8 Storage Supplies for Building a Horse Tack Room

Stepping into a cluttered tack room after a long day of farm chores can quickly turn a relaxing evening ride into a frustrating search for misplaced gear. Organizing your horse tack isn’t just about aesthetics; it is about preserving expensive leather, keeping horses comfortable, and maximizing every square inch of your hobby farm. Selecting the right storage supplies ensures that every bridle, saddle, and blanket has a dedicated, protected home that stands up to the daily grit of barn life.

Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, this site earns from qualifying purchases. Thank you!

Planning Your Tack Room Layout for Efficiency

A well-organized tack room functions as the nerve center of a horse property, where every minute saved searching for gear is a minute gained in the saddle. Before mounting a single hook, analyze the traffic flow and daily routines of your barn. Heavy items like saddles should live at an easy lifting height, while frequently used items like bridles need to be immediately accessible near the doorway.

Vertical space is a hobby farmer’s best friend when floor space is limited. Utilize high walls for seasonal blanket storage and lower areas for heavy trunks or feed bins. Leaving a clear pathway down the center of the room prevents tripping hazards when carrying bulky western saddles or armfuls of winter rugs.

Consider the environmental zones within the room itself. Keep leather items away from direct sunlight or damp outer walls to prevent dry rot and mold. Grouping items by category—grooming, riding gear, and medical supplies—creates an intuitive system that even guest riders or farm sitters can easily navigate.

Saddle Rack – Tough 1 Portable Folding Stand

Saddles represent some of the most significant financial investments on a horse farm, making proper support essential to maintain their structural integrity. A quality saddle rack prevents the tree from warping and keeps expensive leather off the damp barn floor. Without proper support, a saddle can easily roll over, scratching the leather or damaging the horn and cantle.

The Tough 1 Portable Folding Stand excels in small barn environments due to its heavy-duty tubular steel construction and space-saving design. It features a convenient bottom mesh rack to hold saddle pads or cleaning supplies, keeping your daily gear consolidated. Because it folds flat, this stand can easily transition from the tack room to a horse trailer for weekend shows or trail rides.

• Material: Heavy-duty tubular steel
• Features: Folding frame, bottom wire mesh shelf, bridle hook on the front
• Best For: English or Western saddles up to standard weights

While highly versatile, this portable stand is best suited for stable, level floors and may wobble on uneven dirt surfaces. It is an excellent choice for hobbyists needing flexible storage, but those with exceptionally heavy, oversized ranch saddles might prefer a permanent, wall-mounted alternative.

Bridle Rack – Dura-Tech 10-Hook Bridle Bracket

Hanging bridles on simple nails or cheap hooks ruins the shape of the crownpiece over time, leading to cracked leather and pressure points on your horse’s head. Dedicated bridle racks feature curved caps that mimic the shape of a horse’s poll, preserving the leather’s natural curve. They also keep reins and cheekpieces hanging straight, preventing tangles and twists.

The Dura-Tech 10-Hook Bridle Bracket offers a heavy-duty, space-saving solution by organizing up to ten bridles on a single wall-mounted unit. Constructed from durable, powder-coated steel, this rack resists rust even in damp barn conditions. Each hook is topped with a generous half-round cap to protect expensive headstalls from creasing.

• Capacity: 10 bridles or halters
• Construction: Powder-coated heavy steel sheet
• Mounting: Pre-drilled holes for secure wall attachment

Before installing this unit, ensure you have a solid wood stud or backing board, as a fully loaded rack of heavy leather bridles and bits carries significant weight. This bracket is ideal for multi-horse hobby farms, though single-horse owners might find it larger than necessary for their daily needs.

Blanket Rack – Easy-Up 4-Arm Swing Blanket Rack

Horse blankets are bulky, heavy, and prone to trapping moisture and odors if left piled in a corner. A proper blanket rack allows air to circulate around wet rugs, speeding up drying times and preventing mildew growth. It also keeps expensive turnout sheets off the floor where they can be chewed by rodents or soiled by barn dust.

The Easy-Up 4-Arm Swing Blanket Rack is a brilliant space-saver that mounts directly to the wall or a stall front. Its four independent swinging arms allow you to fan out blankets to dry and then push them flat against the wall when not in use. The heavy-duty steel construction ensures the arms will not sag, even under the weight of heavy, wet winter turnouts.

