I would not want to use electrical conduit for trailer window bars. The material is very soft, has little strength, and could easily be dislodged by an errant horse. A broken end could easily cause serious injuries.

I went to a newly constructed stable of a friend of ours, who had used this material for stall fronts. It looked quite impressive in its pristine condition, and the owner was a little upset when I mentioned my concerns. A few days later, the first boarder was hurt by the bars. Within a month, most of the bars were bent, and shortly afterward they were replaced.

The fabric screens seem to be a very good product. They allow ventilation while providing good face protection. They are easy to install, and so far, durable. Our Exiss is now equipped with them. Depending on their long term durability, I may retrofit them into our other trailer and remove the flip down bars.

Gard

Stainless materials are a very durable solution. Instead of rods, stainless tubing is available at salvage yards priced by the pound. The ends can be flattened more easily than solid stock. Do you think three are enough?

As Towfoo stated, the screens still have benefits that the bars can't provide. They are relatively inexpensive, easy to install and protect the horses' faces which bars can't.

Even with a solid screen, in an emergency, you could quickly cut it with a knife to reach a trailer tie and attend to your horse. With a zippered screen, you have access and protection.

The screens are new to me. My one trailer has nets and bars, my other, like your's, had nothing. So far I'm pleased with their installation, and I haven't had them yet ripped out by inquisitive noses.

Gard

Where did you purchase your screens? I never thought that the screens would be durable enough to keep the horse from putting his nose through it. I was thinking 3 bars per window but I may go with four. I don't want to put alot of effort into this trailer as I'm trying to sell it to go bigger and self contained. But as long as I have it I want the horse comfy back there.....

My wife bought the "Professional's Choice" screens in Ohio. Having never used them, she bought the one piece without zippers. After installing them, we found them almost unusable while loading horses. My wife picked up some heavy duty YYK zippers, similar to our wet suits, and installed them. They work very well. I would only buy the screens with zippers.

There is another concurrent posting, where the screens are being sold.

If you are planning on selling your trailer, I would forgo the bars until you are first able to evaluate the screens. They may save you some unnecessary labour and parts costs.

Gard

Since the ultimate goal is the protection of the horse's eyes, I would think that a fly mask would greatly help. I don't know which material, (the screen or the fly mask) would have the smallest weave and hence offer the greater protection. Actually, the fly mask would continually protect the horse from debris initiated outside and within the trailer, while the screen would only prevent material and bugs from entering into the trailer.

At 60 or 70 MPH, there is a lot of turbulence created inside the trailer with the windows open. Perhaps the ultimate protection would be a combination of the two.

Gard