EquiSpirit Horse Trailers Invests Into New Plant In North Carolina
Southern Pines, NC (June 24th, 2009). Tom and Neva Scheve, authors of horse trailer books, safety articles, and designers and developers of the popular safety inspired EquiSpirit line of horse trailers, have fulfilled a life long dream of bringing EquiSpirit’s manufacturing home to North Carolina. While EquiSpirit’s corporate and sales offices have been in North Carolina since 1996, all manufacturing has been in Central Wisconsin.
With the investment of Brad and Bartley Heath, owners of Double D Trailers Manufacturing and Premier Trailer, a new 50,000 square foot facility has been implemented in Kinston, North Carolina, that will house EquiSpirit production. “The new facility has given us more room to expand research and development so as to continue our commitment to improving horse trailer safety,” says Tom Scheve. “In an industry where little or no R&D is being done, Neva and I, along with the Heaths, feel strongly about the quest to reduce the risks of trailering horses. This new facility has been outfitted with the modern technology and equipment needed to begin the new era of EquiSpirits and to hopefully develop new innovation for the trailer industry in general.”
Over the years, the Scheves have introduced a number of designs into the horse trailer market that have become standards. One such model line was the first standard warm blood size trailer in 1988 called EquiSport – a straight load design that went to a wider axle and interior width, along with 7’8” height, and 11’ stall. In 1998, EquiSpirit was first to offer a 3 horse straight/diagonal trailer as a standard model called the SafeLoad to compete against the inherent flaws of stacking horses in slant load trailers. Two new models will be added to EquiSpirit’s line-up by the end of the year.
The Heaths, who started production of their Double D line in 1998, have had similar philosophies with the Scheves on how to market their products. Both had adopted the unique policy of selling direct (no dealers) since their inception. “Allowing customers to have a direct line to the company not only allows for superior service but provides a constant stream of feed back to improve safety,” says Neva, who has done most of the designing for EquiSpirit. “Brad and Bartley Heath know the value of direct selling, having established the same program with their Double D line.
The Heath’s and Scheves have also entwined a policy of being more “green” in their approach to manufacturing. “We are able to do this in many areas with our new plant,” says Bartley Heath. “To mention few, we have reduced and will eventually eliminate paints. We’re moving more and more away from welding by utilizing today’s superior adhesives and tapes, and we’re being more selective in choosing materials, making sure they are environmentally friendly.”
The timing is good, said the Scheves, stating that the new changes and innovations are being launched on the 2010 EquiSpirits and will be rolling out of production by the end of this month. To their credit, the Scheves and Heaths have also recently developed and currently manufacture EquiBreeze, a full line of stock combo trailers designed specifically for transporting horses safely. Many of the standard safety features on EquiSpirits have been installed in the EquiBreeze in order to offer a trailer that is strong, safe, and affordable.
For more information, contact Tom Scheve at tom@equispirit.com or Brad Heath at brad@doubledtrailers.com.
The Scheves are responsible for three books on horse trailering, including the Complete Guide To Buying, Maintaining, and Servicing A Horse Trailer. They write numerous articles and give national clinics that promote horse trailer safety, and have owned and developed EquiSpirit Horse Trailers. The Heaths have created the successful Double D full line of horse Trailers that they have sold world wide.
Friday, June 26, 2009
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
How to Stop your Horse Trailer in an Emergency
How to Stop Your Horse Trailer in an Emergency
Probably the worst nightmare you could ever imagine would be having your horse trailer come unhitched from your vehicle. I know it’s an awful thought, but unfortunately, it can and does happen.
That’s why it’s so important to check the emergency breakaway system on your rig. When you service your trailer each year, this should be part of the checkup.
The emergency breakaway system consists of a breakaway brake (located on the coupler of the horse trailer), a battery, a removable pin, and a cable attached to the pin.
And how does this all work?
When you hook up, connect the emergency breakaway cable to the permanent part of the hitch on your vehicle. Don’t connect it to the removable ball mount.
