Our mare pees in the trailer just about every time we trailer out, even on short trips. We always lift the mats and rinse but am getting tired of that and looking for a more permanent solution. We have put sawdust down to soak it up (on top of mat) but have lately been using no bedding at all in hopes she wouldn;t want to splatter all over herself.
The mats are very heavy, took them out and cleaned them off. Thinking of putting a layer of plastic down under the mats, then taping over the open crack down the center with a maybe waterproof tape. There are two mats side by side one on the right and one on the left. Anyone have any ideas, brand of tape or other advice? thanks so much!
We took our mats out, cleaned the bords really well, then used thompsons wood sealer on the boards. Of course, we still scoop and hose out the trailer after every use, but we at least know that the wood has some protection from urine and feces.
The fact is, almost every horse I've been around likes to poop the minute they get in the trailer. Our trainer says it probably has to do with nerves (trailer=trip to someplace other than home!). Heck, if a horse starts to colic, one of our BO's remedies is to load them into a trailer to trigger a BM!
I know you stated your horse pees, but maybe that's her nervous response. I have no idea if that's something that can be trained. Posted via Mobile Device
Do you have wooden floors in the trailer? If so, for starters I suggest you put a sealant on them if you have not already done so. The purpose is to stop liquids from soaking into the wood and rotting it. I've used Thomson Water Sealant on mine -- it's just brushed on and left to dry. I would avoid the plastic sheet idea as it is more likely to hold moisture in preventing the floor from drying. Taping the seam or crack could be done using good old duct tape but it is going to wear out at some point. I would also return to using shavings to help with the urine absorption. I've used it quite successfully in my trailer and it does minimize clean up later. With the seam taped and the shavings in place you might get away with it. In the end, if you mare has to pee, she has to pee and such is a day in the life of a horse owner.
I have this same issue with one of my mares. And its usually on the way back from somewhere. I can understand your frustration, because I use my trailer 2-3 times a week. Pulling those mats out is difficult. Mine are very heavy and awkward. I spray mywiid down with water sealing spray paint that way I know when there are worn spots. Aalso, ebay has mat pullers, they make it easier to drag them.
Never thought of the Thompson's water sealer. Along those lines, would a spray on liner they put in the back of pick up trucks work? Posted via Mobile Device
Kelli, I like that idea! Something to look into for sure. My boyfriend and I have talked about using undercoating for trucks on it under the mats. My problem is when it runs down along the sides and under the welds, I worry about ut rusting. After I use it on Monday I have to clean it. Which means pull the mats out and drive up to the car wash half mile away to pressure wash it. I keep a can of the paint I use on hand, and fill in the empty spots. That doesn't do anything for the sides though. This is such an issue with a steel trailer. Posted via Mobile Device
Since that liner is kind of rubbery, I wonder if you could spray it on a little thicker and possibly eliminate the need for the mats, then you just have to hose it out.
Same here, I'd bed the trailer pretty heavily in the spot where she pees so that it'll absorb all the pee since shavings are waaaay cheaper than a new floor or fixing rust!
Or maybe get woody pet? Or any of those pellets at TSC that absorb and swell up once the horse pees. That's personally the way I'd go rather then using the bedding. Although, the pellets can become quite expensive. Posted via Mobile Device
At least you don't have a gelding with a white tail who enjoys sitting on the butt bar and pooping mid-trailer trip... leaving you with a very filthy hind-end and tail to clean, haha. *cough*Major*cough*
Thank you all so very much for the great idea's. Both the wood sealer and the under coating are worth looking into, we just had our pickup bed lined with that coating, I just wonder if it could go on a wood floor even if the boards aren;t butted up tight against each other. Actually lately we have been scooping the piles before we take them out so they don't step in it and spread it all over.
Hey she didn't pee yesterday! woo hoo.. my hubby also came up with a mat over the current mats that would cover the two separate ones where to pee flows through to the floor.
and she does pee in the barn as well....thanks again to all of you and your input...happy trailering!
oh and the mat over a mat was an idea, not something we did..just to clarify
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