Feed Room and Tack Room Storage Design

Feed rooms and tack rooms are often treated as secondary spaces beside the stables. In a well-designed yard they are not secondary at all. They are operational control points: the feed room governs the cleanliness, identification and distribution of animal feed; the tack room protects expensive equipment, supports safe preparation and reduces manual-handling risks; both influence fire safety, pest control, workflow and business resilience.

The best design is therefore not simply a matter of adding shelves to an available room. It begins with an assessment of what the yard stores, who uses it, how materials arrive, how often they are moved, and what must happen during a power cut, water leak, pest incident or fire. A private yard for two horses, a 20-box livery yard and a commercial riding establishment may all use the terms “feed room” and “tack room”, but their design loads and management obligations are different.

Design objectives and room planning

At concept stage, map the movement of people, horses, feed, dirty equipment, deliveries and waste. The room should support a one-way or at least non-conflicting workflow wherever practicable: delivery and checking, storage, preparation, issue and cleaning. Feed should not have to pass through a wash bay, manure route or public waiting area. Saddles and bridles should be accessible from the grooming or preparation area without creating a pinch point in a horse passage.

For a commercial establishment in England, the statutory licensing guidance for hiring out horses identifies the need for a separate, well-lit, lockable, purpose-built feed room, with water and additional storage for supplements. The exact legal position depends on the activity and nation of Great Britain, but the design principle is broadly useful beyond licensed premises: feed preparation is a food-hygiene task and deserves a dedicated, cleanable environment rather than an improvised corner of the stable aisle. See the GOV.UK hiring-out-horses licensing guidance.

Planning documents and equestrian development guidance also commonly distinguish feed stores, hay and straw stores, tack rooms and general storage. Bulk forage and bedding should normally be separated from the feed room and tack room. This reduces dust transfer, limits the fire load within the stable block and prevents large deliveries from obstructing daily work. A planning guide from Winchester, for example, recommends separate bulk feed, hay and straw storage and an integrated tack room where one is required. The recommendation is not a universal dimensional standard, but it reflects sound spatial planning.

Questions to answer before drawing the plan

• How many horses are served, and how many meals are prepared per day?
• Are feeds purchased in bags, delivered in bulk, or mixed on site?
• Are chaff, soaked feeds, supplements, oils or medicated feeds handled?
• How many saddles, bridles, rugs and protective items must be stored per horse?
• Will staff carry full sacks, lift saddles above shoulder height or move wheeled bins?
• Can a delivery vehicle reach the store without reversing through horse traffic?
• Can the room be isolated during a fire or pest-control operation?
• What records, labels and stock-rotation procedures will be used?

Feed-room layout and capacity

Capacity should be calculated from stock volume and working clearance, not from the empty floor area. A room that technically holds 30 bags may be unusable if bags block the door, conceal spillages or prevent the oldest stock being removed first. Allow space for the container itself, access to labels, inspection of walls and floors, cleaning equipment, a weighing or preparation bench, and a clear route for the person carrying feed.

Storage should be arranged so that products are readily identifiable and physically separated where confusion or cross-contamination would matter. This is particularly important for feeds intended for different horses, species, life stages or medical requirements. The feed-hygiene framework requires feed to be stored separately from chemicals and other prohibited materials, while medicated and non-medicated feeds should be separated sufficiently to reduce the risk of feeding the wrong product.

In practice, use a zoning system rather than relying on memory:

• Incoming stock: a temporary inspection area for checking damaged packaging, batch information and best-before dates.
• Dry concentrates: bagged cubes, mixes and grains in sealed, cleanable containers or on suitable racking.
• Supplements and additives: a clearly labelled, separate zone, preferably in a lockable cabinet where access control is needed.
• Prepared feeds: a clean bench or trolley area, separated from incoming bags and dirty equipment.
• Rejected or quarantined stock: a marked location for damaged, damp, mouldy or unidentified products awaiting disposal or supplier advice.
• Cleaning and measuring equipment: stored so that it cannot fall into feed or become contaminated by chemicals.

The store should follow first-in, first-out rotation unless the product manufacturer specifies another system. Labels should remain visible without moving several bags. A simple stock board or digital record can show horse, feed, quantity, batch or expiry information and any special instructions. This is an operational control, not a substitute for following the feed manufacturer’s label or professional advice.

