I get tons of fan mail from all over the world asking questions about me, about the series and offering suggestions for future episode, site or blog ideas and I work hard to keep up with personally replying to them all. I thought it fun to pick a question here or there and answer on my blog so here goes. This week it’s from Claire in Atlanta, Georgia. She emails,

“My Rubbermaid tack trunk just broke down after lots of abuse and I was wondering what kind of tack trunk you would advise along with how you would organize it. I am boarding my horse at a barn and I don’t have to keep my saddle in my trunk but everything else including; wraps, grooming, bathing, saddle pads, bridle, etc. Thanks so much, and i LOVE the show, Claire”

Thanks very much for the email Claire! You send in some super questions and I’ve enjoyed answering them for you! I have actually had the same two tack trunks the last several years and they have traveled with me to New York, flown over and back to The Netherlands, driven down to Wellington as well as up to Maryland and have held up SUPER well. They are your basic Contico lockable plastic trunks with wheels that I bought from my local hardware store each for under $70! Mine looks much like the one posted.

Now this is not to say that I haven’t fantasized about an elite hunter jumper style barn tack trunk running upwards of $800 as I have, but I’ve ended up focusing my horse finances on training and the best equipment rather than an elite, more than just functional, fancy place to put all my top equipment. I’ve seen the traditional tack trunks through the years and they generally hold up incredibly well and if you have grooms to schlep them around for you, then you’re golden!

In my surfing, I came across this website that sells plans for building your own and it seems they have a wide variety of options and have sold plans to quite a few people. Maybe they will send me some? Hmmm? Looks like the architects name is Bill and his testimonials page that I landed on is at http://www.elitetackdesign.com/PBTrunks.html and there’s several neat variations of his original plans published on this page. My favorite is the top one made by Don Cogzill for his granddaughter (pictured).

While training in The Netherlands as well as living in Madrid, I gained an appreciation for the metal rolling cases! It was one stop unpacking to the competitions when your lorrie rolled up, you simply unloaded the horse and rolled off your metal tack armoire with massive locking casters and voila! Unpack complete and ready to school! These are challenging to find stateside but not impossible and I’ve thought when I finally break down and invest in a “proper” tack trunk I’ll go this route with a small to medium sized version large enough for 1 saddle, 2 bridles, heaps of polos, standing wraps, misc training gear and a plethora of saddle pads as well as my boots & helmet too. Sounds like I’m leaning to the medium size on my wish list! So far I’ve only found pictures of the small metal version but you’ll get the idea. They seem nearly indestructible and come with easy tie downs for the horse box or air cargo rides you might have in your future! So, if you’re thinking of a holiday or birthday present for me, think no further! 😉 You can try contacting these guys at http://www.everythingbutthehorsellc.com. I don’t know anything about them but if you do, please share the info with me!

Lastly, while I’m on the role of wish lists, I’ve came across the most brilliant soft sided cases at Oughton Limited. While these “tack trunks” seem far to posh for your horse gear they are sure to inspire the organized, packing junkie inside all of us! Whether you winter in Wellington, ride the HITS Circuit, take frequent trips aboard, or even just drive down the road to the local schooling competition, this Rolling Tack Trunk from Oughton Limited is AMAZING (in the photos as least as I haven’t been fortunate enough to see this one in person!). It seems large enough to accommodate weeks on the road and their description boasts, “astonishingly large amount of tack and organization required when traveling with horses inspired the versatile Rolling Tacktrunk Bag. Made of waxed canvas trimmed in premium bridle leather and imported bronze fittings, the Rolling Tacktrunk is the ideal piece of luggage for riders. Pack all your street clothes and sundries for several weeks of showing or saddle, boots, hat, and more. Special padded bottom to protect your saddle.” so in fact one can transport tack in this lucious looking piece of luggage art if they so desired. I’ve emailed with them a bit this week and they are so nice! You can check out their website at http://www.oughtonlimited.com.

Well, Claire, thanks again for the many questions you’ve sent in. I hope my replies have been helpful and I hope you find this post equally as helpful. If you’d like to send in a question, you can do so at http://contact.horsegirltv.com and select “Ask Angelea” so it will get forward to me directly!

Cheers, happy spring & in case you haven’t already, please subscribe to my weekly Equestrian Life, Style & Culture Guide. It’s free!

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