Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
Rope hooks help prevent tangles.
A boot scraper or mat, placed outside the door to remove mud and snow before entering
the tack room, will help to preserve the floor.
A large amount of wall space is required for hanging equipment, especially bridles and
halters. Bridle holders with contoured crown pieces that approximate the configuration and
size of a horse's poll area help to keep bridles in good shape. A half-circle of wood about
4 inches in diameter and about 2½ inches thick works well. A ¾-inch lip on the forward
edge of the curved surface will keep the bridle from slipping off the bridle holder. Mount
the wooden bridle holders 9 inches apart, center to center, to provide ample room for con-
venient use.
Other gear, such as running martingales, ropes, extra cinches, and nosebands, can be
hung on hooks. Many types of commercial hooks are available, and custom hooks can be
fashioned from, among other things, old horseshoes. Figure how many hooks you think you
will need, then double the number! It is Murphy's Law that the pair of reins you want is
always at the bottom of a pile of entangled leather and nylon straps. Outfit your tack room
and grooming area with plenty of hooks.
Saddle racks can be freestanding or built-in. The former style is essential for the com-
pulsive rearranger. Freestanding units are useful as saddle-cleaning stands and can be relo-
cated near the heater in January or carried outside to a shady spot in June.
Built-in wall-style saddle racks will allow you to store a stack of saddles in a small space.
Mount the racks with ample room in between—more than seems necessary, especially if
