the tack room to their vehicle so it makes sense to keep these locked away when not in use.

It is helpful to maintain an inventory of all saddlery and equipment, perhaps in the stable diary with a duplicate kept in a safe place at home.

Fixtures and Fittings

One of the most essential items in the tack room is the saddle horse. Saddles can then be conveniently and safely cleaned, without fear of damage, before storing them on a saddle rack. Saddle racks are best fitted to the wall above head height to save space. An adjustable hook suspended from the ceiling is necessary for hanging tack to be cleaned and this will need to be sited in a convenient place for working. Bridle-hooks for hanging bridles, headcollars, martingales etc. should be fitted to walls at a height which will allow reins and other long pieces of leather to hang without touching the floor. Cupboards and shelves are essential for storing sundry items such as boots, bandages, rugs and rollers. A veterinary cupboard will also be needed to keep medicines in a clean, dry and hygienic state.

The floor is easier to keep clean if it is laid with linoleum or tiled. Lighting will need to be good; it is hopeless trying to work with poor lighting. The room temperature and atmosphere can have a detrimental affect on any leatherwork stored therein: dry air will make the leather go hard; dampness will cause mould to form. Some form of heating will therefore be necessary; either a radiator, stove, bar heater or other suitable appliance which would be safe if left unattended. It is useful to have some form of electric drier for rugs and bandages, boots and numnahs and so on, also a clothes horse or rack for airing damp items. The most convenient as a space saver is the type which is suspended from the ceiling by a pulley and can be raised and lowered as required. A large sink, preferably with hot and cold running water, will add to convenience when tack cleaning etc. Power points are also useful for boiling kettles or re-charging battery clippers. Large chests or trunks are best for storing rugs, which can take up a large amount of room. Remember, rugs should not be stored without moth balls because they can be badly damaged in no time at all; the same applies to bandages and numnahs.

Somewhere in the yard, preferably in the tack room, a telephone should be available, not least of all for emergencies. A fire extinguisher must be kept in a well-sited place for easy access. Cleanliness and tidiness must be a priority in the tack room as much as anywhere else. All tack and equipment is expensive and should be kept in best condition for economic as well as safety reasons.