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Discussion on Scary trailer incident | |
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Posted on Friday, Jun 8, 2001 - 12:18 am: Last weekend we were at a horse show and as we were about to leave and pull out of the parking lot, hell broke loose in the horse trailer.I ran back and peeked through the manger door ( I have a 2 horse gooseneck, straight load). All I saw was feet IN the manger. I screamed for help. We opened up the ramp and butt bar and luckily we had tied my horse (he was alone) with a safety knot and one pull opened it up. He had both feet in the manger plus his head and had his hoof stuck in the haynet, trying to climb out through the front of the trailer wall. I WILL NEVER USE A HAYNET AGAIN!!! He got his foot out of the haynet and managed to get both feet out of the manger and backed out. I don't know who was more upset..me or the horse. Anyway, his sports medicine boots protected him good enough that I couldn't find any kind of injury. (Thank God!) We then tied the divider over to one side, hoping he would go in (after a long break). Nope. Not a chance, he turns sideways and steps right off the ramp. So I paid a guy to haul him home in a stock trailer with a box stall, untied. He did just fine and walked right in. I still have no idea what set him off. This horse flew 2x in airplanes and traveled to lots of places. He always did fine (I do believe I am a very good hauler and my rig is safe) till about 1 year ago....he decided he wouldn't go in. It took a lot of in and out until he loaded again. The morning of the show he did the same thing and after about 10 minutes we got him in. He always stomps his feet when we are stopped and the vehicle isn't moving (always did). Well to make a long story shorter....I am selling this trailer now because I do believe he will never go back in (I hate to give up my dressing room :-)). Should I go with a stock trailer with box stalls, slant load or enclosed trailer with slant or box? Any ideas? Another thing....he has no cuts or anything but I noticed a swelling ( I think it's a bruise) on the bottom of his right side where the cinch would go (behind where the heart would be?). About 2 hands wide and 1/2" - 1" thick. It is soft to the touch and I think it is where the manger might have pushed against him while he was trying to climb through it. Should I put DMSO on that? Do I have to get this drained if it doesn't go away? I am sorry if I sound confusing. Any advice appreciated. Thanks |
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Posted on Friday, Jun 8, 2001 - 7:25 am: Hello Monika,Why not have your cake and eat it too. There are slant loads that can have the partitions removed yet do not leave dangerous pieces of metal sticking out. DMSO on it would be Ok but bute would be better. Concerning does it need draining, probably not but that is really a decision that needs to be made by someone who is looking at the horse. DrO |
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Posted on Friday, Jun 8, 2001 - 11:36 am: Thank You DrO,I did give him bute the morning after the Show. I'll check into the trailers some more. Thanks again! |
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Posted on Friday, Jun 8, 2001 - 12:45 pm: Monika, my daughter had a two-horse slant, stock-type trailer (nice that it wasn't enclosed because we are in Arizona) and it had a tack/dressing room that was fairly good sized. Her mare hated straight load trailers but hopped right in to the slant load. So you may be able find something that will suit both you and your horse. |
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