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  Discussion on New Trailer Tips
Author Message
Member:
Quatro

Posted on Thursday, Apr 22, 2004 - 3:33 pm:

We are ordering a custom built trailer, today or the next. It will be a 3 horse slant with a 12' dressing room, gooseneck. We can add or delete anything we want. Just wondering if anyone has any suggestions, on must haves, or things that have made their lives easier before we place our order
thanks
sue
Member:
Cowgrl

Posted on Thursday, Apr 22, 2004 - 6:20 pm:

You should have a mat installed on the right side wall where the horses' butts will be. In case they kick, it will soften the blow. Mats for the floor too. Also, a removable/hinged bulkhead wall. That way if you're at a trail ride or show, you can open the wall and have plenty of room for all your stuff. Swing out saddle racks, water tank (can be mounted on fender or standing tank in tack room).

Have fun with your new trailer. I'm sure you'll love it.

Holly
Member:
Quatro

Posted on Thursday, Apr 22, 2004 - 11:25 pm:

Thanks Holly, The floor in the trailer is made of Rumber, a rubber lumber. We have it in our 2 horse trailer, and I love it. It is rough finished so the horse never slip on it if it is wet and it does not rot. Definately worth the investment. What do you think about placement of the outside tie rings? I have heard to place them over the wheel wells, by the tires, so they don't paw and dent your trailer, but then I have heard they can put the feet up on the wheel wells, what do you think???
thanks
I am so excited, we just ordered it today! I payed off my car, and God forbid we would be out of debt .. . . . .
suz
Member:
Cowgrl

Posted on Friday, Apr 23, 2004 - 10:17 am:

Personally I don't like tieing them over the tires because I think they can get hurt if they catch a foot between them or some such. I've never heard of horses putting their feet up on the fenders unless they rear up and land on it when they come down. Also I haven't had a problem with horses pawing and denting the trailer. Generally if my horses paw, they paw the ground, not the trailer.

Are you planning to sell your two horse? If so, what type of trailer is it?

It's the American way to be in debt forever.

Holly
Member:
Quatro

Posted on Friday, Apr 23, 2004 - 10:39 am:

The 2 horse is a Pace-Setter, 2 horse slant with a front tack room. It is in excellent condition. My husband, who really isn't a horse person, is a "stuff" person, so everytime I come home from riding, he squirts it out, scrubs the sides down. It is a 96 bumper pull. We are going to sell it, or trade it when the new trailer is done.
Member:
Cowgrl

Posted on Friday, Apr 23, 2004 - 11:49 am:

Where are you located and do you know how much you're thinking about asking for it if you do sell?

Holly
Member:
Quatro

Posted on Friday, Apr 23, 2004 - 2:17 pm:

We are in N.W. Iowa. We are asking $3800 for it. It is in excellent shape, I just now have grown to 3 horses and want to slowly make the new trailer into a camper type. We will have to add on as we go, but it will be nice. Tom and I can actually sleep in the tack room, on the floor of the 2 horse, if we get caught in the rain.
Just put up a new fence (electric) for my boys behind the house. It is so nice to look out the window and see happy horses grazing. Somedays life is Good!
suz
Member:
Shirl

Posted on Friday, Apr 23, 2004 - 2:26 pm:

Susan, I just read your post. What are of NW IA are you from? My home town was Akron IA when growing up. We lived on the family farm just west of Akron in S.D. 8 miles. The best with our new trailer. Shirl
Member:
Cowgrl

Posted on Friday, Apr 23, 2004 - 3:19 pm:

Oh well. It was a thought. I live in WA state so that'd be a hike. I'm sure you will love the new trailer. I hear the goosenecks are easy to haul and backup.

Holly
Member:
Gailking

Posted on Friday, Apr 23, 2004 - 3:32 pm:

The best thing I did when ordering my new trailer was to order split loading doors in the back. That way I can manage the doors by myself and they do not have the problems in the wind that a single door has. Sorry I didn't see your post sooner, but maybe you could still add them. All my friends that have single rear doors have problems with them staying open, the pins get sprung, etc. plus they are just much heavier and harder to open in tight places. Good luck with your new trailer. Gail
Member:
Sparky

Posted on Monday, Apr 26, 2004 - 3:11 pm:

Susan - Make sure and order your front door into your tack room as a RV door - so that you can open it from the inside - just in case you want to sleep in there. Friends just bought a used Silverlite for that purpose but did not check the door and is only opens from the outside - someone could lock them in! Good luck
Janet
Member:
Quatro

Posted on Monday, Apr 26, 2004 - 10:56 pm:

Thanks Janet. We actually are really going to spoil ourselves and put in a 10 X 12' living quarters. The tack area is just big enough for saddles and bridles. Been going back and forth on the door thing. If the wind blows I wonder how hard it would be for me alone to control 2 doors? Haven't decided yet. Just added another tie up ring. That will make 7 on a 3 horse trailer. We take corral panels with us camping, so 2 of them are for tying the panels to the side. Pretty exciting. Now I have to sell my 2 horse.
Member:
Quatro

Posted on Monday, Apr 26, 2004 - 10:59 pm:

Sorry Shirley, I just noticed your post. We are by Lake Okoboji, Spencer IA
There are so many little towns in IA, but maybe you know the lakes area?
suz
Member:
Gailking

Posted on Tuesday, Apr 27, 2004 - 3:09 pm:

