I purchased a 1994 Adam 2H step up/straight load GN steel trailer with a divider a couple of months ago. The person who owned it before me was a do-it-yourselfer and added insulation and paneling in the dressing/sleeping quarters, lighting/electrical outlet, and lined the walls of the trailer with a pretty thick particle board. He also built hay mangers, put pads on most of the spots that would need pads, and put mats in the floor. Seemed like he took good care of the trailer.

This is my first horse trailer and probably I should have taken my horse to load on it or at least measured him because it is a tight fit. Last trip he nearly rubbed his tail and butt off on the back. I'm going to try a tail wrap, but what I wanted to ask is should I take that thick particle board down and put some other kind of wall liner in there? And, if so, what do y'all recommend?

I think the floor mats are okay, but I've been reading about werm and something you can buy in Wal*Mart, so I'd like to hear about that too.

My horse doesn't seem to be troubled by the trailer. He loads well...even loaded himself last go round...but I think he does lean back when he's being hauled. I was just thinking that something slickier might be easier on his butt and might create just the tiniest bit of space back there for the horses to ride in. I'm afraid if I just add a pad back there on top of that particle board, he won't have any room to move!

I'd appreciate your suggestions and no, I can't trade it in and buy another trailer right now.

Do you not have a padded butt bar between him and the door for him to "lean against"?

 Here's a place to buy padding... 

http://www.horsetraileraccessorystore.com/trailer_parts.htm

No padded butt bar. When I asked about that, they told me you didn't typically need a butt bar, but my horses butt says otherwise. Thanks for the link. I'll check into that.

Just so you know I've only hauled him twice...the first time we just went a short distance and his butt was intact. It was the last trip where we went a little further and loaded and unloaded several times where he practically wore his butt off. Didn't want you to think I was abusing my buddy.

A butt bar it is! I'll get right on it.

What about the liner in the trailer. Should I replace it with something different than particle board?

This page has the padding you would need to add some cushion to the inside of the stalls... http://www.horsetraileraccessorystore.com/trailer_parts.htm

Retento,

I saw the pads, but I didn't see anything to line the walls of the stalls. I'd like to take that plywood out and replace it with something else. What do you have in your trailer??? I saw the one photo of the butt bar, but can you send me a shot of the inside of your stalls/trailer?

Casper Jack

Here's a picture simular to mine. It's lined with sheets of aluminum and lined with rubbers mats over the aluminum sheeting.

Okay, so I'm going to definitely get the butt bars, but then reconsider removing the plywood. I'm going to see if there is a trailer store in my area that can take a look at it and maybe make a suggestion about a pad for back there. I'm just afraid there isn't room for a pad. It's a tight fit.

Maybe I can shrink my horse...hmmm...just kidding.

At least I know what to look for when I go to buy another trailer in a few years.

My mothers old trailer had the plastic covers (like what is on swing set chains) and when those dry rotted she replaced them with a thick pvc pipe.  All that mattered was that it didn't pinch the horses.

My old trailer had the chains and they were covered with an insulation foam and then a vinyl cover.  Could go with just the foam and it would be easy to replace.

Definitely keep the OSB. It will greatly protect the sheet metal from damage. Almost any sheeting under 3/4" thick can be damaged. If you do decide to replace the sheeting, 1/2" Baltic Birch plywood is quite strong and long wearing. If you're worried about aesthetics, you can always place mats over the wood.

Semi rigid foam water pipe insulation is a quick fix to cover chains. It is easily cut to length and slips on the chain without removal. It would not be as long lasting as PVC pipe, but works well until a more permanent installation is chosen.

Gard

I would NOT use any rigid PVC pipe.  If the horse leans on the chains, the pipe will break or shatter.  Black poly pipe or foam ... or anything flexible is a better choice.