Minimalism and decluttering as it relates to tack and horse supplies

[Scribbler]

@sophie

I didn’t think I was a minimalist but considering what I see at my barn, and read on here, I guess I am.

My horse has one bridle, one bit, one saddle, one set of grooming tools.
I do have 3 halters, 3 lead ropes, many saddle pads (on rotation), and she used to be a Klutz so I have a collection of bell boots, ankle boots, galloping boots etc. and a couple older bridles I can get parts off if needed.
It all fits in a normal-size locker.

I did accumulate “stuff” over the 3 decades I’ve been involved with horses, but I 'm in the process of giving away anything I don’t use regularly that can benefit someone else. Luckily, I board my horse at a huge barn where people compete. Every time I bring something with the label " free" and leave it at the barn, it’s gone the next day.

I might try to sell some of the nicer / more expensive stuff such as a nice quality Tb size bridle, a Courbette saddle, a leather cavesson, a Mattes 1/2 pad I don’t use, a bareback pad etc.

I find it so liberating to get rid of stuff I very seldom or never use. Especially if someone else might like it and use it!
Same for clothes/shoes. If I haven’t used it more than once in a year, I get rid of it.

Hah. Here in the PNW weather is unpredictable year to year, and with climate change getting more so.

We have winters with hard frost for 3 months, and a foot of snow. And we have winters with solid rain where it barely touches freezing. Likewise we have drought summers where it’s 85 F every afternoon for 3 months, and other summers where it rains until July and cools off in September.

So for both horse gear and human gear, the one year rule doesn’t really work. One winter you need a turnout blanket for three months, the next winter you don’t blanket the horse at all. One summer you never end up putting on your shorts or your bathing suit or sandals, the next summer you live in them. One winter you live in a down parka, the next winter you only need a raincoat. Etc.

I throw things out when they no longer fit

[Hulk]

I kon mari on a regular basis. I have trained myself to go through the mail the second you get it. I go through my clothes on a regular basis. I ruthlessly audit everything except…my horse tack. I hardly part with anything tack related. So the question is how can you be so ruthless with some things and absolutely horderish with others?

The only thing I move along is riding attire the doesn’t fit or I simply don’t wear. And helmets that are old and need replaced. I still have my Shetland pony saddle for goodness sakes. And that was many moons ago indeed.

[PeteyPie]

It’s nice to read this. It makes me realize that I need to get rid of two categories which come to mind. I’m sure there are more, but I think first of the expensive salves, hoof products, wound ointments and even supplements I have which don’t work or are out of date or for some reason, I just don’t use. I need to dump them.

The other category is the collection of fly boots, bedsore boots, and vet boots which are damaged or very worn. I just bought new fly boots the other day but I kept all the old ones, just in case. Now, reading this, I’m thinking, why? I don’t want to use fly boots with holes in them. And those nice new ones which my horse tore the velcro straps off of? I have been telling myself for years that I will sew the velcro back on, but will I? Really? No. No I won’t. And even though I bought leather to reinforce that leather-soled vet boot with the hole worn in it, will I repair it? If past actions predict future behavior, then no, I won’t. And since my sweet Lacie died, I am left with (knock on wood) horses which have never had an abscess and seem to be blessed with good feet so I have not needed that vet boot anyway.

Good thread.

[Renn_aissance]

I recently made the decision that if it belonged to a horse who has been dead for more than 5 years, AND my horse can’t wear it, OR my horse hasn’t worn it in more than 5 years, it’s time to move it on to a horse who will wear it. I sold some and donated the rest. It makes me smile to see our good school horses wearing my late John’s good wool dress sheet to warm up in the winter.

Perennial exception is halters. I have two leather halters hanging in the trailer for spares, both with nameplates from horses who crossed the bridge some time ago, and a nylon one with a breakaway fuse. You can never have too many halters, someone will always be grateful for your extra in a pinch. I keep them all cleaned and in good order to sub one in as needed. Somehow I never seem to have surplus lead ropes (outside of the designated spares I bought to be spares, one in my trunk and one in the trailer.)

[betonbill]

@KBC

Having moved from a farm to a small house in town, having gone from cough many horses to one being boarded, I decided to sell off sone of my collection.

Among the sales was my lunging roller, cavesson and side reins, because I have not used any of them in years.

I swear not two weeks later my new trainer suggests that we try lunging my new guy to help build his top line…

Moral of this story…be careful when selling stuff…

Hahahahaha! That’s the golden rule of getting rid of stuff. As soon as it’s gone you’ll find out that you need the exact same thing. It’s happened to me several times.

[lala75]

@Betty Boop

[ATTACH=JSON]{“data-align”:“none”,“data-attachmentid”:“10417485”,“data-size”:“small”}[/ATTACH] I, too, have accumulated stuff over the years, but I found that if I am organized, I can find what I need when I need it. LOl
I bought this hook , that just came out and it is awesome!!! I hung a bunch of them from the ceiling and use one for just girths, one for just shipping halters, etc. I even have one for each customer.

what is the name of this hook? my tack room is an absolute mess and this looks like it could help. did you find it online or in a tack shop?

[RockingJ]

Like all things, I think minimalism and de-cluttering is best in moderation, especially for people who have hobbies that require gear. Getting rid of things you truly don’t need or can’t use anymore (broken, unsafe, can’t imagine a future use), but organization is key, and most importantly, not buying stuff you really don’t need, otherwise the clutter just keeps building up!

[Betty_Boop]

I got the hook on Amazon . It’s called Triple Clover 4 prong hook. One of the best things about it is that the hook are inward so it’s super safe .

[lala75]

@Betty Boop

I got the hook on Amazon . It’s called Triple Clover 4 prong hook. One of the best things about it is that the hook are inward so it’s super safe .

Thanks! Just ordered a few this morning, haha! Got some for the tack room and another for my hanging plants…

[mmeqcenter]

@lala75

what is the name of this hook? my tack room is an absolute mess and this looks like it could help. did you find it online or in a tack shop?

https://www.amazon.com/TRIPLE-CLOVER-Cleaning-Garage-ORGANIZING/dp/B07T27MLQW/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=Triple+Clover+4+prong+hook&qid=1561743287&s=gateway&sr=8-1