Double D Trailers

Generators for Your Horse Trailer that We Recommend

2011-08-11T09:46:00.000-07:00

If you spend a lot of time in your living quarters horse trailer, you know how important it is to have a reliable generator. One that does the job efficiently and dependably.

Think about it; most likely, one of the reasons you bought a Horse trailer to camp in, in the long run, was to save money. Having those living quarters means you don’t have to spend additional money on hotel rooms or eat at a restaurant for every meal.

After all, when you’re regularly traveling to horse shows and other equine activities, entry fees and fuel expenses can eat up a big chunk of money. Tack on hotel and restaurant bills and you’ve got nothing left over to pay the mortgage with!

So, if you’re thinking about buying a generator that gives you the most bang for your buck, we suggest you consider a Honda generator.

Why do we recommend Honda? Because in our experience, we’ve found them to be very lightweight, portable, fuel-efficient, and quiet.

Now mind you, we’re not a dealer for Honda nor do we receive anything from them for endorsing these generators. We just think they’re a good product and want to share this information with our customers.

So take a look at them. And remember, if you have any questions about horse trailers or generators; feel free to contact us anytime at (800) 435-6274 or sales@doubledtrailers.com.
We’d love to hear from you!

Maintain Your Horse's Hocks

2011-07-27T09:14:00.001-07:00

Maintain Your Horse’s Hocks

In other newsletters I’ve written about the benefits of establishing regular maintenance for your horse trailer and tow vehicle.

But how about regular maintenance for your horse?

Just like your trailer or truck, he has parts that, over time, can wear down due to overuse. One area that often becomes problematic is the hocks.

Whether you use your horse for reining, dressage, or something in between, there may come a time when his hocks get achy. And sore hocks can definitely interfere with your horse’s ability to perform at his best.

So if this happens, what are your options?

A popular yet expensive choice is hock injections. Your vet will give the injection, which sends hyaluronic acid into the joint. The hyaluronic acid lubricates the joint and helps the depleted synovial fluid do its job.

As I mentioned, hock injections are pricey, often running into the hundreds of dollars. Most likely, your horse will need to be sedated for this procedure. If your horse is sensitive (like one of mine was), he could react to the sedation by colicking. However, many horses respond very positively and improve dramatically (mine did.)

How long your horse benefits may vary. Some horses do well with once a year injections, others may need to have the injections repeated more frequently.

Another option is feeding your horse an oral supplement that contains hyaluronic acid. There are many on the market to choose from. Initially, supplementing orally with hyaluronic acid was deemed questionable as to how useful it was. But over time, this practice appears to have produced results and has grown more popular. And if you’re trying to keep expenses down, this is a practical alternative.

Most likely, your horse was a big investment for you. So it’s worth your while to invest in a therapy that will work well for him and keep him going for years to come.

Affordable Living Quarter Horse Trailer

2011-07-20T11:49:00.000-07:00

Buffalo Series Living Quarters Horse Trailers

If you’ve always dreamed of owning a living quarters horse trailer yet never felt you could afford one, I’d like to introduce you to our Buffalo Series Living Quarters horse trailers.

I’ve mentioned before that we manufacture all of our Double D horse trailers here at our facility, so that means there’s no middle man involved, which saves you money. We build the trailers and then sell them directly to you. That goes for our Buffalo line of trailers too. This gives them a reasonable price tag. (If you’re wondering what “reasonable price tag” means, click here.)

At Double D, we get it that some horse people may be first-time, living quarters horse trailer buyers who don’t want to spend a fortune, but still want a well-equipped trailer. That’s who we had in mind when we designed the Buffalo series. But even if you’re not a first-timer, you’ll still appreciate what this line of trailers has to offer.

Here’s a quick rundown of a few of the features:

• Double D’s state-of-the-art Z-Frame® Technology, SafeBump Roof®, and SafeKick® Wall System

• Folding wall rear tack design

• Walk-thru door from dressing room to horse area

• Wood grain style cabinets and woodworking

• 6’ short wall x 10’ long wall living quarter area

The list of features goes on and on. If you’re interested and want to see what else comes with the Buffalo Series, click here. We think you’ll like it.

Or contact us. We’re always happy to answer any of your questions. Just call 800-435-6274 or email us at sales@doubledtrailers.com.

