Storing unused tack

[soloequestrian]

I have a perfectly reasonable (ahem) collection of bits of leather tack that I don't use day to day but don't want to get rid of. What is the best way to store this sort of stuff? Some of it hangs with my in-use bridles but gets mouldy there; some is kept in a chest of drawers in the same room and it seems better but tends towards the dry side. Wondering if it would work to keep it in plastic boxes having been well conditioned? Or would that just encourage the mould?
Suggestions gratefully received.

 

[dogatemysalad]

All my spare leather tack was kept in a large wicker basket with a cotton sheet over it on top of a wardrobe. Had to clean, condition and air dry thoroughly first, but it worked well.
Then I finally sold/gave it away which was much better, as I highly doubt I'll ever have more than one horse again.m

 

[Red-1]

Good, unused tack lives in the house. In a pillowcase, or hanging free in the North side so no sunlight.

 

[The Xmas Furry]

Cotton pillow cases for smaller stuff, cotton duvet covers for saddles etc. Ensure metalwork is removed from leather work where possible, pop ends of things like billets through keepers, dont hang bridles with bits in.
I keep unused or rarely used stuff in the small spare room, the radiator is on the frost setting, curtains closed. It's cool but not damp, I pull stuff out once every couple of months to wipe over and treat.

 

[welshpony216]

I wrap mine in newspaper or something to absorb extra moisture (after cleaning and conditioning), then put it in a plastic storage container, I store extra bits in shoe boxes. I also label everything, pony size stuff, cob size stuff, horse/full size, draft size, snaffle bits, etc.

 

[milliepops]

I think stuff that's not going to be used for ages is better stored in a cool room indoors than in your average tack room. It's been a long time since I had use of a tackroom that was really fit for purpose, most have been too cold and damp in winter for keeping anything other than stuff in regular use. I keep stuff I care about in a big cool cupboard in the house. a few things take their chances in boxes in the stone barn where my youngsters live, which is a pretty good environment but eventually it all needs attention

 

[scruffyponies]

Old fashioned way was to smother in Ko-cho-line and store in a hessian sack somewhere cool, dry and rat-proof. Make sure you get right into the buckle tongue holes to prevent steel buckle tongues rusting.

I took on some 100 year old harness stored that way. The only bits I had to repair were where the rats had got to the linseed-stuffed cruppers and the wool-stuffed saddle pad. The rest just needed a good rub over with some more grease and went back to work.

 

[ester]

All my lives in Mum and Dad's house The bridle and bits of leather hang uncovered in my wardrobe and I think I last cleaned/greased with jeffries stuff last Christmas and checked it this week and was fine.
One saddle is in the unheated utility room and the other has apparently been relegated to the loft, how rude!

I keep expecting mould but none happens.

 

[cremedemonthe]

It's important to keep the leather in a dry, not overly warm, bright room at 56 degrees F or slightly higher if the leather has a good fat content but no more than 65-70 degrees where possible.

Keep out of direct sunlight but light is good to keep mould at bay.
Avoid, glycerine saddle soap, it encourages mould as it's a humectant which means it draws in moisture from the surrounding air and that includes those demon mould spores right along with it, you will also need to avoid dark, damp unheated, tack rooms where possible.

Storing leather​

Place any bridles or saddles not being used in thin white cotton pillowcases or wrap them in white cotton sheets, these help absorb moisture in the air, stops spores getting in to the leather from any other leather in the room and lets the light through which will help kill spores.​

DO NOT use plastic bags as I have seen some people do, it won't allow air flow and encourages the leather to sweat in the heat, inducing more mould.​

Sunlight in moderation is a natural disinfectant, helping to kill the spores but don't leave it in the sun for too long as it will damage the leather and dry it out too much, try to get the balance right.​

Monitor your stored or unused leather as it will need conditioning again at some point.​

Oz

 

[PurBee]

To prevent damp/mould you could get a few large pouches of drying dessicated silica, to absorb excess moisture. Every 6 weeks or so you can then pop them in the oven for an hour to re-dry the pouches and re-use them.
You can now get orange silica beads that turn green when fully saturated, so you can see when they need drying for re-use.
I bought a kilo of orange silica beads off ebay for a good price.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Silica-Gel-Dessicant-Granules-Beads-SELF-INDICATING-ORANGE-Loose-MULTI-LISTING/291548962868?_trkparms=aid=1110006&algo=HOMESPLICE.SIM&ao=1&asc=20200520130048&meid=68a74af1f5174915bbcb59e35813a9b3&pid=100005&rk=1&rkt=12&mehot=pf&sd=281240594737&itm=291548962868&pmt=1&noa=0&pg=2047675&algv=SimplAMLv5PairwiseWebWithDarwoV3BBEV2b&_trksid=p2047675.c100005.m1851

just be cautious to not use too much silica to dry-out leather completely, if youve used a leather conditioning oil-based cream the silica beads wont dry that out.

ETA: dont use the beads loose touching the leather. use them in a breathable pouch in the cupboard/box that stores the cotton wrapped leather.

 

[soloequestrian]

I'd consider it the height of luxury if anywhere in my house got above 21 degrees....
Thanks for all the tips.

 

[Lintel]

..... I have just vaccum packed mine.
Not sure how that'll go.

 

[Keira 8888]

Number one: hide from
Husband!!!

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

Number one: hide from
Husband!!!

I know luckily I have a huge cupboard in my utility room full of my old crap tack but unfortunately it's not big enough for in used saddles!!