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Discussion on Butt bar or No Butt bar?
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Member:
annes
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Posted on Thursday, Apr 14, 2011 - 1:58 pm:
On Sunday my horse backed out under the butt bar in my 2-horse trailer and now I am afraid to use the butt bar. Luckily he only has two places on his back with the hair off and one on his lower leg, no cuts. He is a calm horse, stands tied and this is the 1st time this has happened. It was a very windy day and while I was securing the door he got his back feet on the ground with his back caught under the bar. This all happened very quickly. As I approached to try and release the bar, it popped open on its own and he calmly backed the rest of the way out. The trailer is a step up straight load with divider - TB size, extra wide/long. Next time, I was thinking about not using the butt bar and also giving him some feed before unloading to make sure he doesn't start off the back before I get the door open. Would this be the wrong thing to do? He is a very good boy - after the incident, I got him loaded/unloaded about 8 more times to hopefully keep him from being fearful next time. I did not close him up again though, just let him get in and out. Any opinions are welcome. I am new at trailering but have had several successful trips with him. However, our very first rides where in a large gooseneck stock trailer.
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Moderator:
DrO
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Posted on Friday, Apr 15, 2011 - 7:58 am:
Hello Ann S,
I think the butt bar an important barrier between your horse and the road and I have seen door and door latches I would hate to test with the full weight of the horse. It is probable that the butt bar could be lowered. Welds can be cut and redone.
DrO
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Member:
annes
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Posted on Friday, Apr 15, 2011 - 12:34 pm:
Thanks DrO. I had not thought of trying to lower the butt bar but did really wonder how he got under it at all - he is over 15 hands. I am going to enlist my husband to help the next time as it will be easier with two people to ensure he stays put.
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Member:
mrose
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Posted on Friday, Apr 15, 2011 - 1:31 pm:
When I used to use a straight load, I had a chain with a cover over it instead of a butt bar. It DrOoped a little so it hit right in the gaskin area, where you'd put pressure on a horse to push it forward. It worked good as the horse would feel the pressure, then move forward instead of trying to push out the door. Ours were so low I can't imagine a horse scooting under them.
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