• Arm Length: 28 inches per arm
• Material: Durable powder-coated steel
• Design: Individual swinging arms with hook-and-loop strap options

Make sure to mount this rack at a height where the longest blankets won’t drag on the ground. It is perfect for horse owners managing multiple seasonal blankets, but may require a helper during installation to hold the heavy main bracket level while securing the lag bolts.

Grooming Organizer – Kensington Hanging Tote

Grooming tools have a habit of scattering across the barn, leaving you searching for a curry comb or hoof pick right when your horse is tied and waiting. A hanging grooming organizer centralizes your daily grooming essentials at eye level. This keeps brushes clean, dry, and out of reach of curious horse teeth.

The Kensington Hanging Tote stands out for its rugged Textilene mesh construction, which resists tears, fading, and mildew. It features multiple pockets of varying sizes to accommodate everything from fly spray bottles to shedding blades, while the mesh bottom allows dirt and hair to fall through. The adjustable straps make it easy to hang over stall doors, cross-ties, or tack room walls.

• Material: Heavy-duty Textilene mesh
• Pockets: Multiple elastic-top pockets and spacious main compartments
• Attachment: Quick-clip adjustable straps

While highly portable, the mesh design means liquid spills from unsealed bottles can drip onto the floor below. This organizer is perfect for the active rider who wants to transition their grooming kit from the tack room to the trailer instantly, but may not be ideal for storing heavy metal tools.

Controlling Humidity and Moisture in the Tack Room

Excess moisture is the ultimate enemy of leather tack, causing mold, mildew, and structural degradation of expensive saddles and bridles. Conversely, air that is too dry can cause leather to crack and split. Maintaining a stable relative humidity between 40% and 50% is the sweet spot for preserving your equestrian investments.

Proper ventilation is the first line of defense against dampness in a barn tack room. Installing a simple ceiling fan or passive vents keeps air moving, which discourages mold spores from settling. For sealed tack rooms, running a small, energy-efficient dehumidifier during wet seasons can save thousands of dollars in leather restoration work.

Always avoid storing wet blankets or sweaty saddle pads in the same enclosed space as your leather tack. Hang damp items in a well-ventilated wash bay or aisleway until they are completely dry before bringing them back into the main storage area.

Tack Trunk – Horsemen’s Pride Sportote Trunk

A secure tack trunk is a staple of any organized barn, providing a dust-free, rodent-proof sanctuary for valuable equipment. It acts as a catch-all for seasonal items, medical kits, and spare wraps that do not hang easily on walls. Additionally, a sturdy trunk keeps expensive clippers and show gear locked away from dust and dampness.

The Horsemen’s Pride Sportote Trunk is built from rotationally molded plastic that resists cracking, denting, and weather damage. It features a removable tote tray for small items, a built-in wheels and handle system for easy transport, and a lockable latch for security. The heavy-duty lid can even double as a convenient mounting block or grooming step in a pinch.

• Dimensions: 35" L x 21" W x 22.5" H
• Material: Heavy-duty molded polyethylene
• Features: Removable tray, built-in wheels, lockable padlock eyelet

Because of its wide footprint, this trunk requires dedicated floor space in your layout. It is an indispensable tool for boarding stables or traveling riders, though those with extremely limited floor space might need to stack items carefully to avoid clutter.

Whip Holder – Shires Equestrian Whip Rack

Whips and crops are notoriously difficult to store; they lean in corners, fall behind trunks, and get stepped on and broken. A dedicated whip holder keeps these long, flexible tools stored vertically so they maintain their shape. It also ensures you can grab the correct crop instantly without rummaging through a pile of gear.

The Shires Equestrian Whip Rack is a simple, highly effective solution that holds up to eleven whips securely by their handles. Made from flexible, durable plastic, it grips various whip diameters without scratching or damaging the shafts. Its compact footprint means it can be mounted on the back of a door or in a narrow, otherwise unusable wall space.

• Capacity: Up to 11 whips or crops
• Material: Flexible molded plastic
• Mounting: Two pre-drilled screw holes

This rack relies on friction to hold the whips, so exceptionally thick-handled lunging whips might require a bit of force to push into the slots. It is a must-have for dressage riders or trainers with a large collection of whips, but less critical for casual trail riders who only own a single crop.

