Trailers, horses and shows [Archive]

Old Equine Lady

Jan. 29, 2009, 11:29 PM

Jaegermonster

Jan. 29, 2009, 11:32 PM

If I don't have a stall, my mare ties so I tie her to the trailer with a bucket of water and a full hay net. I do check on her every 20 minutes or so, but have never had a problem. I wouldn't do this with one that is an iffy tyer though.

When she was a baby I would usually just leave her on the trailer with hay and water until she got used to the whole idea then we started the tying. Although I didn't do that in the warmer months.

i think it's a matter of personal preference, how well your horse ties and how calm and quiet it stays at new places etc, how safe an environment you're in etc. For example, I would leave the mare on the trailer if the parking area were not secure enough from a nearby roadway or unauthorized persons and stuff like that.

Seven-up

Jan. 30, 2009, 12:17 AM

Stall.

The last time I tied a horse to a trailer at a show was probably 20 years ago. Ignoring the fact that my horse broke her lead rope and I found her calmly grazing about 20 feet from the rest of the group, I don't like the idea that my horse can't lie down and take a nap if they want. Then there's the issue of making sure they have water, are in the shade, etc. I think it's great to have a horse that would quietly stand all day tied to a trailer, but I wouldn't do it unless it was an emergency situation. Like, I evacuated because of a fire and the only place to go was a parking lot or something.

I can't imagine leaving a horse on the trailer. Are we talking box stalls? I can see that, maybe, but not in a slant load or the like. In my area, it's just too hot. It would be like leaving a baby or a dog in a car in the summer. It's just not done around here, and if you did, you wouldn't have a live horse for long.

I hardly ever go to one day shows anyway, so there's no other alternative to a stall.

jenm

Jan. 30, 2009, 12:51 AM

If the show offers stalls, I will gladly sign up for one. If not, then my girl is tied to the trailer with all the hay she can eat, water and many visits from me with carrots and apples.

I trained my horse gradually, however since she's a nervous nellie. But I do feel much better knowing I can leave her at the trailer by herself without having to worry about her.

I would never leave my horse in the trailer.

Equino

Jan. 30, 2009, 12:56 AM

I'm lucky-I show 1st thing at the one days. Well, I show in the A/A's which are the 2nd division of the day around here. Normally, I get there around 7am, and school, get horse cooled down, watered, cleaned up and back on the trailer while I get my entries set up, change and check out the courses. By then, it's time to mount back up. My horse rarely is on the trailer more than 2 hours. I keep the side doors open and a hay net in front of her, and she just hangs out. Once she is out to show, she stays out. If there's a long wait until the U/S, I get off, loosen her girth and find someplace comfortable to park.

At the bigger "A" show, I get a stall and she'll be in her stall when we're not showing.

As a kid, we would tie all the horses to the trailer. Since I have a two-horse and there's lots of ventilation, I prefer my horses stand on the trailer if they are tied up. Especially if unsupervised 100%. With the ramp up, of course.

JRG

Jan. 30, 2009, 06:32 AM

It depends on the timing of the classes and the horse for me.

I own my own trailer so if there is limited time between classes, I will hold my current horse.

If I have a long time over an hour between warm ups, I will untack and put back on the trailer so he can eat and drink.

In the past, when I didn't own my own trailer, I would get a stall. If I couldn't get a stall and the horse couldn't get back on the trailer for one reason or another I would hold on to the horse....back in my eq./jumper days. If I was at the trailer and the horse was a calm sort, I could tie to the trailer. I have never liked the idea of leaving a horse tied to the trailer and leaving the area. JMPO.

cosmos mom

Jan. 30, 2009, 07:31 AM

It depends on the horse and the weather. If the horse is happily tied to the side of the trailer with supervision, they are not in the heat of the day and bugs are not dive-bombing them, I prefer this. They can look around and the have more room to move their hind quarters about. If the horse can't be trusted to tie, then this is not a good option. If it is too hot or buggy I would leave them on the trailer.

jetandmegs4

Jan. 30, 2009, 07:41 AM

Willie, the horse I show primarily, ties very well. I tie a hay net to the side of the trailer (and make sure it's high up enough so he can't get his feet caught). I've seen too many get legs caught in hay nets. We keep an eye on him, and if we have to leave the trailer only leave for a few minutes, and with him in eyesight. I don't leave water next to him because I find he spills it. Instead, I just keep offering him it throughout the day. I always tries to make sure the person that brings us tries to put the trailer in the shade. If it's a hot day and I have a while I'll sponge him or hose him off if I think he has enough time to dry before a class.