Now, let’s say the unthinkable happens and your trailer pops off the hitch or the whole ball mount comes out (people have been known to forget to put the pin in.)
As the trailer and tow vehicle separate, the emergency breakaway cable is stretched to its limit and the removable pin pops out. This activates the trailer’s brakes and stops the trailer.
An important player in the breakaway system is the battery. You should test it regularly to be sure it is fully charged. Newer horse trailers often come equipped with a rechargeable battery.
Keep you and your horses safe on the road. Make sure your emergency breakaway system works.
Answer to last week’s trivia question:
So, did you guess which horse was the only one to be disqualified after winning the Kentucky Derby?
If you guessed Dancer’s Image, you were right! Congratulations!
Probably the worst nightmare you could ever imagine would be having your horse trailer come unhitched from your vehicle. I know it’s an awful thought, but unfortunately, it can and does happen.
That’s why it’s so important to check the emergency breakaway system on your rig. When you service your trailer each year, this should be part of the checkup.
The emergency breakaway system consists of a breakaway brake (located on the coupler of the horse trailer), a battery, a removable pin, and a cable attached to the pin.
And how does this all work?
When you hook up, connect the emergency breakaway cable to the permanent part of the hitch on your vehicle. Don’t connect it to the removable ball mount.
Now, let’s say the unthinkable happens and your trailer pops off the hitch or the whole ball mount comes out (people have been known to forget to put the pin in.)
As the trailer and tow vehicle separate, the emergency breakaway cable is stretched to its limit and the removable pin pops out. This activates the trailer’s brakes and stops the trailer.
An important player in the breakaway system is the battery. You should test it regularly to be sure it is fully charged. Newer horse trailers often come equipped with a rechargeable battery.
Keep you and your horses safe on the road. Make sure your emergency breakaway system works.
Answer to last week’s trivia question:
So, did you guess which horse was the only one to be disqualified after winning the Kentucky Derby?
If you guessed Dancer’s Image, you were right! Congratulations!
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Co-Owning a Horse Trailer
Co-owning a Horse Trailer
Still pining away for that horse trailer? Convinced you’ll never be able to afford one now that the economy has taken a nosedive? Don’t despair, there’s still hope for you. Why not consider co-owning a horse trailer?
You’ve probably heard of people who’ve chipped in to buy and co-own a horse, thereby cutting ownership expenses in half. Well, the same type of arrangement is very doable with a horse trailer.
Like any big purchase, you need to do some homework first, so you won’t end up disappointed or worse. Equally important is the person you choose to co-own with. This person should have riding goals and desires similar to yours, which will make a joint purchase worthwhile for both of you. Before you begin shopping, both parties should hash out an agreement that spells out how you’ll share the trailer. Will you split the purchase price in half? Who will pay to register the trailer? How will annual maintenance costs be shared? and also put in writing how to fairly share the horse trailer.
I took a trip in a private charter plane recently and the pilot was explaining to me that the plane was his personal. He said the cost of the air plane was about $300,000, WOW! So I asked the pilot politely how did someone afford a $300,000 airplane? He said, he was actually one of five owners. They split the initial purchase and divided all of the maintenance cost. They also developed a calendar and it rotates every five weeks....
Still pining away for that horse trailer? Convinced you’ll never be able to afford one now that the economy has taken a nosedive? Don’t despair, there’s still hope for you. Why not consider co-owning a horse trailer?
You’ve probably heard of people who’ve chipped in to buy and co-own a horse, thereby cutting ownership expenses in half. Well, the same type of arrangement is very doable with a horse trailer.
Like any big purchase, you need to do some homework first, so you won’t end up disappointed or worse. Equally important is the person you choose to co-own with. This person should have riding goals and desires similar to yours, which will make a joint purchase worthwhile for both of you. Before you begin shopping, both parties should hash out an agreement that spells out how you’ll share the trailer. Will you split the purchase price in half? Who will pay to register the trailer? How will annual maintenance costs be shared? and also put in writing how to fairly share the horse trailer.