Storage Cabinet – Seville Classics UltraHD Cabinet

Every tack room needs a secure, dust-free space to house sensitive items like medications, supplements, leather cleaners, and clippers. Open shelving invites barn dust and cobwebs, which can contaminate open containers and ruin electrical equipment. A heavy-duty storage cabinet keeps these items organized, clean, and safely out of reach of children and pets.

The Seville Classics UltraHD Cabinet offers industrial-grade storage with stainless steel doors and a powder-coated steel frame. The adjustable shelves allow you to customize the interior to fit tall bottles of fly spray or bulky bandage bins. Magnetic door latches and a key lock system keep your expensive veterinary supplies and tools secure and dust-free.

• Dimensions: 36" W x 18" D x 72" H
• Material: Powder-coated steel frame with stainless steel doors
• Mobility: Heavy-duty wheels (two locking) or leveling feet

This cabinet is heavy and requires assembly, so plan to build it close to its final location. It is the ultimate storage solution for organized hobby farmers who want to keep chemical products and electrical tools clean, though it may be overkill for barns with minimal storage needs.

Helmet Rack – Burlingham Sports Helmet Holder

Riding helmets are precision safety equipment that must be treated with care to maintain their protective qualities. Dropping a helmet or letting it roll around on a shelf can cause micro-fractures in the protective foam, rendering it useless in a fall. A dedicated helmet rack keeps your headgear safe, dry, and properly ventilated between rides.

The Burlingham Sports Helmet Holder is designed to cradle your helmet securely, preventing it from falling or getting scratched. Its open-air design allows sweat to evaporate quickly, preventing the buildup of unpleasant odors and bacteria inside the liner. Made from durable, weather-resistant plastic, this holder mounts easily to any flat wall surface.

• Material: Heavy-duty, UV-resistant polyethylene
• Design: Curved dome shape with integrated storage hook below
• Compatibility: Fits all standard riding helmet sizes and styles

The integrated hook below the helmet dome is perfect for hanging hairnets, gloves, or keys, making it a complete rider-preparation station. This holder is an essential investment for safety-conscious riders, though barns with multiple riders will need to purchase several units to accommodate everyone.

Preventing Rodent Damage to Leather and Blankets

Mice and rats are attracted to tack rooms by the smell of leather, salt from horse sweat, and cozy nesting materials like saddle pads and blankets. Once inside, they can chew through expensive leather reins, ruin wool blanket linings, and leave unsanitary droppings everywhere. Preventing rodent access is a critical part of maintaining your tack room’s value.

Start by sealing any gaps larger than a quarter-inch with steel wool and expandable foam, paying close attention to corners and utility entry points. Store all grain and sweet feeds in airtight metal bins, as plastic bins can easily be chewed through by determined pests. Keep floor spaces clear of loose clutter where rodents can hide or build nests.

For blankets and pads, utilize sealed plastic storage bins or heavy-duty zippered bags when storing them for the off-season. Regularly sweeping the floor and wiping down leather to remove sweat residue will make your tack room far less appealing to unwanted barn pests.

Cleaning and Maintaining Your Storage Equipment

Barn dust, horse sweat, and mud will eventually coat even the best storage equipment. Regular maintenance of your racks, cabinets, and trunks prevents corrosion and ensures they continue to function smoothly for years. A quick monthly inspection can catch loose mounting screws or rust spots before they cause equipment failure.

Wipe down metal racks and cabinets with a damp cloth and a mild detergent to remove grease and grime. For powder-coated steel, check for chips in the finish and touch them up with rust-inhibiting paint to prevent moisture from creeping underneath. Plastic trunks and organizers can simply be hosed out and left to dry in the sun.

Lubricate moving parts, such as the hinges on swing-arm blanket racks or the wheels on your tack trunk, with a dry silicone spray. This keeps them operating smoothly without attracting the abrasive barn dust that wet oils can trap.

Building an efficient, well-organized tack room is one of the most rewarding projects you can undertake on your hobby farm. By investing in durable, purpose-built storage supplies, you protect your valuable gear from the harsh barn environment while streamlining your daily routine. With everything in its proper place, you can spend less time searching for equipment and more time enjoying the ride.