There’s something magical about walking into a clean, organized space. The air feels lighter, your mind feels clearer, and everything you need is exactly where you expect it to be. For horse people, that space is often the tack room, the heart of the barn where our tools, gear, and daily routines live.
But let’s be honest: tack rooms don’t clean themselves. Over time, little messes add up. A stray polo wrap here, a half-empty fly spray there, and before you know it, finding a matching set of boots feels like a treasure hunt.
The good news? Giving your tack room a makeover doesn’t have to be expensive. In fact, with a little creativity and teamwork, you can create a fresh, functional space without spending a single dollar.
Photo Courtesy of Shelley Paulson Photography
Step 1: Ask Around
Horse people are resourceful. And often, we have more than we need. Before you buy anything new, start by asking your barn friends if they have extra hooks, bins, or shelves they no longer use. You might be surprised at how much unused gear is tucked away in storage. Offering to give it a new life in your tack room helps you and clears space for them.
If your barn community is large, consider making a “swap day” where everyone brings extra items they don’t need. What’s gathering dust in one tack room might be the perfect solution in yours.
Step 2: Share Tools
Sometimes the only thing standing between a messy tack room and an organized one is the right tool for the job. Borrowing a broom, vacuum, or even a power drill from a fellow barnmate can help you make quick improvements without spending a cent.
Hanging an extra bridle rack or adding a few sturdy hooks can dramatically increase storage space. A good sweep and wipe-down instantly brightens the room and makes it more inviting.
Step 3: Work Together
Cleaning can feel like a chore when you tackle it alone, but it’s amazing how quickly the work gets done when you have company. Invite a friend to help sort, fold, and reorganize. Not only will you get the job done faster, but you’ll also have someone to help decide what stays, what goes, and where everything should live.
You could even turn it into a barn-wide cleaning day, followed by coffee or a small potluck. A shared sense of accomplishment makes the barn feel even more like home.
Why It Matters
A tidy tack room isn’t just about appearances. When everything has a place, you save time, reduce stress, and protect your equipment from unnecessary wear and tear. It’s about creating a space that supports your daily barn life, making every ride and chore just a little easier.
Your Extra Motivation
If you’ve been putting off your tack room makeover, here’s your gentle nudge. From August 14 to September 18, we’re inviting you to share your before-and-after transformation in the Tack Room Contest, presented by HorseGrooms, Instagrooms, and SeBo, with prizes from Shapley’s, Corro, and Nag Tags. You don’t need a perfect space, just the willingness to start fresh and make it work for you.
Because sometimes the best reward for cleaning is how good it feels… and sometimes, it’s a prize worth over $1,300.
Read more here.
Enter the contest here.
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Our goal is to create a space to keep horsemanship alive; for grooms to support and educate each other; and to help advance the craft of grooming. HorseGrooms is dedicated to ambitious grooms everywhere.
