Tack Rooms..... mouldy tack

NeverSayNever

NeverSayNever

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does anyone successfully keep tack in an outdoor tack room that isn’t heated without leather going mouldy? I’ve always kept my saddle, leather girths, bridles, leather headcollars etc in my utility room but looking at moving house and pondering on options.
 
We do, if the tack is used less then once a week I put it away in big containers. Other tack in regular use is fine! No problems with mould.
 
Stuff in regular use seems OK. Well oiled / conditioned tack is an ideal mould culture, so it can be a sign your leather is dry if it doesn't go mouldy!

If you don't use something for a while, use Ko-cho-line, then cover / bag to prevent spores getting to the leather.
 
I spent yesterday afternoon cleaning all my leather because I have a metal 20ft container as a tack/feed room and nearly cried when I saw the mildew that had developed even on my wrapped up stuff. Currently the stuff is in my car until I can think of a way to keep my gear dry (box with those dehumidifying crystals perhaps).
 
I have used the dehumifiers with success, but depending on how much tack and size of room you will need a few. Alternatively part fill a pillowcase or similar with rice and drape over saddles- rice is a natural dehumidifier.
 
I have an electric dehumidifier in my tack room. It is amazing how. Uch water it collects in a day.
 
For the last 4 years all my tack has been in an unheated external wooden tack room and I've never had a problem with mould or mildew.
 
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At our yard my tack is in a large metal container (shipping type), and I've noticed it smells damp, so I'm grateful for the tip about putting a rice pillow on top of the saddle, and maybe put a box of the crystals underneath. Also just thought...I could put the bridle in a pillowcase with a couple of the silica sachets you get with shoes! Thanks people!
 
I make sure my leather work is under fleece covers and then my saddles are under spare rugs as well. This is the only thing that has stopped mould on my tack
 
I have stored my tack in our caravan, had to clean every last bit of tack due to mould and I have a lot, thanks to 4 horses, 2 of which are ride n drive so also have harness, thank god for grandkids and initially all the saddles were stored under rugs, didn't help
 
Both of my saddles have covers which doesn't prevent the mould in our tack room growing on the leather one :( The synthetic is generally fine. Nothing has worked for me for the leather apart from cleaning after every time I ride to keep it at bay. If I don't ride for a few days I keep an us on it and clean if I feel it is needed
 
Aldi have mini dehumidifiers for £30 each at the moment - if you've got an electric point in the tack room it might be worth putting one of those in?
 
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