Containers, shelving and floors

Feed containers should be robust, close-fitting and designed for cleaning. Plastic bins are common, but not every plastic product is equally durable: thin domestic containers may crack under impact, become brittle in cold conditions or lose their lids. Galvanised or coated steel can provide strength, although corrosion, sharp edges and condensation must be controlled. Whatever the material, containers should not have inaccessible ledges, deep seams or damaged seals that retain feed dust.

Do not store sacks directly on a damp floor or against an external wall where condensation may occur. Use pallets, raised shelves or a purpose-built racking system that leaves enough clearance for inspection and cleaning. The specific clearance depends on the construction and pest-control strategy; the important performance requirement is that the floor, wall junctions and underside of stock can be inspected and cleaned. Avoid timber pallets that are dirty, splintered or difficult to move.

Floors should be level, durable, slip-resistant and easy to sweep. A sealed concrete floor with properly detailed joints is generally more maintainable than an unfinished porous surface. A drainage gully is not automatically an advantage: poorly designed drainage can introduce contamination, harbour pests or allow wash water to spread through the room. Where a drain is installed, it should be properly trapped and positioned so that normal spills do not flow beneath stored feed. Wet cleaning should be used only when appropriate, and surfaces or containers must be fully dried before dry feed is returned.

The current GOV.UK guidance on reducing disease risk from animal-feed storage units recommends regular emptying and cleaning, dry or vacuum cleaning where possible, and drying equipment after any wet-cleaning process. It also emphasises attention to joints and grooves where residue can lodge. The guidance was written primarily for farm feed storage and disease control, but the principles are directly relevant to equestrian feed rooms.

Moisture, ventilation and temperature

The central environmental objective is not “maximum ventilation” but a clean, dry and stable storage environment without condensation or avoidable dust movement. Moisture can soften bags, encourage mould and support bacterial growth. The GB code of practice for control of Salmonella in animal feed notes that moisture, dust and feed residues can provide conditions for bacterial persistence and attract pests.

Provide controlled natural ventilation or mechanical ventilation where the building and stock require it. Air inlets and outlets should be protected against birds and rodents, and should not discharge dusty air towards stable doors, food-preparation areas or neighbouring properties. High-level ventilation can help remove warm, humid air, but it does not correct a leaking roof, wet wall or unsealed floor. Condensation is often a building-envelope problem rather than a ventilation-fan problem.

Heating is rarely needed for ordinary dry horse feed and can create unnecessary fire and drying risks. The more useful priorities are weatherproof construction, insulation where condensation is a recurring issue, protection from direct sunlight, and keeping stock away from hot plant or flues. Follow the manufacturer’s storage conditions for specialist products, oils and supplements; there is no single temperature or humidity target suitable for every feed.

Pest exclusion and hygiene

Feed rooms should be designed on the assumption that rodents, insects and birds will investigate any available food. Pest control is more effective when the building denies access and harbourage rather than relying only on bait. Doors should close tightly, thresholds should be durable, penetrations for cables and pipes should be sealed, and openings should be screened where necessary. The retained feed-hygiene requirements refer to close-fitting, pest-proof doors and protected windows or openings where needed.

External surroundings matter. Long grass, discarded packaging, leaking taps, overflowing bins and feed spilled outside the door can undermine an otherwise good room. A short, clean perimeter and a hardstanding that can be swept make inspection easier. Store feed away from manure, waste, bedding and chemicals. The government’s disease-prevention guidance advises keeping feed stores covered and shut so that dogs, cats, vermin and wildlife cannot access them.

Rodent bait must never be placed where it can contaminate feed or be carried into containers. Use a documented pest-control arrangement appropriate to the site, with inspection points and records. On commercial premises, a competent pest-control contractor may be preferable, particularly where horses, dogs, cats, children or staff could contact bait. Any poisoned or spoiled feed should be isolated and disposed of safely; do not attempt to disguise contamination by mixing it with sound product.

Feed preparation and water

A preparation bench should be washable, sufficiently deep for the work and positioned so that bags do not have to be lifted across it. Provide good lighting, clear labelling and enough room to place several feed buckets without pushing them onto the floor. A nearby hand-washing facility is valuable, especially in commercial yards, although its specification depends on the premises and activity. Keep animal-feed utensils separate from human food equipment.

Water is useful for soaking feeds and cleaning, but it should be arranged so that leaks cannot wet stored stock. Use a tap with a hose or controlled outlet rather than leaving a hose across the floor. Consider a splashback behind wet work and a floor finish that will tolerate occasional moisture. Prepared wet feeds should not be left standing indefinitely; follow the product instructions and the yard’s feeding procedures.

