Posted 2011-04-26 9:51 AM (#133552) Subject: Aluminum from trailer on horses
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 504
I had a mare shipped. She came in an aluminum truck. She has aluminum marks on her front, hind end, and both sides. My trailers are steel. I'm curious about a couple of things. Does this often happen with aluminum trailers? Is the aluminum not toxic to them? What is the best way to get it off, short of a full bath?Thanks.
Posted 2011-04-26 11:12 AM (#133556 - in reply to #133552) Subject: RE: Aluminum from trailer on horses
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Posts: 399
Location: Ottawa, Illinois 61350
All milled aluminum (aluminum w/o baked on paint finish) will rub off on a light colored horse in the form of blackish/gray color. I have never heard of this being toxic to a horse, as it can be taken care of rid, with a washing or two. Even baked enamel finishes on an aluminum trailers butt wall will soon rub off with a horses butt making contact with the painted aluminum surface after a time. Padded dividers or covered dividers will pretty much solve this problem if you have light colored horses, such as paints, greys, palominos, etc.
Posted 2011-04-26 11:25 AM (#133560 - in reply to #133552) Subject: RE: Aluminum from trailer on horses
Expert
Posts: 3802
Location: Rocky Mount N.C.
Wash the bad spots with "Dawn" dish washing detergent, then hit it with some of this.
Fiebing Blue Frost Whitening Horse Shampoo!!
Fiebing's Blue Frost is formulated to clean and condition white coats. Blue Frost contains special brightening agents that will whiten and brighten Whites and Greys while removing tough urine and grass stains. Blue Frost delicately removes residual buildup of fly sprays, detanglers, environmental pollutants and hard water minerals. Conditioning agents build body and strengthen thinning, fragile hair. Blue Frost is a gentle, aloe based formula that conditions and protects skin and hair from damage caused by combing, drying and braiding. Concentrated formula produces thick, rich lather that is easy to rinse out. Stunning results on white dogs as well.
Posted 2011-04-26 9:07 PM (#133589 - in reply to #133552) Subject: RE: Aluminum from trailer on horses
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 504
Thanks for the tips. I didn't know she was going to be so "gray" when she got here:). She is clipped so very short, it's on her skin and I wondered if it might be bad for her.I'll get some of the Fiebing Blue Frost shampoo - thanks for the tips.
Posted 2011-04-27 7:12 AM (#133599 - in reply to #133552) Subject: RE: Aluminum from trailer on horses
Expert
Posts: 2453
Location: Northern Utah
My 1st aluminum GN didn't have padding on the panels. When ever I arrived at my destination, I could see which horses had leaned on the panels for balance while we drive. They would have large aluminum patches on their hips.
That trailer is gone, But one of those horse is still standing out in my pasture. It's been 10 years since that trailer was sold and I'm not seeing any problems with that horse from those years of exposure.
Posted 2011-04-27 9:03 AM (#133603 - in reply to #133552) Subject: RE: Aluminum from trailer on horses
Location: Central Arkansas
I always try to use scrim sheets on my yella horses in the trailer. Itn doesn't really show up on the darker ones. If I forget, I just use a bluing or citrus shampoo.