Posted 2006-03-30 12:31 PM (#39789) Subject: NEED TRAILER ADVICE
New User
Posts: 1
We just purchased a new horse trailer- (our first), and need advice on how to take care of the horse area. Do most people use bedding? If so, how much?, how often does it need changed?, and how do we clean it up- (just soiled areas or all of it)? It's an all aluminum trailer w/ rubber mats. Please help. Thanks.
Posted 2006-03-30 3:37 PM (#39796 - in reply to #39789) Subject: RE: NEED TRAILER ADVICE
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 565 Location: Michigan
I put shavings, not the sawdust(too dusty) in mine. You can get the bagged kind from TSC. Usually I leave it in the trailer for most of the summer and just clean up the soiled areas. Once in awhile I'll strip the trailer out and wash the floors, removing the mats. But make sure the floor is dry before putting the mats back in.
You don't have to use any bedding, that's a personal preference. I like to put some down in the horse area to soak up any pee puddles (helps keep the urine from getting under the mats onto the aluminum floor thus in time causing damage to the floor if left uncleaned) or manure and while some argue it adds more cush for the horse, that is what the mats help to do.
Posted 2006-03-30 7:26 PM (#39804 - in reply to #39789) Subject: RE: NEED TRAILER ADVICE
Expert
Posts: 1719 Location: PA
I also use shavings (about 3" deep) and clean out the dirt, leaving the clean shavings in the trailer till the end of the season. I just add more shavings as needed. One thing about pulling mats and cleaning the aluminum floor. If your just doing short trips, most likely your horse will not pee. I have a 2H BP that I use for run around trips no longer than 2 hours. My horse never has peed in that trailer so there is no reason to pull mats every year.
Posted 2006-03-30 9:04 PM (#39811 - in reply to #39789) Subject: RE: NEED TRAILER ADVICE
Member
Posts: 33 Location: Ashland, Ohio
How do you train your horse hav2ride? Ours always feel the need to "empty out" immediately after loading. Always a great smell while you're closing the trailer up. Because of that, we've never put anything down, shavings or otherwise. And we always clean and rinse out our trailer when we get home.
Posted 2006-03-31 1:55 AM (#39821 - in reply to #39811) Subject: RE: NEED TRAILER ADVICE
Elite Veteran
Posts: 1011 Location: Oregon
I have never used shavings in my trailer. We have been known to use our trailer on camping trips with the dirt bikes. Shavings and lubed chains don't mix well. I always wash my trailer out every trip with the horses. My friends think I'm nuts to scrub the walls and floors after every use. But then I sold my 3 year old trailer for almost $3K more than what I paid for it. The new owners asked me if I ever hauled a horse in it. It never hurts to take good care of the things you take pride in.
Posted 2006-03-31 7:53 AM (#39829 - in reply to #39789) Subject: RE: NEED TRAILER ADVICE
Regular
Posts: 76 Location: Holly Mi
I do what KRYS does.Have never put down shavings and once we are set up at camp I hook up the hose and spray out the horse area.Once we get home and unload as soon as I can I hit it with the power washer.
Posted 2006-03-31 1:27 PM (#39842 - in reply to #39789) Subject: RE: NEED TRAILER ADVICE
Expert
Posts: 1723 Location: michigan
I use whatever is available. I have used sawdust (dust hasn't been a concern, shavings ( hate to buy it when I have sawdust) or straw. Like the others, I clean out the poop or wet areas but leave the good stuff until its all needed to be cleaned out. At the end of the year, the mats are hauled out and its cleaned up.
NEED TRAILER ADVICE