Tack-room layout and equipment protection

A tack room has three competing requirements: security, access and environmental control. Saddles are awkward loads with vulnerable structures; bridles and reins need orderly hanging; rugs require ventilation and sufficient volume; and cleaning products must be available without contaminating leather or textiles.

Saddle racks should support the saddle in a way that does not distort the panels or place pressure on delicate fittings. They should be mounted at a practical height for the users who lift the saddles, with enough projection and spacing to avoid contact between saddles. Heavy saddles should not be stored above shoulder level. Where several people use the room, label racks by horse, saddle type or owner rather than relying on colour alone.

Bridle hooks or rails should keep reins off the floor and allow bridles to dry without being crammed together. Hooks should have rounded ends and be securely fixed. Avoid protrusions at head height and eliminate sharp corners. A designated cleaning bench should be separated from clean storage, with a drip-resistant surface and a place to hang or lay equipment while it dries.

Rugs and blankets need more volume than many plans allow. Wet textiles should not be packed into closed cupboards. Provide ventilated rails, drying bars or a separate rug-drying area. Dry, clean rugs may be stored in labelled, breathable bags or on shelving, but storage should permit inspection for mould, pests and forgotten damp items. Do not use the tack room as an indiscriminate general store for feed, fuel, paint, machinery parts or chemical products.

Leather, corrosion and environmental control

Leather tack generally benefits from a clean, moderate and reasonably stable environment. Excessive dampness encourages mould and metal corrosion; excessive heat and very dry conditions can accelerate drying and embrittlement. In most yards, the practical solution is not precision climate control but prevention of leaks, adequate air movement, separation from wet rugs, and regular cleaning and conditioning in accordance with the manufacturer’s or saddler’s advice.

Metal fittings should not be stored in persistent condensation. Avoid placing tack against cold external walls if this creates repeated wetting. Do not seal damp leather into airtight plastic containers. A tack room that smells strongly musty, shows surface mould or has rusting fittings is signalling an environmental or housekeeping problem rather than merely requiring more leather dressing.

Lighting, electrics and fire safety

Good lighting is a safety feature and a quality-control feature. Users need to read feed labels, identify damaged packaging, inspect stitching and buckles, and see floor spillages. Use protected fittings suitable for an agricultural or equestrian environment, keep switches accessible and protect cables from rodents, impact and water. Any electrical installation should be designed, installed and maintained by a competent person.

Fire planning is especially important where feed rooms connect to stables. Hay, straw, dust, packaging and some cleaning or maintenance products can increase the fire load. The Home Office’s Fire safety risk assessment: animal premises and stables provides guidance for responsible persons in England. It stresses the need to assess construction, escape arrangements, detection, firefighting equipment and the way smoke can spread through open-plan animal buildings.

Do not store petrol, LPG, paraffin, paint, solvents or other flammable materials in a feed or tack room unless the storage arrangement has been specifically designed and risk-assessed. Keep ignition sources away from hay and dust. Fire doors, where provided, must not be wedged open. Maintain clear access to exits and ensure staff know the emergency procedure, including the designated place of safety for horses. Fire precautions should be coordinated with the wider yard plan, not treated as a room-by-room exercise.

Manual handling and human factors

Feed sacks, water containers, saddles and bulk supplement tubs are predictable manual-handling hazards. The room should reduce lifting, carrying, reaching, twisting and obstruction. Store frequently used products between approximately knee and chest height where practicable, reserve lower levels for heavier items that can be slid or lifted safely, and avoid overhead storage of awkward loads.

Provide a trolley with a stable base and wheels suited to the yard surface. The route from delivery point to store should be firm, level and wide enough for the trolley, with thresholds kept low. A sack truck may be useful for bulk bags, but only if doors, ramps and turning areas accommodate it. The CIEH health-and-safety guidance for horse-riding establishments and livery yards identifies lifting feed sacks and saddles as relevant hazards and recommends adequate lighting, level floors and careful rack arrangement to reduce reaching and twisting.

Security and access control

A lockable tack room is usually justified by the value and portability of saddlery. Security should include the door, frame, hinges, windows and the surrounding building. A strong lock on a weak timber door is not a complete security system. Consider restricted key or electronic access for commercial yards, but retain an emergency access method and a clear key-control procedure.

Feed-room access may need a different balance. Staff need reliable access during early-morning and late-evening routines, while visitors, children and unauthorised users should not be able to alter feeds or access supplements. A simple sign-in, labelled shelves and written preparation instructions can prevent errors more effectively than a complicated access system that staff bypass.

