Saddle locker

What is a tack locker?

A tack locker is a storage facility for riders in which all the riding equipment for horse and rider is stored in a clearly organised manner. In most cases, the tack cupboard is placed in the tack room and offers sufficient storage space for accessories - from treats to saddles.

Saddle lockers are available in different materials and sizes, which is why both riders with one horse and less equipment and riders with several horses and a lot of equipment benefit from the locker. The various advantages of the saddle locker make it an ideal helper in everyday stable life.

What saddle lockers are available?

Saddle lockers are available in various sizes, with different interior fittings, lockable or with a simple door, for a Western saddle or for English saddles. Some saddle lockers can also be ordered with a lockable valuables compartment or extras such as an integrated mirror.

Depending on their size, most saddle lockers are equipped with at least 1 to 2 saddle holders and 2 to 8 bridle holders. These bridle holders are either attached to the door or inside the locker. Saddle lockers are also available with drawers or shelves.

What material is a saddle locker made of?

A saddle locker is made of wood, metal or plastic. A wooden saddle locker is durable and lighter in weight than metal saddle lockers. Metal tack lockers are characterised by their high load-bearing capacity and robustness. Plastic tack lockers are cheaper and easy to clean.

The following table illustrates the advantages of the materials of a saddle locker in more detail. 

• Wooden saddle locker: Wooden saddle cabinets are known for their robustness and durability. They offer a traditional look with a natural aesthetic, often available in a variety of colours and finishes. The stability of the wood makes it a reliable choice for the safe storage of equipment.
• Metal saddle locker: Metal saddle lockers are characterised by their exceptional stability and durability. They provide excellent security for storing valuable equipment and are easy to clean due to their smooth surface. Although they may be heavier than wooden cabinet alternatives, they offer a reliable solution for long-term use.
• Plastic saddle locker: Plastic saddle lockers are a popular option due to their light weight and ease of cleaning. They are available in a variety of colours and designs and are often less expensive than wooden or metal cabinets. They are also less susceptible to moisture damage, making them particularly suitable for environments with high humidity or near water sources.
• Saddle locker made from several materials: Some saddle cabinets use a combination of different materials, such as wood for the frame and metal for the door. These combinations can combine the advantages of different materials to create an optimised product.

Many riders use a ready-made wooden locker or a military locker as a saddle locker and convert it according to their ideas and wishes. The material of the saddle locker should be selected according to your own stable conditions, budget and preferences.

How big are saddle lockers?

The saddle lockers are between 1 and 2 metres in height, 60 and 90 centimetres in width and 60 and 80 centimetres in depth. If you need more space for your equipment, you can buy a saddle locker extension. Depending on the size, you can choose a saddle locker for 1 saddle, for 2 saddles or for 3 saddles.

If you only want to store one saddle and one bridle in the saddle cabinet, a small saddle cabinet is sufficient. If the aim is to store several saddles, bridles, halters and other saddle cabinet accessories such as blankets or your own clothing in the saddle cabinet, a large version should be purchased. The size of the saddle (Western or English) is also decisive for the size of the saddle locker to be selected.

What do you keep in the tack locker?

The most important contents that are stored in a tack locker are listed below. 

• Saddles: Various saddles (e.g. dressage, jumping, eventing saddles) are stored on saddle racks in the cupboard.
• Snaffles and halters: Snaffles and halters are hung on hooks or bars in the tack room.
• Cleaning kit: Brushes, currycombs, hoof scrapers and sponges are stored in boxes or shelves in the tack room. 
• Care products: Care products such as hoof oil, leather care, shampoos and disinfectants are stored on shelves or in drawers inside the wardrobe. 
• Blankets and saddle pads: Horse rugs and saddle pads are stored or hung up in compartments or on poles. 
• Bandages and gaiters: Bandages, gaiters and fetlock boots are stored in baskets or drawers.
• Horse feed and treats: Concentrated feed, supplementary feed and treats are stored in airtight containers.
• Medication and first aid: Medication, a first aid kit and bandages are stored in compartments or boxes. 
• Accessories: Lunging girths, martingales, reins, stirrups and stirrup bars also have their place in the saddle locker. 
• Riding clothing: Riding boots, helmets, riding hats, gloves and other riding clothing are hung on hooks in the wardrobe.
• Tools: Tools such as pliers, scissors and hoof rasps are stored in small compartments.
• Documents: Horse documents, vaccination passports and training plans are stored in compartments or drawers.
• Personal items: There is also space in the saddle locker for personal items such as drinks, snacks and towels.