Sometimes dreams can come true!

Does Your Horse Recognize You?

2011-05-19T13:32:00.000-07:00

Does Your Horse Recognize You?

A French study appears to confirm something that we probably already knew. That your horse does recognize you and expects certain behavior from you.

The research study took place at the Université de Rennes in Paimpont, France. Carol Sankey, MSc, PhD led the study.

The study involved 16 horses which Sankey and her fellow researchers raised from birth. The only time any of the study horses interacted with humans was at feeding time. And when all the horses reached age two, Sankey taught them to stand for 60 seconds after receiving the voice command “stand.”

After five days, each horse was competent in obeying the command. At this point, the researchers observed and recorded each horse’s behavior when Sankey gave the stand command and then gave the horse varying levels of attention such as standing in front of it and looking at it, turning her back on the horse, or closing her eyes while facing it. For the most part, the majority of the horses showed little interest in what Sankey was doing, that is, they did not watch her or move towards her. However, closing her eyes while facing the horses registered a reaction from more than half of the horses. Head movement and feet movement drastically increased when she did this, indicating that the horses noticed this.

Researchers concluded that the horses displayed this behavior because they had never seen Sankey do this before (close her eyes) so it wasn’t expected. Their lack of interest in her other actions was because they were familiar with that behavior from her in the past.

However, the horses reacted much differently when a stranger performed the same activities. All of the horses “monitored” him, turning their heads to watch or moving towards him.
What does this all mean?

The researchers believe that it means a horse does recognize a human and if that human is around the horse often, the horse comes to expect certain behavior from him. I believe these results also support why horses respond well to consistent training methods vs. erratic ones. If you’re a constant in your horse’s life and always treat him in a consistent manner, he accepts it as the norm and is okay with it. On the other hand, if you always change the way that you interact with your horse, he’s constantly surprised and confused.

Something to keep in mind next time you handle your horse.

Technology and Horses

2010-08-25T08:34:00.000-07:00

Technology and Horses, Sometimes the Old-Fashioned Way is Best

It’s good to know that even in these technological times, sometimes good old-fashioned ingenuity still beats out the hi-tech options.

Let me tell you what I mean.

Over the weekend, I heard a news report about a woman who went trail riding from a farm in Berlin, MA. Apparently, while out on the trail, the rider and horse parted ways and the horse returned home alone.

The rider had carried a cell phone with her but couldn’t use it due to the fall. However, the phone had a GPS system.

When the horse came back rider-less, the boarders and farm owner decided to call the local police. They told them what had happened and shortly after, the police and EMTs arrived at the farm with a couple of ATVs.

It was late afternoon by the time the searchers started out looking for the injured woman. Because the trail was overgrown and brushy, the going was slow, and not too long after, the rescuers lost the GPS signal.

About this time, one of the boarders jumped on her horse and set out on the trail. By following clues such as fresh hoof prints and manure, and calling out the woman’s name, it wasn’t long before she located the injured rider. At that point, she called the rescuers from her cell phone and directed them to the spot.

At the hospital, doctors found that the rider had suffered back trauma, a broken collarbone, and breathing problems from the fall. Regardless, the injured woman was grateful for the resourceful boarder and her trusty steed.

The moral of this story is don’t think that technology is the only way to go to solve a problem these days. Sometimes, the best solutions are the tried and true ones.

Tips to Keep you in the Saddle on Hot Summer Days

2010-07-07T08:40:00.000-07:00

Tips to Keep you in the Saddle on Hot Summer Days

For many of us, being able to ride year-round is important. Whether you’re on a training schedule or you just like to ride as consistently as possible, keeping at it from one season to the next can sometimes be challenging.

One of the biggest challenges facing riders is the weather. Those in colder climates know that riding through the winter is doable with the right equipment, but often we forget that summer can present obstacles as well.

Summer temperatures can be a big factor in determining when and how much you can ride. Just as in the winter, extreme temps in the summer can affect the amount and intensity of the work you and your horse can do. But just like with winter, there are ways to get around these difficulties.

On days of stifling heat, give yourself options so you can avoid having to ride at the hottest time of the day. For example:

· If possible, plan to ride in the early morning or early evening when temperatures are cooler.