Materials and construction quality

Quality is visible in junctions and maintenance access. Look for sealed or well-detailed wall-to-floor junctions, protected corners, washable finishes, robust door hardware, corrosion-resistant fixings and racking that can be safely anchored. Avoid unfinished chipboard in damp areas, absorbent softwood shelving directly beside wet work, exposed mineral wool, loose sealants and unprotected cable penetrations.

Related industry reference: For businesses moving from technical research into trade sourcing, explore equestrian suppliers and manufacturers on EquiGuild.

Wall finishes should tolerate repeated wiping without shedding particles. Where impact from bags, trolleys or equipment is likely, use a durable lining or protective rail. The best surface is not necessarily the most expensive one; it is the one that remains smooth, intact, cleanable and repairable under the actual use of the yard.

Inspection and maintenance schedule

A storage room performs well only when the management routine supports the design. At minimum, include the following in the yard’s inspection system:

• Daily removal of feed spillages and checks for wet or damaged packaging.
• Regular inspection of door seals, thresholds, vents and service penetrations.
• Stock rotation and removal of unidentified, out-of-date or contaminated products.
• Scheduled emptying and cleaning of bins, scoops, benches and feed containers.
• Inspection of racking, saddle racks, hooks and wall fixings for looseness or damage.
• Checks for condensation, mould, rust, roof leaks and pest evidence.
• Testing and maintenance of lighting, alarms, extinguishers and emergency equipment according to the relevant system and risk assessment.
• Periodic review after changes in horse numbers, feed systems, staffing or business use.

Common design mistakes

• Combining everything into one room: this often creates dust, chemical, hygiene and access conflicts.
• Designing around maximum storage rather than safe access: full shelves are useless if stock cannot be inspected or rotated.
• Using domestic cupboards for commercial feed storage: they may lack capacity, cleanability, pest resistance and robust hardware.
• Installing a drain as a substitute for good detailing: drainage does not cure leaks or eliminate contamination risks.
• Storing wet rugs with clean tack: this raises humidity and encourages mould and corrosion.
• Putting heavy saddles on high racks: this increases dropping and shoulder-loading risks.
• Relying on bait instead of proofing and housekeeping: pest management should prevent access and remove food sources wherever possible.
• Ignoring future growth: a room designed for today’s two horses may become unsafe when a livery or training operation expands.

A practical specification brief

A concise brief for a new or refurbished yard should state the number of horses, stock types and maximum quantities; delivery method; required preparation tasks; access and security levels; cleaning method; ventilation approach; fire strategy; electrical requirements; pest-proofing details; manual-handling equipment; and future expansion allowance. It should also identify what is deliberately excluded from the room, such as hay, straw, fuel, pesticides, paint, waste or machinery.

For manufacturers and contractors, performance descriptions are more useful than vague labels such as “premium” or “industrial”. Specify load capacity, corrosion resistance, cleanability, replaceable components, door-cycle expectations, fixing method, compatibility with wet cleaning and the maintenance access required. For owners and operators, the quality test is simple: can the room remain clean, legible, dry, secure and safe during the busiest routine of the year?

Conclusion

A feed room and tack room should be designed as part of the stable-yard system, alongside circulation, ventilation, fire separation, drainage, waste handling and staff welfare. Feed storage needs dry, cleanable, pest-resistant and clearly segregated conditions. Tack storage needs security, safe lifting heights, ventilation and protection from damp textiles and chemicals. Both rooms need lighting, durable finishes and enough working space to make the correct procedure the easy procedure.

There is no single GB dimension or universal material specification that suits every yard. The defensible approach is to combine the applicable licensing and fire-safety requirements with feed-hygiene principles, a realistic task analysis and a maintainable construction. Good storage design is ultimately measured not by how much a room can hold on completion day, but by how reliably it protects horses, people, feed, equipment and business continuity over years of use.

Sources and further reading

• GOV.UK: Hiring out horses licensing—statutory guidance for local authorities.
• DEFRA/APHA: Reduce disease risk from animal feed storage units.
• GOV.UK: Code of practice for the control of Salmonella in animal feed in Great Britain.
• GOV.UK: Disease prevention for livestock keepers.
• Home Office: Fire safety risk assessment—animal premises and stables.
• Chartered Institute of Environmental Health: Health and safety in horse-riding establishments and livery yards.
• BSI: BS 5502—Buildings and structures for agriculture.
• Winchester City Council: Equestrian Development Supplementary Planning Guidance.

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