Swale01

Jan. 30, 2009, 09:04 AM

I try to use a stall, even for a one day show - but my BO will use her trailer (often even when a stall is an option) and her mare will stand very happily and contentedly in the trailer for a few hours as long as she has hay and water. We'll leave the walk-through doors open for ventilation on a nice day, and the horse is so comfortable that she'll snooze...

goeslikestink

Jan. 30, 2009, 09:05 AM

I have a question, what do you do at shows with your horse while waiting awhile for your class? Do you leave the horse on the trailer? Do you hold the horse? Do you tie your horse to the trailer?

This has come up in different situations. One trainer had us hold the horses for hours, one had us tie the horses to the trailers and appoint a watcher. One hated to see horses tied and would have us leave the horse on the trailer until it was time to get ready.

What do you think is best and why?

if i am in my trialer if not raining horse is out tied up to the back on bit of baling twine to the rear ramp or side of trialer with full haynet as i alway carry spare haynets so i can chnage them and offer the horse more if nessecary and bucket of water

if on a lorry then again if riaining they are inside if not outside tied up the same as witha trialer

if i go to get something to eat i lock up all my equipement and have the horses tied to trailer or inside but usually with a groom in attendance i never actully go off and leave my horses alone someone is always there

when i am on my own as nno help then its a packed lunch and flask of coffee if trialer taken or if lorry then food and drinks in the cupbaords as i have a cooker

deltawave

Jan. 30, 2009, 09:37 AM

Tie them to the trailer with a stretchy, 5-foot-long tie that allows them to just put their head down without excess slack. They have a secure hay bag and a water bucket, and are good about just hanging out.

Obviously this isn't the "only way" or the "best way" for everyone, but my horses don't like standing on the trailer (they paw) and seem happier just tied up outside. Obviously with a young one that's not used to the routine I watch them very closely, but this has worked for every horse I've ever had. I do put fly sheets on them if it's buggy, and try to find shade if it's really hot, but we only very rarely have weather here that's truly intolerably hot, and when it is they're STILL happier "out" than "in".

pintopiaffe

Jan. 30, 2009, 09:39 AM

I have a stallion, and I show alone, so he lives in his 'box stall on wheels.' He has hay or beep in front of him, water, etc., and if he's going to be on board any length of time, does not have a center divider in, so he can move around quite a bit. I bed deeply so he is comfortable urinating if he needs to. I pick out the trailer often as he has white stockings. He can see out all around, and I find that leaving him on board for at least 1/2 hour when we arrive somewhere, letting him look around, leaves him quite relaxed vs. unloading immediately, even if we hand walk. (this worked even better when I had a 3/4 size trailer w/ manger and full doors--could open the manger doors and he could stick his head out and look around, but could not get out. Never even had to whinny when he unloaded back then... )

I also tack him up on board. Then I get ready, then we step off the trailer and I get on.

Since this works SO WELL for him, I've started doing it with other horses.

I do have a custom stock-combo trailer, so it is more conducive to this setup. The trailer is 8 x 12, the stallion is 14.3. So literally, he could live on it if he needed to, quite comfortably.

If I am volunteering (scribing, ring steward) for 1/2 the day, we get a stall. Honestly, I don't like having a stall as much as our 'routine'.

I don't like tying and leaving. It's done all the time at local round-and-round shows, and while it's a skill I think the horses *should* have, but it's not MY tied horse that makes me nervous, it's when something happens--another loose horse or something--can I get back to mine in time? Plus they're out in the sun and get burned... lots of reasons I'm not fond. Not an option with the big guy anyway. ;)

BEARCAT

Jan. 30, 2009, 10:30 AM

They are tied to the trailer, with hay and water and usually a wheel guard over the trailer tires. I keep an eye on them as much as possible.
Of course, I also do CTRs, so mine have spent many nights tied to the trailer - and yes, you tie long enough in that case so that they can lay down, but not so long that they can put a leg over.
Different strokes for different folks... but I have to say that even my confirmed puller that broke countless halters and lead ropes did, after some re-training, master that skill and spent many a night peacefully tied to the trailer. He is the one I used to have to hold 100% of the times at shows, and since I was usually by myself, going to the bathroom was not an easy task...

Edited to add photo:
http://pic20.picturetrail.com/VOL176/4853602/20795519/353091419.jpg

This is what my set up usually looks like (minus the bucket on the ground of course - that was his mash and I was right there to take it away when done)

jn4jenny

Jan. 30, 2009, 10:51 AM

What a timely thread for me. I just bought my first trailer and am planning to do some local horse trials this spring--sites where there is limited stall access, if any.