As for controlling double doors in wind, each half door opens fully and locks into a rubber cup like thing to hold it fully open. You can fully open both doors, one door or leave them loose in which case they go straight back (and not out to the side). I only lock them open when I need to due to wind or slope. But they don't catch the wind like single doors do. Since all of my rider friends single door opening pins have gotten sprung from the wind, they no longer work. So if they are parked on a slope or it is windy, they have to tie the door open. Big hassle, plus the single door weighs a lot more than the doubles so it is physically easier for me to close completely by myself.
Also, I disagree with the moveable bulkhead wall because water can get under the wall when you hose it out. It also makes it easier to climb into your tack room from the horse side if someone were to break in. I often ride in the mountains for hours and leave my trailer tack room locked. Most new trailers have tack doors that open from the inside nowadays. In my tack room, I also had the side walls carpeted with inexpensive outdoor carpet to keep noise and scratching of paint down. I had an extra whole floor piece put in to match and I can just pull it out to clean and sweep. Works great.
Good luck with your trailer. I have been thinking about living quarters so would be interested in how well you like the whole unit after you get it. Gail
New Member:
Kwhaling

Posted on Saturday, Apr 2, 2005 - 1:34 pm:

Is it safe to have a feed bag on my horse while trailering a short distance? thanks for any advice! Kathy W.
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Saturday, Apr 2, 2005 - 5:40 pm:

No horses should not be fed grains or pellets while traveling. If they choke aspiration is more likely.
DrO
New Member:
Lilly

Posted on Sunday, Apr 3, 2005 - 5:12 pm:

My horse is going to be transported from Virginia to Kansas. Should she be fed pellets during her trip? If so, should she receive her usual daily allowance of 6 pounds - 3 in the morning and 3 in the evening? I noticed the posted message about not feeding grain or pellets while traveling. Is that rule just for when the trailer is in motion? Thanks.
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Monday, Apr 4, 2005 - 6:37 am:

Right, you should not feed grain or pellets while traveling. I actually do not like to feed hay either for the same reason but choke from hay is less common.
DrO
Member:
Christos

Posted on Monday, Apr 4, 2005 - 8:25 am:

DrO, I do not understand (perhaps because I have never seen a choking episode and I have no experience with trailers). Why is aspiration more likely in a trailer?
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Monday, Apr 4, 2005 - 6:06 pm:

It is nothing scientific Christos but personal experience. I have treated 3 chokes in horses traveling on trailors and the only death from aspiration pneumonia I have ever seen occured in such an instance. I am not sure they choke more on trailers but the pitching about, head tied up, combined with that they are not watched adds up to if a choke occurs it is much more likely food and saliva is going to end up in the lungs.
DrO
Member:
Mrose

Posted on Monday, Apr 4, 2005 - 8:40 pm:

I think the choke is as you say, because they often have their heads tied up, and don't get enough water. We feed on long trailer trips, but the horses can lower their heads, have water available, and we stop every three hrs. to allow for urnination, and to check water, etc. Also, we only feed hay and try to keep to regular feed schedule. I think keeping heads tied up, as many do, is also a god way to get pnuemonia or other lung problems. They need to be allowed to lower heads so sinuses can drain, etc.
Member:
Christos

Posted on Tuesday, Apr 5, 2005 - 1:30 am:

It doesn't have to be scientific, Doctor. Your great practical experience is just as helpful as your excellent scientific knowledge.
Once again, thank you.

Christos
Member:
Lilly

Posted on Thursday, Jun 23, 2005 - 12:15 pm:

I know this comes a little late but thank you for the advise on shipping my horse from VA to KS. She arrived safely and is with her new family. I now have a new horse in my life and I am very pleased with him. He is 19 years old and almost 17 Hands. He looks like a mix of thoroughbred and something else but I am not sure what. I am now in the market for a horse trailer to tow him around in. Can anyone recommend a good brand other than Featherlite or Sundowner? I won't pay the high price for those names. I am seriously looking at the Trail-et New York Eventer, 2 horse straight load bumper pull with dressing room. It is large enough for my horse and the price is decent. The most important factor in my new trailer will have to be comfort for my horse. I don't want a stock trailer or a slant load. My husband is in the military and eventually we will have to relocate. That means having to tow a horse more than 1,000 miles to his new home. I would love to find a good used trailer but they sell like hotcakes! By the way, I have a new Chevy 250 crew cab truck with four wheel drive. So, what trailer should I buy? Does anyone have thoughts on a side ramp? They look like a good idea so what are the drawbacks?
Member:
Dres

Posted on Thursday, Jun 23, 2005 - 4:33 pm:

Ann I think you should start a new discussion... but have to let you know I have the eventer// trail-et... and love it... I can go to the show and leave my horses in them all day they are very comfortable and much cooler then most trailers.. I open both ends so that a nice breeze can go thru... I am very happy with mine.. and so are the horses... (( I hate to rent stalls if I don't have to.. to many cold buggies out there that I could bring home))

On the first day God created horses, on the second day he painted them with SPOTS..
Member:
Lilly

Posted on Thursday, Jun 23, 2005 - 6:05 pm:

Sorry, you are right about a new discussion. I actually just found a recent discussion about purchasing the "right" horse trailer. I don't know if I should add to that discussion or start a new one. I am new to this.
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Friday, Jun 24, 2005 - 6:03 am:

You should look upon each discussion as belonging to the original poster. It your post helps further the owner's discussion then post to it. In general, questions about your own situation should be started in a new discussion but there are exceptions to this rule.
DrO
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