Heating a tack room

silvershadow81

silvershadow81

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So my landlord has just informed me that they decided to turn off the electrical supply to the storage heater in the tack room as they have changed their electricity tarrif. I only found out asking why it wasnt working after finding my tack had mould starting to grow on it...

Ive been 'advised' to now take my tack home if it is an issue, which it is and i dont think taking it home is a solution as my house is tiny and the rent used to include this...

Anyway, middle ground would be to find a means which is:
Safe
Cheap
to heat the tack room. It is only a small room the size of a large shed, so shouldnt need much. I was thinking something could be turned on for an hour a day, just to keep the damp away?

I just wondered what you all use to keep your tack rooms warmer over winter?

I wondered if silica gel would work drying out the air??? (or is that a silly suggestion!)

Any suggestions wlecomed please! x
 
This is an interesting question. I have two heaters in the tack room, but they are only ever used if someone is sitting in there for any length of time, say for tack cleaning. I couldn't afford to keep it permanently heated. The only time mould tends to grow on the tack is when items have been left hanging and unused or cleaned for months. Usually all that is needed is a quick wipe over. The mould is usually feeding on the saddle soap rather than the leather itself.
 
Good question!

I've recently suggested to mum about having a small heater (like this - http://www.google.co.uk/imgres?hl=e...182&start=0&ndsp=33&ved=1t:429,r:22,s:0,i:151) outside to use in the tack room/rug room. My main problem is wet rugs, would be nice to be able to dry them before putting them back on again :( Mum is worried about fire risks so won't let me use anything!

My saddler has a small heater in her tackroom, I was really surprised by how warm it made it!
 
3Beasties said:
Good question!

I've recently suggested to mum about having a small heater (like this - http://www.google.co.uk/imgres?hl=e...182&start=0&ndsp=33&ved=1t:429,r:22,s:0,i:151) outside to use in the tack room/rug room. My main problem is wet rugs, would be nice to be able to dry them before putting them back on again :( Mum is worried about fire risks so won't let me use anything!

My saddler has a small heater in her tackroom, I was really surprised by how warm it made it!
Click to expand...

The best way to dry wet rugs is to leave them on the horse. Normally I change rugs when the horses come in, but if they are wet, I leave them on over night, so long as the horses are not shivering and the rug is not wet inderneath. Cannot stand putting wet rugs on in the morning. Poor horse!
 
I have an electric oiled filled radiator on a timer which comes on through the night, just on a low setting. I've no idea how much it costs to run though, probably wouldn't want to but it does keep the mould issue at bay. I also leave wet turnout rugs on as long as the water hasn't seeped through!
 
Wagtail said:
The best way to dry wet rugs is to leave them on the horse. Normally I change rugs when the horses come in, but if they are wet, I leave them on over night, so long as the horses are not shivering and the rug is not wet inderneath. Cannot stand putting wet rugs on in the morning. Poor horse!
Click to expand...

I hate it too and when I can I do leave there rugs on so they dry. Ideally I'd leave them on for a few hours and then swap them when I check them last thing at night but more often then not they are not coming in till 9pm and are checked again an hour or so later so not enough time to dry them in between.

Thankfully they always have a liner/under rug on so they don't really feel the 'wet' rug but it's still horrible.
 
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silvershadow81 said:
Bertha does look lovely, but i think she is far too fancy for my tack room!! (and a tad too expensive for me!) thanks for sharing though, i now want a Bertha for my house!
Click to expand...

I was very lucky, and picked Bertha up for just £30 when a friend moved abroad.

I'm sure it's not terribly nice of me, but I'm very glad they went!
 
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