My tentative plan is to use The Clip to tie the horse to the outside of the trailer:
http://www.theclip.info/

Although I use a hay net inside the trailer, when he's tied outside, we'll go with a hay bag to try and minimize potential hazards.

I would never leave him tied unattended. I am too paranoid for that.

Daatje

Jan. 30, 2009, 10:53 AM

Well, it depends.

If I'm going to be away from the trailer......I'll leave her on. (she likes to untie knots)

If I'm hanging around the trailer......I'll tie her, and re-tie her......and re-tie her...... :)

If it's raining (or thundering as it was).....I'll leave her on.

If I'm at a multi-day show.....I get a stall.

She's basically a peach no matter where I put her. She's easy that way. :)

deltawave

Jan. 30, 2009, 10:56 AM

Get a cross tie and clip it. No knots to untie! (My old TB mare would sometimes untie herself and have a little wander, no biggie, just walked around visiting, LOL.)

jn4jenny

Jan. 30, 2009, 10:58 AM

Get a cross tie and clip it. No knots to untie! (My old TB mare would sometimes untie herself and have a little wander, no biggie, just walked around visiting, LOL.)

Mine wouldn't think to untie himself, but if he did manage to get untied (say from a spook), I guarantee that he'd take himself for a good trot around the grounds. :lol: That's a clever idea about the crosstie, though.

Sithly

Jan. 30, 2009, 11:04 AM

Edited to add photo:
http://pic20.picturetrail.com/VOL176/4853602/20795519/353091419.jpg

This is what my set up usually looks like (minus the bucket on the ground of course - that was his mash and I was right there to take it away when done)

That's cool. I like your wheel guard. Good idea.

I tie mine to the trailer with one of these (http://theclip.info/) with a quick release knot about 12-18" below the clip. There's room for some give, but not enough for them to get in trouble if they pull the rope through. This has saved many a tie ring from popping off when a horse pulls.

I give them a hay net if they're going to be there for a while. Sometimes I hand graze them if I'm not busy.

I don't usually get a stall because I'm too cheap to spend the extra $40 or so. Then again, I'm not doing multi-day shows, either.

mhtokay

Jan. 30, 2009, 11:04 AM

I generally leave mine on the trailer. It's roomy, shady and I have fans in there. I also have insulation under the roof which helps keep it cooler. I can hook a small bucket of water next to the hay manger.

I will tie outside, if I'm around, but I often don't trust them to NOT scratch my nice trailer!

I'll get a stall if I'm staying over night, or it was a real long haul for one day, but I tell you it's sure nice not having to unpack and pack the trailer when I almost always by myself.

theoldgreymare

Jan. 30, 2009, 01:18 PM

Usually, I leave them on the trailer with the fans running (if hot) and hay. I usually don't get stalls for one day shows. I don't tie to the side of the trailer unless we are tacking up.

rainechyldes

Jan. 30, 2009, 01:23 PM

It depends on the horse really.
I never leave mine on the trailer however.
they are either stalled, if I'm there for an entire weekend, if I'm trailering in just for one day, they'll be tied to the trailer mostly. Usually we end up sitting in lawn chairs at the trailer anyhow, so watching them isn't a problem, as due to the layouts at most the shows around here, you can easily see the rings to watch the classes while sitting at the trailer.

I have one horse who ties well, but he's a pocket pony, and is much happier standing beside you snoring with his head on your should while you are sitting watching/ so he usually gets held.

This is a horse who falls alseep between classes even while you are sitting on him - he likes to conserve energy!:)

As for water. I put eyebolts through the trailer wall at 4 stations, front and back of the trailer both sides. Then using a clip to attach a water bucket. Works great. they can't tip it over, and it's right there out of the way.

Diamondindykin

Jan. 30, 2009, 01:33 PM

At about half of my shows I usually have a stall. For the ones that I don't, I just tie my reining gelding to the trailer with a bucket of water and his hay bag. I don't go very far away though and always try to keep an eye on him. I don't ever think that he has pulled back in his life but there is always a first time. I am also very aware of horse theft at shows and I do worry about that too. It seems like everyone of my shows are during a heatwave so putting him in the trailer isn't appropriate.

