Building Tack Room - Must haves, ideas, what not to do?

[Riskant]

We’re finally building an owner’s tack room separate from the boarders tack room. Before I get too far down the build process, I wanted to see what people’s thoughts were around the must haves, products/features, what to stay away from, etc. I’m stuck in the analysis paralysis phase

Specifics:

• 8' x 14', insulated with general electrical
• located in the pacific northwest so moisture is a concern but temperature extremes are rare
• existing separate feed area, medical/first aid area, and blanket room
• located across from the wash rack that already has a tack cleaning area
• mixed discipline family so needs to accommodate english and western tack

Besides the general saddle racks and bridle racks, my thoughts were:

• dehumidifier/heater to keep things dry
• shelves for brush and supply storage
• saddle pad rack
• peg board to hang helmets, bits, and miscellaneous items
• wire drawers to store polos, wraps, boots
• bench/stool to change shoes, etc.

I'm fortunate that I have lots of other storage options so I can keep the tack room just focused on tack. However I'm getting stuck in the planning stage because there are so many options. I'm even questioning how far apart the bridle racks and saddle racks need to be apart to maximize space but give clearance. Additionally, we'll be redoing the boarders' tack room after we get all our crap out so I want to make the most of both spaces.

What are your suggestions? Thank you so much for your help!

[SuzieQNutter]

Hubby built a tack shed

Just inside the door whips are kept upside down and within reach from outside. Next to that is shelves which has grooming gear, horse boots, my helmet and gloves.

On the right of the door wall are hangers for bridles and lunging cavessons. On this half of the back wall are saddle racks with hooks in the middle for halters and lead ropes.

Above is a shelf for storing rugs.

Past the grooming shelves is a table. Next to the saddle racks is shelving which at the moment has old cine cameras and stuff that belong to his father.

[Hej]

Always remember that there is no such thing as a tack room that is too big.

[Jenerationx]

@Hej

Always remember that there is no such thing as a tack room that is too big.

Amen

[Fellbutbackup]

Hot water access and a freezer are useful to access. Cabinets and counter space also. “Tack room” can vary from a shack to a mini spa space.

[js]

Small frig for cold drinks and to store med’s that might need to be refrigerated. Deep sink if one isn’t already available. I put a wall of upper and lower cabinets in my tack room but a bank of lower cabinets and peg board above them for hanging things might be nice. I had saddle racks like the ones below set back in a 4’ deep by 12’ closet that had a double opening, I could close the doors and keep everything looking nice.

https://www.sstack.com/easy-up-portable-multi-saddle-racks/p/21491C/

[clanter]

a well stocked bar for those days when the ride just was not the best

[happilyretired]

A white board to keep track of vaccination dates, vet/farrier appointments, etc etc.

[Bluey]

@js

Small frig for cold drinks and to store med’s that might need to be refrigerated. Deep sink if one isn’t already available. I put a wall of upper and lower cabinets in my tack room but a bank of lower cabinets and peg board above them for hanging things might be nice. I had saddle racks like the ones below set back in a 4’ deep by 12’ closet that had a double opening, I could close the doors and keep everything looking nice.

https://www.sstack.com/easy-up-portable-multi-saddle-racks/p/21491C/

That is what we have for saddle racks, but inside tack lockers.
The advantage of those, you can remodel easily, move them around, turn them sideways, take them out, whatever fits your needs in the moment.

We have a regular sink and Home Depot scratch and dent very nice cabinets, bought at 1/2 price and only had one scratch in a place it doesn’t show.
Go see what your department stores may have in their distressed departments.
We also have by the washroom door a deep commercial steel sink our plumber found somewhere.
Vet loves that to wash his stuff when it is freezing outside.

[clanter]

@happilyretired

A white board to keep track of vaccination dates, vet/farrier appointments, etc etc.

we use the calendar the insurance company sends, hanging it where we can refer to it then keep it for review if needed

we do have a small white board with emergency contact info… vet office/cell and our cell phone numbers

[pony_baloney]

@js

Small frig for cold drinks and to store med’s that might need to be refrigerated. Deep sink if one isn’t already available. I put a wall of upper and lower cabinets in my tack room but a bank of lower cabinets and peg board above them for hanging things might be nice. I had saddle racks like the ones below set back in a 4’ deep by 12’ closet that had a double opening, I could close the doors and keep everything looking nice.

https://www.sstack.com/easy-up-portable-multi-saddle-racks/p/21491C/

My current barn’s crowded tack room has something like that, but the best thing is that the individual racks slide out. It’s difficult getting your saddle all the way onto it when there’s a saddle above and below you; I can just pull out my rack, pop my saddle on it and slide it back towards the base. When I first discovered that, I thought it was broken! Very very handy.

[TB2trk]

@clanter

a well stocked bar for those days when the ride just was not the best

😀 Love that idea!

[costco_muffins]

We used IKEA wardrobes along one wall of our tack room and I LOVE it. Wire baskets hold saddle covers, wraps, vests, etc. shelves are the perfect size for saddle pads. We have one of their cubby cube bookshelves beside the wardrobes and those hold helmets and boots and make a nice shelf for hot water pot, books, horse treats.

You can kind of see the wardrobes in the gallery:

http://www.thesharkeyfarm.com/boarding.html#PhotoSwipe1589251540855

[SonnysMom]

My husband built a few wooden tack boxes for my trainer that have a vinyl covered padded seat on the lid. He eventually made one for me. Everyone at the barn uses my tack truck to sit on to change boots. I don’t mind. The one boarder’s 4 year old has taken plenty of naps on it too.
For my mudroom at home he built a bench that has a padded top and under that is 3 cubbies that I have big baskets for boot storage. I don’t keep my tall riding boots there but I have hiking boots, rubber boots, mid calf Muck boots. Above the bench I have hooks for coats, baseball caps, coveralls etc… On the wall at 90 degrees to the back I have a small shelf for little things and below that is a rack for keys.

Both the bench with cubbies and the tack truck with a padded top have the advantage of being comfortable but still providing storage.

My trainer has an old amoire. Top half has double doors with shelves behind the doors- she had medicines and first aid supplies there. The bottom has double doors with drawers behind that. She keeps the lunge lines, side reins, Vienna reins in one drawer, sport boots and spare bell boots in another, barn towels in another. A wide kitchen pantry with the pull out drawers probably would work well instead.