Saddle cabinet tidiness: instructions and tips | Alfako

It is important to create order in the saddle cupboard so that you have riding equipment or other accessories within reach at all times and can keep an overview of your equipment. To do this, however, you first have to create a basic order in the tack room, which only works if the tack room is cleared out, cleaned and sorted out.

We explain in 5 steps how you can proceed to bring order into your saddle cupboard and provide you with helpful tips for keeping your saddle cupboard tidy.

How can you bring order to the saddle cupboard?

In the following instructions, we explain how to bring order to your saddle cupboard in 5 steps.

1. completely clear out the saddle cupboard

First of all, you should completely clear out your saddle cupboard so that you can get an overview of all accessories and equipment. At this point you can directly dispose of any rubbish and empty packaging.

2. check contents for shelf life and integrity

In the next step, take a look at the entire contents of your tack locker and check them for expiry date and intactness. Especially with spray bottles, care products, medicines or treats, you should adhere to the prescribed expiry date. Also check your grooming kit, riding clothes, halters, ropes and other accessories carefully.

If something has expired or broken, you should dispose of it immediately. This is also an optimal way to sort out horse accessories that you no longer need or use.

3. clean the saddle cupboard

If you have completely emptied the saddle cupboard anyway, you should also clean it thoroughly. First sweep it out and then clean it with cleaning agent and a sponge. A clean saddle cupboard ensures that your riding equipment and accessories also remain dirt-free and durable. 

4. add practical storage options

To ensure that you will have a certain amount of order in the saddle cupboard in the long term, it makes sense to integrate practical storage options into the saddle cupboard. For example, saddle, blanket and bridle holders can provide optimal storage for riding equipment. Hooks and other holders can be used to hang jackets, ropes, halters or other accessories. 

If you want to store equipment in your tack room that you do not use every day, you can store it in boxes to keep it dust-free. Small baskets are also suitable for storing, for example, riding gloves, gaiters, bandages or ear covers.

5. put the contents away again

After you have sorted out your equipment and gear and cleaned the tack closet, it is time to put the contents back away. Think about a tack closet order that is practical for your everyday stable life and that helps you to quickly find the products you need. 

If you now put these items back there after use, you can ensure sustainable order in the saddle locker.

What are helpful tips for keeping the saddle cupboard tidy?

Keeping your saddle cupboard tidy is basically not difficult. We have listed some helpful tips for keeping your tack room tidy below.

• Closed boxes: Store accessories that you do not use often in closed boxes and at the top of the cupboard so that you can keep them free of dust and dirt. 
• Label boxes: If you store equipment, riding clothes or accessories in boxes, it is helpful to label them so that you do not have to look in each box individually should you need something. 
• Every object has a fixed place: For a well thought-out saddle cupboard order, it is important that each item finds its own place. This way you know exactly where something is in the cupboard and can put it back in that exact place.
• Maintain accessories and keep them clean: To ensure that your equipment is durable, you need to take good care of it and keep it clean. Clean your grooming kit as well as riding equipment such as saddle and snaffle regularly and wash the horse blankets and saddle pads when necessary. 
• Attach baskets to the inside of the door: For even more storage space, use baskets that you screw to the inside of the cupboard door. Spray bottles, hoof oils, medicines or ointments can be stored here. 
• Clear the saddle cupboard of things that do not belong in it: Think carefully about which things you want to keep in the tack locker and which may not belong inside. Items such as individual riding gloves, rubbish, countless ropes, broken equipment, dirty rags or sponges and empty spray bottles do not belong in the tack locker. 
• Hang everything that can hang: Jackets, waistcoats, ropes, halters, bridles, blankets, saddle pads and saddles are all items that you can hang on hooks or on holders designed for this purpose. This automatically makes for more order and everything is not lying or standing on the floor. 
• Don't let your wardrobe get too full: We recommend sorting the tack cupboard every 2 - 3 months and, if necessary, repeating the above steps at regular intervals. This way you can ensure that you sort out broken, expired or dirty items and you do not overcrowd your cupboard.

If you use a tack locker for your riding accessories and equipment, you should keep the tack locker tidy. The most important thing is that you have a separate place for each item so that you can take it out of there and put it back after use.

Keeping the tack room tidy is easier if you don't store accessories in it that you don't need regularly or that don't belong there. Clean the tack room and accessories regularly and integrate storage options such as boxes or baskets to keep the tack room tidy in the long term. 

Both our Saddle lockers as well as our Tournament cabinets by Alfako have 2 integrated saddle holders and 3 - 12 bridle holders as well as compartments and/or spacious drawers. This ensures that the saddle cupboard is kept in perfect order. 

If you have any questions about our products, please do not hesitate to contact us!