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I think this is a good topic, Louisa - the only really unsafe
behavior I've seen at shows has been in the trailer parking areas.
For day shows, that's also the "saddling enclosure" for each
trailer-load as well.
A couple of subtopics for this are:
1. On horseback, what should your gait through this area be?
I've seen people actually gallop through! My trainer
ended up putting "speed bumps" out - this was between
trailers and cars where there was not more than about
8 feet clearance, people and horses moving through, etc.
(speed bumps = mounting block, tack trunk, whatever,
to make them think about slowing down to get around).
In general, because there is so much activity in that
area, most people keep to a walk. Only if a person
is about to miss a class do you see them trot. But
cantering and galloping?! That's an accident on-the-hoof...
2. Should you leave your horse tied to the trailer? At all?
[Un]supervised?
I've seen horses' legs and necks in grave danger because
they got caught up in the lead line and fell - their limbs
were up in the air so they couldn't get up or get loose.
The only solution was to cut them out with a knife, and
that wasn't too healthy in one case - the horse was really
thrashing.
When I did a lot of organized trail-riding, everyone tied
their horse to the trailer; but at a hunter show, it's
rare to ever see it done.
I don't know about leaving trailer ramps down; but I have asked
people (or stewards to ask people) to move from entrances or from
too close to the trailer. I ask nicely and they have moved. If they
don't, most shows have tractors that can pull quite a lot...;-)
Besides, you start seeing these same people at all these shows,
and you want to keep on as friendly terms as possible! So should
they!!
-julie
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The new bungie ties work great for tieing to a trailer. I wish
I had invented that. I can't see a way the critter can get tangled
in them (but ya never know) :-)
We never leave our kids unattended. They tie great to a trailer.
Some folks can put there kids inside the triler, but ours hate it.
(they kick and fuss) tied out side they just stand there..they dont
even need food. but we never leave them alone!
I see alot of folks who do leaves there's .. I have not seen an
accident yet, but I would hate to come back to my trailer and find
my horse hanging or upset.
Lou
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| My thoughts on safety....
Tieing to the trailer....
Luckly all my horses tie well, and they get out a lot, so I tend to
tie 'em and leave 'em. I think where people have trouble is when they
tie too long, don't leave enough hay or water, tie too close to other
horses - especially ones who may fight. I firmly pratice tieing
the horses short and leaving a ucket of water, and a large hay net.
opps, in comes a customer.....more thoughts later.....
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| I tie to the trailer at organized rides, as well, but I do not ever
leave her unattended. She ties well, and behaves herself, but you
can never be sure of the horse tied to the trailer next to you. I've
had people unload beside me, then tie their horse to on side of their
trailer next to my horse without a word, no "does she kick?", nothing.
Pretty risky, if you ask me. My mare does not kick, but how do they
know that without asking?
And even though I don't leave her unattended, I tie her only with the
break away trailer ties, just in case.
When I need to leave the trailer area, she either goes with me or back
into the trailer. She's a very easy loader and I feel safer with her
in there than tied to the side. If it's too hot out for her to stand
inside, then she tags along on the lead line.
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