Posted 2012-04-07 11:56 AM (#142879) Subject: Shadow Opinions
Member
Posts: 40 Location: Missouri
Would like to hear some opinions about Shadow trailers and would like to hear specifically from Shadow owners, not dealers, on the quality & durability. Plan on hauling 2000 lb draft size horse and probably need 7'6" tall BP model. Towing with an F150. Can these trailers structurally handle that size horse? I've done a search and didn't find much information other than they are lighter weight than most trailers.
Posted 2012-04-07 7:08 PM (#142888 - in reply to #142879) Subject: RE: Shadow Opinions
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 434 Location: Brooksville, Fl
I have a Shadow and know of a girl nearby who has a Shadow and draft horses. Her trailer has held up just fine. She bought a 3 horse slant and made it basically into a two horse to fit the big guys. I have the straight load and like it just fine. It's held up well and is a basic model. I would recommend a wider trailer for your horses than the standard width. I have a 16.1 Friesian X. He's a wide load and he fits pretty well with some wiggle room but if I had only drafts, I would order a wider trailer. The height is great and I don't think I would ever buy a shorter trailer. The only problem we have had is the big guy likes to reach his head around the head divider and has managed to take his halter off on it, flip it back and forth (the other horse didn't appreciate that) and got his rope caught under and broke the weld. All this was caused by trying to get the hay of his partner. He did have the exact same hay hanging in front of him but that was not good enough. We had that piece modified and it is no longer a problem. Yes, they are lightweight but if it holds up to my destroyer, I'm sure it would hold up to your beasts. The only other issue I have is that the drop down windows leak and the strike plate broke on one. This was only a problem in that the bars wouldn't stay up. We need to get it fixed but a screw has done the job for now. Depending on the model you get, you may not have the same pre-fab windows. I like that they allow a lot of light in when closed but they are cheap. Not all Shadows are made with them.
Shadow Opinions