I took a trip in a private charter plane recently and the pilot was explaining to me that the plane was his personal. He said the cost of the air plane was about $300,000, WOW! So I asked the pilot politely how did someone afford a $300,000 airplane? He said, he was actually one of five owners. They split the initial purchase and divided all of the maintenance cost. They also developed a calendar and it rotates every five weeks....
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Horse Trivia....did you know?
Horse trivia…did you know?
· The average horse’s heart weighs around 9 – 10 lbs. However, two racehorses had hearts that exceeded the average. Phar Lap, the great New Zealand-bred runner, had a heart that weighed 14 lbs. and the last Thoroughbred to win the coveted Triple Crown, Secretariat, had a heart estimated to weigh 21 lbs.
· Horses produce approximately 10 gallons of saliva per day.
· Horses cannot breathe through their mouths.
· Horses have a prehensile upper lip, which means adapted for seizing, grasping, or taking hold of something.
· A mule is a cross between a male donkey (jack) and a female horse (mare.)
· A hinnie is a cross between a male horse (stallion) and a female donkey (jenny.)
· Horses can pass manure up to 14 times a day.
· Dancer’s Image is the only Thoroughbred to win the Kentucky Derby and then be disqualified.
· The horse that played “Mister Ed” on the popular television show was a palomino American Saddlebred gelding named Bamboo Harvester.
· The famous American thoroughbred, Seabiscuit, derived his name from his sire, Hard Tack. Hard Tack was named after the infamous food staple of the Civil War, hardtack - a dry, hard, biscuit.
· A very rare behavior seen in bands of broodmares is “foal-stealing.” A mare about to foal will “steal” another foal from a mare and immediately assume maternal duties. Once the thief mare gives birth, she rejects the stolen foal and unfortunately, the real mother doesn’t always accept her baby back. It’s theorized that hormones released just before birth make the nurturing need so strong in some mares that they can’t wait for their own foal to arrive.
· The average horse’s heart weighs around 9 – 10 lbs. However, two racehorses had hearts that exceeded the average. Phar Lap, the great New Zealand-bred runner, had a heart that weighed 14 lbs. and the last Thoroughbred to win the coveted Triple Crown, Secretariat, had a heart estimated to weigh 21 lbs.
· Horses produce approximately 10 gallons of saliva per day.
· Horses cannot breathe through their mouths.
· Horses have a prehensile upper lip, which means adapted for seizing, grasping, or taking hold of something.
· A mule is a cross between a male donkey (jack) and a female horse (mare.)
· A hinnie is a cross between a male horse (stallion) and a female donkey (jenny.)
· Horses can pass manure up to 14 times a day.
· Dancer’s Image is the only Thoroughbred to win the Kentucky Derby and then be disqualified.
· The horse that played “Mister Ed” on the popular television show was a palomino American Saddlebred gelding named Bamboo Harvester.
· The famous American thoroughbred, Seabiscuit, derived his name from his sire, Hard Tack. Hard Tack was named after the infamous food staple of the Civil War, hardtack - a dry, hard, biscuit.
· A very rare behavior seen in bands of broodmares is “foal-stealing.” A mare about to foal will “steal” another foal from a mare and immediately assume maternal duties. Once the thief mare gives birth, she rejects the stolen foal and unfortunately, the real mother doesn’t always accept her baby back. It’s theorized that hormones released just before birth make the nurturing need so strong in some mares that they can’t wait for their own foal to arrive.
Thursday, December 4, 2008
Riding Through the Winter
Riding Through the Winter
Even for the most diehard horseperson, riding during the dead of winter can be a real challenge. Frigid temperatures and early darkness are tough to get excited about. Combine those with frozen, hard ground or waist-deep snow and you’ve got more than enough reason to put your horse away for the next few months. If you’re not fortunate enough to be able to head south when the mercury starts plunging, but you don’t want to have to start from scratch again next spring, read the following tips. They’ll help keep you and your horse going through the coldest, snowiest days.
