Before & After: Tack Room Edition

Staying organized during a move can be challenging. Staying organized with horses and all of their equipment… good luck! Although I’ve always considered myself a neat and tidy person, re-organizing horse tack and supplies to fit into a new barn can be a bit daunting. Then I added a bunch of stuff I had tucked away in storage and it looked like a tornado had blown through!

But after a full day of cleaning storage containers, going through all of the equipment, and making some hard decisions about what I actually needed to keep, it slowly started to come together.

My top two favorite containers I use to organize are: 1) the three-drawer storage units that you can purchase from Target or Walmart; and 2) the hard utility trunks you can purchase from Home Depot or Lowe’s. I also frequently use smaller removable-lid storage bins (like this one here) that can be easily stacked and tucked away in closets, trucks, or trailers.

I use the three-drawer storage units for smaller items such as brushes, boots, and first aid supplies. I have a large and a medium sized unit in my barn aisle that is very convenient for those everyday items, and a smaller unit in my tack room for miscellaneous products. The trunks work really well for larger items like saddle pads, blankets, and sheets. I also use them for equipment that is usually only used when I travel, such as extra tack, tools for stall set-ups, and other personal items.

Another trick I use for organization in my tack room are labels. I like to use bright-colored duct tape and a thick Sharpie marker to label what is in each drawer, trunk, or cabinet. This way, no matter who is in the barn, it is clear where you can find any item you may be looking for. Not only is this convenient and time-saving, it is also very important during emergencies or high-stress situations, during which you do not want to waste time looking for an essential item. I definitely have The United States Pony Club to thank for this labeling and organization obsession (hello rally kits and Championships, LOL).

Thank you for joining and supporting our community. We are so excited to have you along for the ride!

Until next time,

Jess

pc: Jessica Champagne