Seven-up

Jan. 30, 2009, 01:54 PM

Toomanycats

Jan. 30, 2009, 03:12 PM

I have a slant and one of the reasons I bought it is the horses love to put their heads out the dropdown windows and just hang out. My horse does not tie well, and even if she did, I would never leave her unattended tied to a trailer - you never know what can happen. She's safer in the trailer and she can't go anywhere. My trailer is insulated and is actually cooler inside than the temperatures outside, maybe only marginally, but in the middle of summer in humid Maryland (think Florida heat and humidity on occasion), a few degrees cooler is better than nothing. When the sun is directly overhead and you're parked in the middle of some field with no trees anywhere, the only way to get the horses out of the sun is to put them in the trailer. Sure they sweat on the trailer if it's that hot out, but it would be worse if they were outside in the sun IMO. There's ventilation - windows, back doors open - so no one is going to cook. Sure they will sweat, but they're going to do that outside of the trailer, too.

Most times, my horse spends more time traveling to the events than she does standing on the trailer in between my ride times, so the size of the stall in the trailer really isn't relevant. If she can travel in it, she can stand in it. But that's one of the beautiful things about eventing - not having to stand around all day long waiting to ride.:)

Seven-up

Jan. 30, 2009, 05:45 PM

Toomanycats,

you reminded me of something I'd noticed before. Seems like what you do with your horse at a show has a lot to do with what discipline you ride. For instance, many western riders don't give a second thought to leaving your horse tied to a trailer all day, whereas a lot of h/j people wouldn't dream of doing that.

I wonder if that has more to do with the fact that h/j folks have multi-day shows, so a stall is a necessity, or do different disciplines ingrain different personal interpretations of horsemanship in us? (Not trying to open up a can here! I'm not insinuating anything. For instance, I could say that I think my horse is most comfortable in a stall, or you could say that I baby my horse too much by thinking that.) I know of h/j people who leave horses tied in their stalls. In that case, the only difference between a stall and a trailer is the stall has soft bedding, and maybe more shade.

Or do different events have different stabling options? If the venue doesn't provide stalls, it would stand to reason that people would tie to the trailer. :winkgrin:

So, not to hijack, but what discipline does everyone participate in? I'm not interested in a 'who's better than who' freak-out, I'm interested in a rational discussion comparing what people do based on their discipline to see if there's really a difference, or if it's all in my head.

asterix

Jan. 30, 2009, 05:46 PM

I'm with toomanycats -- I event, so typically I have only 2 hours at MOST between cooling out from one phase and getting tacked for the next. If someone will be at the trailer, I tie to the side, with hay, etc. If I have to leave I will put them back on -- they are cooler on with doors/windows open then out in the sun, and typically just fall asleep according to my trailer-neighbors.

I'm not talking 6 hours, more like an hour here or there. They don't seem stressed by this at all...

CJBean

Jan. 30, 2009, 05:59 PM

To me the most fun of showing horses is going to one day shows and having horses tied to the trailer. But that is because I usually meet up with friends and we all park next to each other. Its like a party:)

We also arrive very early to get the best parking spots AKA shade and best view of the arena etc.

We set up shop by putting up our Easy Ups for ourselves and put hay nets in front of each horse and we are good to go. In regards to water we fill buckets for each horse but usually we don't have it sitting within horses reach. Usually every half hour to hour we will put water buckets in front of the horse to see if they will drink, if not we take it away and then check later to see if they want do drink. Mostly so we don't end up with horses knocking over their water etc.

But we don't leave the horses unattended very long if at all. There is usually one of us around to keep an eye on the tied horses.

We of course stall our horses if its a multi day show or if the weather is just no cooperating that day. But I just like to save my money and tie to the trailer whenever possible.

JRG

Jan. 30, 2009, 09:00 PM

So for those of you who leave them on the trailer, are they in box stalls? The normal space in a slant/straight load type trailer seems like it would be awfully cramped to me.

I'm kind of jealous that so many of you can leave a horse on a trailer without cooking it. Here, in the summer, we try to avoid even hauling in the middle of the day. If you have to do it, by the time they get off, they're a sweaty mess. Even with windows open and the best ventilation available.

In fairness, I live in the Northeast so it gets hot but I have been to hotter places, but the inside of a trailer with all the doors and windows open is cooler then leaving a dark bay horse (any horse really) out in the sun. My horse is definately spoiled. My current trailer is massive for my horse. It was purchased when I had a much larger horse. 3-load slant. So when I trailer he is in the first two stalls, when I get to the show, I swing open the gate and it is a large box stall. I am looking for a smaller one, like a 2-horse slant.

