We’ve recently had to purchase a new saddle due to our old one not fitting our new pony correctly. We haven’t received it yet but I am worried about keeping it safe and undamaged. Her barn does not have any available lockers right now so I’ve been keeping her current saddle in my car on a rack my husband made out of pvc pipes. Since we are at the barn almost every day it just makes sense to keep it in there. But the new saddle is significantly more expensive (Antares) and I don’t feel comfortable driving around with it all the time.
So are there any good, safe storage solutions for saddles? If it has to be in the car, are any car racks better than others and is there a way to make it a little less noticeable? Currently driving a Subaru but switching to a new Grand Cherokee soon.
Don’t keep it in the car, it gets too hot in summer and components will degrade. Can you bring your own locking tack trunk for the barn?
A plain Stanley trunk would do, if the barn will designate a safe place to keep it:
Agree with not keeping it in car. That said, during COVID when we couldn’t access tack rooms, a barnmate had a genius way to keep hers in her car: a large USPS mailbox. Inside held other things like grooming supplies and maybe her helmet, and the saddle fit perfectly on top. Won’t help this current situation, but just thought I would toss it out into the universe should anyone else be seeking a car storage/transport solution.
As someone who is currently transporting their saddle in their car between two different barns … what? I am not getting a mental picture of what this is. What USPS mailbox is large enough for a saddle? Does it lock? Thanks for any additional details!
Looking back at emails, it was an “extra large mailbox” purchased at Lowe’s for $36. I don’t feel comfortable posting pictures that aren’t mine, but it looks similar to this one linked below, and she stated that she kept her grooming kit, boots and helmet inside. Her pics show her saddle perched on top, with flaps nowhere near the floor of her car. It is pretty genius!
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Stanley-Gray-Extra-Large-Steel-Post-Mount-Mailbox-ST2000AM/323410187?
Like think of using the mailbox as a saddle rack - you set it on top of the mailbox itself.
Agree that keeping the saddle in the car is damaging - heat in a car is so much more than a tack room (even without AC), and hot/cold cycles will damage the leather and stitching, as well as warp the tree. Occasionally is fine, but not normal storage.
I would ask about storing the saddle somewhere on site, if at all possible. If not, try to keep the saddle inside as much as possible, except for the actual driving back and forth.
A company makes a plastic saddle car stand that is like $100 and totally worth it. Space underneath for helmet or boots. I would cover the whole thing with a moving blanket or something discreet if ever you take it somewhere and have to leave the car.
Could saddle be kept in the garage, so in the same space as the car?
If you’re driving to the barn daily, just one more thing to put in the car.
Since you mentioned “pony” can I assume a kid is the rider?
If so, should be kid’s responsibility to make sure tack is loaded for the trip.
This will work if the garage doesn’t get damp or ungodly hot or cold(all of which disqualify my garage 
).
My pricy saddle now lives in my house, as my home barn is under siege by mice. No barncat aside from the occasional passerby.
The mailbox idea is good, except if intended to store the saddle on or in it inside a car’s trunk.
No Bueno if the car gets too hot or cold.
What is your car situation? Full time outdoors or in a garage at home? Parked at work oudoors or in a parking deck?
I carried saddles, bridles, boots by choice in my Suburban for years, but it was garaged at home and in a covered parking deck at work. This was best for me because I had horses at two barns 45 miles apart. And neither had heat or AC in the tack rooms, so mildew was rampant, even in closed tack lockers, which one barn had.
Thanks, never thought about the heat! I’ll look into finding something locking to keep it in at the barn.
I actually have one of those big trunks, just need to see if I can procure a spot for it at the barn.
I like the idea of storing in our garage but unfortunately my husband smokes by the entrance and I don’t want the saddle absorbing any of that 
Unfortunately, my car lives in the driveway in the sun so not a good situation for a saddle.
Thanks everyone. I think the best bet is to find the right thing to just store it in at the barn.
If barn gives you the space, they make vertical tack trunks too that have a bit less of a footprint, that nicely lock. I’m sure other brands make them as well, but Stubben makes the heaviest duty saddle cover I’ve ever used - it’s a heavy nylon exterior and lined with fleece, and an adjustable elastic so it always fits around the saddle.
Air Tag it and leave at barn.
Any object unsecured in the car can become a missle inside the cabin in a crash.
Signed, More Stuff To Fret About Early In Your Week
I second the air tag. I also have one in my tack trunk.
Speaking of trunks, I keep my saddle in my car trunk for 2 years, BUT I WFM since C-19 and my car is in my garage M-F. It goes to the barn and a few occasional stores on weekends. My garage is significantly cooler than the barn is (in GA) so it’s no biggie. If this is the case for the OP then I wouldn’t be so worried. If, however, the car is parked outside and baking all day in the sun then agree the saddle should not stay in the car.
How do you attach an air tag that a would be thief couldn’t easily remove?
You put it under the panel - you can’t see it unless you’re looking for it.
