Saddle Pad Storage

[Shoei]

Morning All

Can anyone recommend a storage solution for dressage saddle pads that is mouse proof!!

A mouse seems to have gotten into my tack store and chewed only my white pads.... just enough to destroy the pad... and went through the whole stack!!!

At least it wasn't my glossy ones!!!!

 

[Barton Bounty]

I keep all my pads inside rug wash bags like this attached.

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[SEL]

I've got large plastic boxes up off the ground. Slightest hole in the box though and they get through.

 

[tyner]

Best thing is to hang them up if you can.

Cheap "garment rail" on Amazon/ikea and then you can use trouser hangers with the clips to hang them individually.

Look for a garment rail that has a cover.
It lets air circulate and keeps everything really tidy.

It's also nice because you open up the cover and can see everything at a glance, not opening up a bunch of bags to find the one thing.

I grew up in a dressage barn with lots of competition horses and a crazy amount of kit and this is how we did it.

 

[marmalade76]

Blanket boxs, feed bins, old chest freezers, all are rodent proof. I also put bait down when they start moving in which will be soon.

 

[Bluewaves]

I keep them at home with two cats in residence.

 

[tyner]

I keep them at home with two cats in residence.

Yes good shout, cat or jack Russel will generally take care!

 

[expanding_horizon]

Other than the ones in use the rest live under my bed! When I bring one home to wash, I get out another one.

 

[SEL]

I keep them at home with two cats in residence.

Where they become a cat bed.....

 

[Bluewaves]

Where they become a cat bed.....

They do indeed. My little tabby is stretched out on an old one right now.

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

Metal dustbin?

 

[criso]

I use these for rugs and it's tough material. The smaller one could work for saddle pads.

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[SilverLinings]

The only thing that will keep determined mice and rats out is a metal container (and I've seen an optimistic rat having a go at a metal bin). Cheap options are chest freezers (as mentioned by @marmalade76), metal dustbins and metal trunks. I have a couple of nice looking 'vintage' tin trunks that I bought for £5 and £10, one from the local tip shop and the other from a carboot sale and they are easy to move around (weigh about the same as a metal bin), lockable, can fit in saddle pads laid flat, and have a good capacity (can fit a saddle or two in). Charity shops and warehouses often also have old metal trunks.

Rodents are clever, and once they have found a source of food/bedding/gnawing material they will keep returning unless you remove the item or stop them getting to it. They can easily scale walls and ropes, and can jump a considerable distance so a wall- or ceiling-mounted rack wouldn't necessarily be a deterrent. As well as food and nesting material they also need to gnaw to keep their teeth in good condition as they have continuously erupting teeth, so the behaviour is compulsive, and this is why they will often chew inedible things. Be aware that a mouse can get through a 6-7mm hole (1/4" or just over half a cm!) and a rat through a 2cm hole.

I feel your pain, it is particularly irritating that they have only done just enough damage to ruin your pads, and rather than eating a whole one they have taken a bit from each

 

[Bobthecob15]

We have a clothes rail in the rack room with hangers, the ones you hang trousers up with! Work perfectly and so far no mice!

 

[holeymoley]

I use the zipped storage bags you get from ikea.

 

[Pippity]

They do indeed. My little tabby is stretched out on an old one right now.

Whereas mine is stretched out on a brand new one that hasn't been near a horse. She even removed it from its plastic bag.

I use a garment rail with the pads on clippy coathangers. I have bulldog clips to keep the associated hat silk/fly bonnet with the relevant saddle pad, because I'm maybe a bit too obsessed with my matchy-matchy.

 

[ILuvCowparsely]

Morning All

Can anyone recommend a storage solution for dressage saddle pads that is mouse proof!!

A mouse seems to have gotten into my tack store and chewed only my white pads.... just enough to destroy the pad... and went through the whole stack!!!

At least it wasn't my glossy ones!!!!

Metal trunk
small chest freezer
I put a shelving in the tack room for all the saddle pads.

 

[Dontforgetaboutme]

I have these in various sizes, tough stackable. Fits full size saddle pad without folding. No signs of rodent damage & waterproof https://www.plasticboxshop.co.uk/ho...MIveCGhIqCggMVU_ntCh3SjQ8KEAQYBCABEgL8LPD_BwE

 

[Widgeon]

You've got me worried now - I just keep them in a tidy-ish heap in the tackroom and rely on three murderous cats!

 

[tyner]

I use the zipped storage bags you get from ikea.

These ones are brilliant for everything.

The small ones are great for boots and leg wraps and the bigger ones perfect for rugs. They last longer than the "reusable" bags the rugs come in.

When IKEA has a sale they are often marked down to 50 and 75p respectively. Usually the one after Christmas is the time to stock up!