shawneeAcres

Jan. 30, 2009, 09:07 PM

My horses stand tied to the trailer, I try and park in the shade if hot. My trailer has special places to hang water buckets, pretty cool actually, and they get hay. I insist that a horse have the patience to tie for relatively long periods of time. We are usually sitting there at the trailer, but I don't hesistate to go do things, they aren't going anywhere as they are used to it. I've had a few act up, but they learn pretty quick. At home my horses get tied up for a couple of hours a day when they are learning, usually in the stall but sometimes tied to the trailer at home. Right now my coming two year old colt is learning the ropes as he gets tied every afternnon in the barn in his stall for a few hours while I do chores. He was MAD the first few days, pawed, kicked and generally threw a fit! I jsut let him throw it, and by the third day he was standing, with one hind foot cocked up and dozing! When I first tie him he might throw a TEENY fit for a minute or two, but then he relaxs and takes a nap!

mommy peanut

Jan. 30, 2009, 09:26 PM

Well since our shows consist of 2 days or more, we get stalls. We do occassionaly go to one day schooling shows. Those are usually a couple hours away(at least) so we still get stalls at those shows. Even if we were to go somewhere without stalls, we(those w/ trailers) have a "no tying" rule for anyone who hauls in our trailers(all our horses do tie well). We(trailer owners) paid way too much money for our trailers to have someone's horse spook & damage it. I've also seen some NASTY accidents due to horses being left tied to trailers. So it's either hold your horse or put them in the trailer.

enjoytheride

Jan. 30, 2009, 10:43 PM

If a show consists of us coming in the night before I get a stall. Always. If the show is a one day show I would get a stall if one was offered.

Otherwise my horse stands tied outside the trailer with hay and a bucket of water. Last summer she stood 8 hours tied to the trailer like a good horse and slept the whole time.

My gelding was a jerk and would pull back as soon as you left so I had to stay near him or held him. Since him I will require that all future horses stand tied to trailers!

Old Equine Lady

Jan. 30, 2009, 11:30 PM

Interesting answers. I prefer to leave my horse on the trailer when we can't get stalls for whatever reason. Even when it is really hot, the trailer is cooler with the drop down windows and shade.

At one show, several were tied and several ended up becoming untied. It really got crazy with 4 or 5 horses running around a show. I was glad mine was on the trailer, had just put him on about five minutes before the great escape!

Sithly

Jan. 31, 2009, 12:42 AM

So, not to hijack, but what discipline does everyone participate in? I'm not interested in a 'who's better than who' freak-out, I'm interested in a rational discussion comparing what people do based on their discipline to see if there's really a difference, or if it's all in my head.

Interesting question. I ride western and english, and do mostly schooling/novice shows in both (gotta love those $2 per class entry fees).

In the last couple of years, I've only once seen a western horse get loose at a show. At the english shows, there is usually at least one per day. :lol: Not sure where the difference originates, exactly. Most of the english riders I know are pretty good horsemen.

IIIBarsV

Jan. 31, 2009, 01:02 AM

Hmm, I've noticed the discipline-related differences. To some english riders up here, it's almost a sin to tie the horse to the trailer. Actually, many say the horse doesn't know HOW to tie, period. Yikes. As you can imagine, the ground manners of these horses are poopie. Lots of fuzzy halters everywhere.

Mine... well, it depends on the length of the show (one day, two days, etc), and the horse I've got.

One day shows, we tie up to the trailer, hang water buckets and either hay nets or throw the hay on the ground. The older "professional" horses are very safe and have never got their heads under the lead or stepped over it ever, in years of showing.

All of my horses except one are entirely safe to be tied at the trailer... the exception is my roan mare, who is very claustrophobic despite training (stems from previous owner). She would tolerate it, but was always jumpy about feeling her halter hit the water bucket, and would often set back. Of course, I don't want her damaging her neck with this, so I ended up buying a portable electric fence stall that runs on batteries for her.

Well, didn't she just LOVE it. So much more relaxed and happy enough in there to lie down and sleep. I used it at one one and multi-day shows. For over-nights where there are no stalls available and weather is supposed to be decent, I even bought two shade tents and set them up side by side in the electric fenced mini-paddock (goes up to 30 by 30 feet), like mini-run in sheds. Also worked great. We tie them down and stake them down safely, haven't had any problems yet. We even ended up turning out the two barrel horses together eventually, even though my sister's horse was scared to death of the fence at first. lol

However, one problem with the portable paddock- if it's not turned on, they figure it out real quick and start leaning over it to eat grass. Then my sister's WP mare crashed down one post while I wasn't around (sis left it off), so now I've got to get it fixed. >_<

For overnight shows in bad weather or Spring/Fall, we always get stalls. If it's too cold out for us to camp out, it's too cold out for them to be in the elements.