1. Dress for the weather. I almost feel silly writing this because it’s so obvious, but I’ll do it anyways. For any outdoor winter activity, wearing layers is key. Why? Because if you become warm you can remove a layer or two. Also, layered clothing provides insulation by trapping body heat so you’re less apt to get a chill. Most importantly, the layer closest to your skin should have wicking properties which remove moisture. There’s nothing more uncomfortable than wearing clothes dampened by perspiration when it’s 20 degrees outside. Fortunately, the selection of cold weather riding apparel is tremendous, so finding the right duds to suit your needs shouldn’t be too difficult. And if you’re worried about expense, try getting creative. You don’t have to wear your fancy, full-seat dressage breeches for a twenty minute hack around the farm; they’re probably not very warm anyhow. A friend of mine, who happens to be petite, purchased a pair of girl’s snowboarding pants at Target to wear in the barn while cleaning on cold winter mornings.
2. Dress your horse for the weather. If you’ve clipped your horse’s coat at all, it’s important that you provide him with some additional protection when you’re out in the elements. Just like you, he gets tight when first starting out in frigid temperatures, so an extra layer is always a good idea. As he warms up, especially if you’re hacking around in deep snow or doing more than walking, remove layers from him as necessary. The design of many quarter sheets allows you to wrap the side pieces around your upper legs, so both you and your horse can stay toasty. If you are hauling your horse in a horse trailer, be sure to reduce the air flow and possibly blanket.
And don’t forget footwear…for your horse, that is. If you regularly shoe him, don’t forget to winterize him, especially if you plan to ride. Snowball pads will prevent snow from balling up in his hooves and shoes with borium will give him better traction on slippery footing.
3. Set reasonable and realistic riding goals. No matter how determined you are, at some point, winter weather will probably interfere with your riding plans. If you accept this at the onset, you’ll be a happier, less frustrated rider for it. Don’t expect to hold yourself to a hard and fast riding schedule, especially if you don’t have an indoor arena. There will be days when the footing or the weather is just too lousy. As the saying goes, tomorrow’s another day. Aim to keep a certain level of fitness in your horse which you can maintain by lots of walking. If the footing is decent or you’ve just had a fresh snowfall, do more than just walk. Trotting and cantering through deep snow is a great aerobic workout for your horse (and it’s not so easy for him to buck when he’s up to his knees and hocks in snow!) You should also plan for shorter riding sessions. Shoot for twenty minutes, if possible. It the weather is agreeable, ride a little longer. When riding in the winter, flexibility is the key to success.
4. Have fun. The winter allows you to do stuff you ordinarily wouldn’t do. Ride your horse bareback (if he’s sane enough), it’s one of the best ways to keep warm. I bridle my horse and ride him with his stable blanket on. Ride him on trails and make him walk through that deep, untouched snow. He’ll get a workout and a half. Enjoy the winter scenery while remembering that each passing day brings you one day closer to spring!
Even for the most diehard horseperson, riding during the dead of winter can be a real challenge. Frigid temperatures and early darkness are tough to get excited about. Combine those with frozen, hard ground or waist-deep snow and you’ve got more than enough reason to put your horse away for the next few months. If you’re not fortunate enough to be able to head south when the mercury starts plunging, but you don’t want to have to start from scratch again next spring, read the following tips. They’ll help keep you and your horse going through the coldest, snowiest days.
1. Dress for the weather. I almost feel silly writing this because it’s so obvious, but I’ll do it anyways. For any outdoor winter activity, wearing layers is key. Why? Because if you become warm you can remove a layer or two. Also, layered clothing provides insulation by trapping body heat so you’re less apt to get a chill. Most importantly, the layer closest to your skin should have wicking properties which remove moisture. There’s nothing more uncomfortable than wearing clothes dampened by perspiration when it’s 20 degrees outside. Fortunately, the selection of cold weather riding apparel is tremendous, so finding the right duds to suit your needs shouldn’t be too difficult. And if you’re worried about expense, try getting creative. You don’t have to wear your fancy, full-seat dressage breeches for a twenty minute hack around the farm; they’re probably not very warm anyhow. A friend of mine, who happens to be petite, purchased a pair of girl’s snowboarding pants at Target to wear in the barn while cleaning on cold winter mornings.