What are the advantages of a saddle locker?

The advantages of a tack locker are that all saddles, bridles, halters, ropes and other equipment can be stored in it and do not have to lie on the floor in the stable or tack room. The equipment stored in the tack locker is ideally protected from all weathers and dirt.

Saddles and bridles are not the only things that can be stored in a tack room. You can also store other riding equipment such as grooming kit, blankets, auxiliary reins, gaiters, feed, riding clothing and other accessories in a saddle cabinet. Thanks to the various compartments, holders and drawers, all accessories are clearly organised and easily accessible. Saddle lockers also offer maximum security, as they protect your valuables and equipment from break-ins thanks to a lock. 

Another advantage is that many tack lockers can be customised to suit your own needs. Depending on how many accessories and equipment you have, you can decide for yourself how your cabinet is equipped and how much space it should have.

How do you care for a tack locker?

A tack room should be maintained by regularly wiping it out with a cloth or using a broom to remove dust and cobwebs. In general, make sure there is sufficient air circulation to prevent mould growth. This is particularly important if damp riding equipment is stored in the locker.

Make sure that feed bags and treat bags are always resealed when storing feed or treats in the tack room. Otherwise it will mould or attract animals such as rats and mice. If you opt for a wooden tack cupboard, the wood should also be impregnated to prevent moisture and dampness from penetrating the wood. Damp wood causes the material to swell.

What is the difference between a tack locker and a show locker?

The difference between a tack locker and a tournament locker is that the tournament locker has castors and the tack locker does not. As the name suggests, the tournament locker was developed to be taken to a tournament and is therefore relatively more spacious than a stationary saddle locker.

Show lockers are compact and mobile, with wheels and handles for easy transport. Show lockers offer space for saddles, bridles, blankets, boots, helmets and other important items needed during the show. A saddle locker is primarily designed for the long-term storage of riding equipment in the stable. It offers space for saddles, bridles, blankets, grooming kit and other accessories required for the care and maintenance of the horse.

Opt for a mobile tack locker with castors if you plan to take it with you to tournaments frequently. A stationary tack locker is the better choice if you don't need the locker when travelling and it will only be used in the tack room. Depending on where you will need the locker more frequently, you may decide in favour of a saddle locker or a show locker.

The saddle lockers from our range

Are you still looking for a saddle locker? Take a look at the saddle lockers from our Alfako range!

Our stationary saddle lockers are available in four different sizes and thus offer optimum space for all your equipment and accessories. The sizes of our lockers are listed below.

1. Small: 100 cm height x 75 cm width x 75 cm depth
2. Medium: 150 cm height x 60 cm width x 60 cm depth
3. Large: 150 cm height x 80 cm width x 80 cm depth
4. Very large: 180 cm high x 60 cm wide x 60 cm deep

All sizes of our stationary saddle lockers are made of galvanised steel. The lockers have two integrated saddle holders and a shelf is located in the upper section of the locker. 5 (small) or 10 bridle holders (medium, large, very large) are attached inside the saddle lockers. 

Our saddle lockers are fitted with a single-point lock to optimally protect your locker against break-ins. You can choose between three door colours (silver, green and blue) for the smallest saddle locker variant. However, the housing of each cabinet is in silver.

For the medium-sized, large and very large saddle lockers, you have the option of ordering an attachment for the locker, an additional saddle holder or a saddle trolley for better mobility in the stable.

If you have any questions about specific products or our company, please contact us using the form on our website. We will be happy to help you find the ideal saddle locker for you!