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Re: [RC] [Guest] Trailer ramps - superpatHi Jan, I have never had a ramp. Let me say that first off. But I have a couple of friends who do and from seeing theirs, I would never choose to have one. First off, I think they increase the chance for a mishap. I have seen horses step off of the side before they are all the way down and that could be a wreck or at least a minor injury. If you trailer out to trails, it is harder to find a good pull off place that is level enough to accommodate a ramp. Someone mentioned the scenario where your trailer ends up in a ditch and you cannot let the ramp down enough to get the horse out. I had not thought of that but what a terrible thing that would be not to be able to let your horse out because you could not get the ramp down. And those ramps are HEAVY. I would not want to have to deal with lifting it by myself and even with the power or spring assist, there is something else to go wrong or need repair. No thanks. I have a 3 horse slant load with step up ramp. I have had two foals who had absolutely no problem hopping into the trailer. I used to allow my horses to turn around to head out because they could see and just hop off. But I have started to require them all to back out instead and here is the reasoning; if I ever have to hitch a ride (perhaps during a endurance ride, for instance) and the trailer happens to be an older two horse straight load, I want them to be familiar with backing out since they cannot turn around. I also think it is safer even in a slant load because there is the possibility that they could be in a smaller trailer or even a straight load and because of habit, might attempt to turn around and panic when they get wedged a bit. So what would the person do who never took the time to teach her horses to load and unload on a step up? If they need to be picked up after being pulled while out on trail they need to know how to load in just about anything. Someone mentioned a horse trying to back out and getting frightened and throwing their head up and banging it on the top of the doorway. I had this happen when I was trying to train one of my horses to back out after she had learned to turn around. She really banged her head and it scared her and me. It was pointed out to me that had I not attempted to hold her head down by pulling on the lead rope, she would not have lifted her head that high....and my friend was right. Now, I release the rope and the horse has never raised her head that high again.( They pull against pressure, so release the pressure). Anyway, good luck with whatever you end up getting. I suppose there are pros and cons to just about any choice. Pat ----- Original Message ----- From: "Ridecamp Guest" <ridecamp-moderator@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> To: <guest@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> Sent: Thursday, January 09, 2003 8:58 AM Subject: [RC] [Guest] Trailer ramps Jan Mutchler jmutchler@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Our Sundowner trailer is jacked up an additional 3 inches. There wasn't a problem unloading my tall Anglo from this trailer, but I now have a shorter horse and I feel that the step would be too high for him. Have any of you used a ramp or had one added to your trailer? How do you like the ramp, does it hold up well or get bent in time with horses walking on it? Is it slippery when wet? Would appreciate any comments. Jan Mutchler Colorado =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Ridecamp is a service of Endurance Net, http://www.endurance.net. Information, Policy, Disclaimer: http://www.endurance.net/Ridecamp Subscribe/Unsubscribe http://www.endurance.net/ridecamp/logon.asp Ride Long and Ride Safe!! =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Ridecamp is a service of Endurance Net, http://www.endurance.net. Information, Policy, Disclaimer: http://www.endurance.net/Ridecamp Subscribe/Unsubscribe http://www.endurance.net/ridecamp/logon.asp Ride Long and Ride Safe!! =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
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