2. Dress your horse for the weather. If you’ve clipped your horse’s coat at all, it’s important that you provide him with some additional protection when you’re out in the elements. Just like you, he gets tight when first starting out in frigid temperatures, so an extra layer is always a good idea. As he warms up, especially if you’re hacking around in deep snow or doing more than walking, remove layers from him as necessary. The design of many quarter sheets allows you to wrap the side pieces around your upper legs, so both you and your horse can stay toasty. If you are hauling your horse in a horse trailer, be sure to reduce the air flow and possibly blanket.
And don’t forget footwear…for your horse, that is. If you regularly shoe him, don’t forget to winterize him, especially if you plan to ride. Snowball pads will prevent snow from balling up in his hooves and shoes with borium will give him better traction on slippery footing.
3. Set reasonable and realistic riding goals. No matter how determined you are, at some point, winter weather will probably interfere with your riding plans. If you accept this at the onset, you’ll be a happier, less frustrated rider for it. Don’t expect to hold yourself to a hard and fast riding schedule, especially if you don’t have an indoor arena. There will be days when the footing or the weather is just too lousy. As the saying goes, tomorrow’s another day. Aim to keep a certain level of fitness in your horse which you can maintain by lots of walking. If the footing is decent or you’ve just had a fresh snowfall, do more than just walk. Trotting and cantering through deep snow is a great aerobic workout for your horse (and it’s not so easy for him to buck when he’s up to his knees and hocks in snow!) You should also plan for shorter riding sessions. Shoot for twenty minutes, if possible. It the weather is agreeable, ride a little longer. When riding in the winter, flexibility is the key to success.
4. Have fun. The winter allows you to do stuff you ordinarily wouldn’t do. Ride your horse bareback (if he’s sane enough), it’s one of the best ways to keep warm. I bridle my horse and ride him with his stable blanket on. Ride him on trails and make him walk through that deep, untouched snow. He’ll get a workout and a half. Enjoy the winter scenery while remembering that each passing day brings you one day closer to spring!
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Should You Blanket Your Horse This Winter?
Should You Blanket Your Horse This Winter?
If you live in a climate where cold winds blow during the winter, every year you’re faced with the question of whether to blanket your horse.
Horses come naturally equipped with a method to ward off the cold; a thick, hairy winter coat. It helps keep them warm and regulate their body temperature.
However, if you’re planning to clip your horse’s coat, it’s imperative that you provide him with alternatives for staying warm. Fortunately, the horse blanket market is such that you’ll find an enormous selection to choose from. Also, if you are trailering your horse in an open stock side horse trailer, you will want to blanket your horse and think about closing off the sides of the trailer to protect the horse from the cold wind. Many horse trailers are fully enclosed with windows and work much better for cold weather hauling.
But if you plan to keep your horse “hairy” this winter and have always wondered if you really need to blanket him, here are a few items to consider that may help you to decide.
· Horses need approximately 10 – 21 days to acclimatize to colder temperatures. After that adjustment period, their winter coat is sufficient to do the job.
· Horses with access to run-in sheds or natural shelter will use them to get out of wind, rain, or snow. They know when they are uncomfortable and will take care of themselves.
· Canadian studies show that well-nourished adult horses can tolerate temperatures as low as 5 degrees F. At colder temps, they begin to lose body heat. In these extreme conditions, horses would benefit from blanketing, extra forage, and shelter, or any combination of these.
· Less active, older horses may be candidates for blanketing since movement helps a horse to generate body heat.
If you do blanket your horse, most importantly, make sure the blanket fits. It shouldn’t rub and all the straps should be adjusted correctly and fasten securely. Remove the blanket daily to groom and check for any skin ailments such as rain rot or chafing. Also, check that the blanket is still waterproof. On a wet day, your horse should feel dry and warm under his turnout; otherwise, it’s not working.
