Conference noted::equitation

    If you can get your hands on a copy of the 4-H Winter Care and
    Management book they have some nice plans for a tack box and jumps.  I
    have a box made to their plans and I love it.
    
    Karen

    My husband made me a lovely LARGE wooden tack box.  I love it, and
    it is very functional at the barn.  But it is so heavy that when
    I move it, I have to take everything out first!  Thank goodness
    I only have to move it if I change barns.
    
    Point is, one thing to consider is will this trunk be taken to
    shows or staying in one place, when you decide materials/size.
    
    Some niceties I enjoy:  The lid will stay up when I open it.  I
    have a wraps rack that fits into it (I bought one that came with
    small mounts so it attaches to one wall of the trunk).  I have
    a shelf so that I don't have to pile everything up and then dig
    through to get to various items.  My initials in brass on the front.
    
    Some niceties I don't have: A removable top shelf with handles.
    A built-into-the-lid wraps rack.
    
    Your wife will love you!!  Have fun.
    
    Jennie

    A few more things I forgot:
    
    - The trunk bottom is off the ground, so in case of rain/leaks,
    I don't have to worry.
    - My grooming kit fits nicely inside and sits on the shelf so
    it's easy to pull out when I get to the barn.
    - I have a few hooks on one side that I hang bits or leather straps on.
    - Good quality hardware for handles, hinges, lock.
    - Shelves should take into consideration the height of items you'll
    want to put on them - spray bottles are notoriously high!
    - having some depth in the trunk lid will help with the height problem.
    - some trunks have a half-shelf on top, which can slide to either
    side allowing good access underneath without removing it.
    
    Again - have fun, and consult with your wife!
    
    Jennie

    My father made me a custom box.....
    
    It is wood with a hinged top, and 2 inch legs to keep it
    off the ground.  No shelves or racks, but I can have him
    do that if I want.  It's beautiful!!!!!  Also heavy!!!!
    
    Lynne

    
    
    You might want to go to some of the nicer tack shops and look at the
    trunks they have on display for ideas or check some horsey catalogs. 
    The new Dover catalog has pictures of some primo trunks in there that 
    have a lot of the features mentioned in the preceding replies. 
    Shelves, removeable grooming box, and a built in bandage rack in the
    lid. You can also get a good idea on the standard dimensions that most 
    trunks are available in.
    
    My trainer has a tack box with a saddle rack built into it.  The
    grooming box sits in one half of the trunk and the saddle rack in the
    other half.  It is one of the greatest ideas for a trunk that I have
    seen in a long time.  Another good idea is to include wheels on the
    base so that the trunk is easier to move around.  Most hardware stores
    have *locking* wheel assemblies that can be bolted onto the bottom of 
    the trunk and then locked when you get it set up by the stall.  I can
    think of nothing worse than to have a trunk on wheels rolling down a
    hill at a show scattering its contents (and people/horses) all over the 
    show grounds.  A movers dolly also works well if you do not want to attach
    the wheels permanetly.
    
    
    One of the most critical things to remember if you are going to take
    the trunk to shows is to make sure that it will fit in your
    trailer/truck.  There is nothing worse than getting ready to go to the
    first show and finding out that the trunk won't fit into the trailer.
    
                       
    Pat
    

    My dad made me a nice tack box.  It is huge!  Well big enough to fit
    into the tack room of a stable, but not so big to be obnoxious ;^)
    
    It has a hinged cover, and when it is opened, there is a sliding shelf
    on metal slide things and a place to sit my grooming caddy into.  I 
    can put all sorts of stuff in the bottom.  I plan on adding one of
    those wrap caddys to a side or to the cover.
    
    It sits on little tacks so air can get underneath. 
    
    I believe he modeled it after one of the Dover boxes.
    
    Nice present!  One never has enough spacve for their horsey stuff.
    
    Michele 

    My father also built me a beautiful trunk for my barn. It is complete
    with wrap racks,a removable tray,a boot rack [my boots not the horses],
    also a small binet built into the lid. It is a gorgeous trunk and it
    has wheels so it is not to heavy . I enjoy it alot.      BLESSED ARE
    THE BARN BOXES!