Re: RC: I tried a slant trailer and I didn't like it. :-)

["Nancy Mitts" <mitts_n@hotmail.com>]

Louisa,
It's not uncommon for horses to be apprehensive in new situations. The fact 
you were also leery would contribute to the situation.
Even if you decide to buy another straight load, I would recommend that you 
keep practicing with slant/strange trailers whenever possible.  It would be 
a good idea if your horse could load without being coaxed with food, too. At 
the very least vary your routine for loading into your own trailer.
I once pulled at a ride (grade 1-2 off) & my horse refused to get into the 
trailer they sent to pick us up.  After trying for a long time the lady 
asked if I knew I was only 2 miles from camp. (Nope, I was a LONG way from 
home.) I ended up riding back to camp. The last thing a sick horse needs is 
more stress being hauled to help.
Nancy Mitts

>From: Louisa_Pierce@ne.3com.com
>To: ridecamp@endurance.net
>Subject: RC:  I tried a slant trailer and I didn't like it. :-)
>Date: Fri, 24 Mar 2000 09:02:01 -0500
>
>
>
>
>As most of you know I am in the market for a new goose neck horse trailer.  
>I
>had my heart set on
>a 2 or 3 horse slant, but I was unsure if I and my horses would like it.  I
>didn't know how it would
>be to work around and get down a system that works.
>
>I was very fortunate to be able to borrow a bran new 3 horse slant with 
>dressing
>room.  It was a
>nice trailer, but not one I would pick for my self.  Even thou it was 
>missing
>some perks I would
>have in my trailer, and it was a tad smaller then the one I would pick, I
>decided to take it
>home and try it out.
>
>Now my friend (CB as I call her) and I have been trailing together for 
>about 6
>or 7 years.  We have a
>system down pat.  I stand by the escape door w/ a grain and her horse  self
>loads, and while
>I give him a carrot, she puts up the bum bar.  Then She comes up and does 
>the
>same for my horse,
>while I do the bum bar, this works out very well and it takes us less then 
>3
>minuets to load.
>
>Now, we have this slant - this is going to take some thought.  I walk my 
>horse
>up to it, and realise I
>can not walk in w/ him, and if we put a person out side the drop down 
>window, he
>wont see them
>with the carrot - hmmmmmmm.    I decide to walk in as far as I can w/ my 
>horse,
>and then push him
>over to the wall and close the patrician - sound easy?
>
>Well, it was not.  My horse was very good, but unsure about walking that 
>far
>into the this strange trailer.
>and I did not have my timing down to push him over and close the partition, 
>so
>it took us a few tires
>at this (each time my  horse would back out - gently - but he'd back out)
>
>I think CB took over for me, at leading my horse in.  She got him over and
>closed the partition.  We noticed
>that he did not have any room to move, but his window was dropped and we 
>were
>talking to him from
>outside the widow, giving him carrots etc.. and telling him he is a good 
>boy.
>(he had his hay bag to)
>
>Then I think he realised that he really could not move in this tomb, so he 
>go a
>little upset and he wanted
>to get out.  He saw the open drop down window, so he decided to try and
>fit/squeeze thou the drop down.
>He got him self stuck!  He was still calm, but he wanted to come out.  CB 
>got
>him unstuck, and we took
>him off the trailer.
>
>We then load them back up in the normal 2 straight load, and they were very
>happy.
>
>So the reason for this note, is I really do not want a slant anymore.  We 
>have
>no trailer problems at all, if
>we go w/what we are used to.  I knew that maybe in time we would all get a
>system down and horses
>would like it - and I would buy a better trailer - but I don't want to 
>spend the
>time on "getting" back to that
>point where everything clicks.
>
>I keep reading how much the horses love slants, and I want my kids to be 
>comfy.
>Of course the new
>Equs mag' came last night and it again was praising slants.  I can also get 
>more
>for my money if
>I buy a slant, a 2 goose straight load will have to be a custom order (long
>story)
>
>But, I really don't want one any more.  Please tell me that I am making the
>right decison.  Please tell me
>that my horses have loved a straight load for over 7 years and have had no
>problems and there
>is no reason to change :-)
>
>Thanks,
>
>Louisa and Sultan
>in Mass.
>
>
>
>=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
>Ridecamp is a service of Endurance Net, http://www.endurance.net.
>Information, Policy, Disclaimer: http://www.endurance.net/RideCamp
>=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
>

______________________________________________________
Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com