Just a little food for thought concerning whether to blanket or not. Hopefully, it might make your decision a little easier.
If you live in a climate where cold winds blow during the winter, every year you’re faced with the question of whether to blanket your horse.
Horses come naturally equipped with a method to ward off the cold; a thick, hairy winter coat. It helps keep them warm and regulate their body temperature.
However, if you’re planning to clip your horse’s coat, it’s imperative that you provide him with alternatives for staying warm. Fortunately, the horse blanket market is such that you’ll find an enormous selection to choose from. Also, if you are trailering your horse in an open stock side horse trailer, you will want to blanket your horse and think about closing off the sides of the trailer to protect the horse from the cold wind. Many horse trailers are fully enclosed with windows and work much better for cold weather hauling.
But if you plan to keep your horse “hairy” this winter and have always wondered if you really need to blanket him, here are a few items to consider that may help you to decide.
· Horses need approximately 10 – 21 days to acclimatize to colder temperatures. After that adjustment period, their winter coat is sufficient to do the job.
· Horses with access to run-in sheds or natural shelter will use them to get out of wind, rain, or snow. They know when they are uncomfortable and will take care of themselves.
· Canadian studies show that well-nourished adult horses can tolerate temperatures as low as 5 degrees F. At colder temps, they begin to lose body heat. In these extreme conditions, horses would benefit from blanketing, extra forage, and shelter, or any combination of these.
· Less active, older horses may be candidates for blanketing since movement helps a horse to generate body heat.
If you do blanket your horse, most importantly, make sure the blanket fits. It shouldn’t rub and all the straps should be adjusted correctly and fasten securely. Remove the blanket daily to groom and check for any skin ailments such as rain rot or chafing. Also, check that the blanket is still waterproof. On a wet day, your horse should feel dry and warm under his turnout; otherwise, it’s not working.
Just a little food for thought concerning whether to blanket or not. Hopefully, it might make your decision a little easier.
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Earn Dollars by selling Double D Horse Trailers
To all of our thousands of satisfied horse trailer customers. You know that Double D Trailers, Inc. manufactures horse trailers and markets everything factory direct to the end user. We do not deal thru dealers like conventional manufacturers such as Sundowner or Exiss. This method allows us to produce a top quality trailer at typically less expensive prices versus purchasing thru a horse trailer dealer. We have decided to team up with the people that have made our company successful over the years, YOU! At Double D Trailers, we realize that "word of mouth" advertising and satisfied customers will sell us more horse trailers than any other method available. This is where you come in....
Imagine if you need to purchase a new horse trailer, the first thing you will do is research before making a major investment. In doing your research, most of you would generally look online, you may view advertisements in magazines, but most of you would talk to your friends and get their advice. Why would you do this? You assume your friend has already done the same thing you are trying to do. Your friend, your trusted advisor, the person whose opinion you value highly....in your mind you believe they have done their research so their advice will help you make a more informed decision about your purchase. You trust your friend and the power of their suggestion will either make a deal for some or "break" a deal.
Now, let's reverse this. Imagine that you are the friend? You are the advisor, you are the authority on the subject and the one in whom someone else is going to and seeking advice. You already have purchased one of our Double D Trailers and are satisfied with your purchase. What are you going to say? Obviously you will tell the positives and negatives of the experience you have had and make suggestions based on your situation and your purchasing experience. Based on that information, Double D Trailers will likely get another sale or will loose one. Previous customers are our greatest asset in a company. This is why we pride ourselves on customer satisfaction.
Right now, we are offering to all of our previous customers an opportunity to help. At Double D Trailers, we want to help you help someone else make an informed decision about buying a trailer. You are already at horse shows and weekend events, so why not make some money while you are there. You can sell horse trailers and make money without any investment but the trailer you already have and your time. You can actually help pay for the trailer you already have. Interested? View our program and give us your feed back on our blog.
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