|"I have
plastic to put in the air slots but I haven't used them for
two reasons: they rattle and increase the noise; I like to have as
much ventilation as possible. On the other hand, I would like a system
to have shavings or something to soak up the urine. "
The horses
spill hay and it works pretty good sopping up liquids. A problem
with rubber mats is dry rot that is not noticed until it is too late and a leg
goes thru the floor. yes there are stories about that.. not me
personally.
When I was
transporting the 1100 miles, I was not competing on arrival. There have
been some studies about the horses adjusting after trailering. The longest
I have trailered and competed after was 6 hrs. There are a LOT of
variables, especially the weather that contribute to the welfare of the
horse. The filly that was 3 months old for her first 1100 mile
trailer ride loads herself now at age 4. Have a 7 yo gelding who was
hardly trailered and is not a good loader but improving. He doesn't get his
grain until he gets in... he is down to one attempt now instead of 3. He
unfortunately spent 20 hrs in the stock trailer while I waited for a tire store
to open to get a dully blow out fixed. I just let him have all
the trailer exept where I had the clean bale of hay. He was left untied
but retied for the rest of the trip which was only about 2 hrs. He was a
bit antsy when I saddled him went riding. He wouldn't stand for mounting
so lunged him and then he stood. Lunging on lunge line is a good skill to
have as one can lunge a horse in the rest area parking lot. Many come to
visit and see a horse for the first time in their lives.
Mary Ann
ps OK, guess I
live in the rest areas when I go traveling..lol
