[RC] trailer drop down windows - Mike & Kathy Kelly
I was very excited to get my first new trailer last
year, and especially liked the drop down windows so my horse could see
out. But this weekend, after Gabriel did his best 50 ever at Old Pueblo (a
wonderful ride, thanks Marilyn for all your hard work!), I loaded him in the
trailer and left him tied while I ran to the porta-potty before leaving. I
generally leave him loose in the trailer, and planned to untie him before we
left for home.
But in the few minutes I was gone he apparently got
his halter caught on the aluminum (inside) drop down and paniced. When I
arrived he was loose in the trailer without a halter, had several cuts on his
face (way too close to his eyes for comfort), and the aluminum drop down was
very bent up. He is going to be fine (yes, the chiro/massage lady will
check his poll next week, he pulled so hard he bent the halter buckle), but I
want to make sure that never happens again.
I'm taking my trailer in Friday. I want the
inside aluminum drop downs removed from both windows. I'm thinking of
having permanent bars put over the windows (spaced close enough) and may also
have a screen covering so stuff won't fly in. I'll leave the solid drop
down windows (outside) as they are, but need to be able to open them to get
more ventilation.
Does anyone have any suggestions, or does what I
have planned sound like the safest set-up?
Also, the mats that came with the trailer are very
smooth and slick (grrrrrr). I am planning on replacing all of them with
the grooved mats that provide much better traction. Or is there a way to
roughen up the smooth mats??