· If your farm or boarding facility has an indoor arena, ride inside, especially if the indoor is well ventilated.

· Consider cutting your riding time in half on extremely hot days or at least give your horse (and yourself) many more walk breaks than usual.

· If you had scheduled a hard training session on a day when it’s blistering outside, switch up your routine and go for a leisurely hack in the woods or somewhere shady instead.

And remember, you can always skip a day or two of riding every now and then and not suffer serious setbacks. Better to take the conservative approach than risk succumbing to heat stroke or other heat-related problems.

Another consideration is dealing with extreme heat at a horse show. Horse shows typically don’t cancel classes because of hot weather, so it’s up to you to know what you and your horse can tolerate. Fainting in the middle of a class is never much fun.

Flexibility is the name of the game when you’re dealing with Mother Nature. Remember that during the summer you’re bound to have days when it’s just too darn hot, and being able to adapt your riding plans accordingly will help keep you in the saddle despite the heat.

SafeBump Technology makes hauling in Horse Trailers More Safe

2010-07-05T11:05:00.000-07:00

Protect your Horse’s Head with our SafeBump® Roof System

For those of you that have been subscribers to this newsletter for a while, you’ve probably noticed that a frequent topic is horse trailer safety. I don’t think I need to elaborate much on why that is; as I’m sure that your horse’s safety is in the back of your mind every time you load him in the trailer (as well as your safety too!)

Since safety is a big deal here at Double D, we’re always working to build a safer horse trailer for our customers. And I think it’s important that we point our safety features out to you, especially if you’re thinking about buying a new horse trailer.

Today I want to talk about horse trailer roofs. And before I tell you about Double D’s SafeBump® Roof System, I’d like to tell you a story.

A few years ago, one of my fellow boarders was trying to load her horse on the trailer. Her horse was very reluctant to get on but after a fair amount of time, she began to make progress. What was happening was her horse would walk a short distance into the trailer, and then back right out again. As time dragged on, everyone started to get a little testy. Finally, the horse had had enough and just as he had entered the trailer, he decided to violently exit by quickly backing up. Unfortunately, as he backed up, he slightly reared and clocked the top of his head, right between his ears, on the roof of the trailer.

Needless to say, there was some blood. The owner had to call the vet to stitch her horse’s forelock back on.

Now I’d like to tell you why Double D’s SafeBump® Roof System could have avoided this unfortunate outcome. We designed the SafeBump® Roof System so it will “flex” if something, like your horse’s head, comes in contact with it. Our SafeBump® Roof consists of three parts: a sturdy Galvalite sheet on the bottom (the horse trailer’s ceiling), a white aluminum sheet on top (the exterior roof), and sandwiched between the two is a block of high-density Styrofoam insulation.

If a horse rears up and hits his head on the ceiling, the Styrofoam, which is designed for absorption, will absorb the impact and “give.”

This may not sound like much, but you only have to witness a horse hitting his head on the roof of a horse trailer once to appreciate how this design could help avoid injury.

Safety isn’t the only benefit of our SafeBump® Roof System, but if I tell you more, I’ll be getting off the safety topic. So, I’ll save the other benefits for another article, or, if you can’t stand the suspense, you can click here to learn more.

Water, Your Horse, and the Winter

2009-11-25T13:29:00.001-08:00

Water, Your Horse, and the Winter
As winter arrives in colder climates, you may notice your horse drinking less water.
Drinking less water can create real problems for horses. They need on average 10 to 12 gallons a day to wash everything through their digestive system. If this isn't happening, a bad colic or impaction can result.
So it's up to you to keep an eye on how much water your horses consume each day. Be on the lookout for signs of dehydration. Manure covered with mucus is a common sign. You can also do the little "skin pinch" test.” Pinch the skin on the shoulder so it folds between your fingers, and then let the skin go. On a hydrated horse, the skin will bounce back immediately. If it takes a few seconds for this to happen, your horse needs to drink more.
So, the age- old question comes back to haunt us: Can you lead a horse to water and make him drink?
One suggestion is to add a small amount of salt to your horse's feed, which may encourage him to drink after dining. (Strangely enough, I've often witnessed my horse licking away at his salt lick right after eating his grain. His salt lick is located right next to his bucket.)
One of the reasons horses drink less in the winter is because the water temperature becomes colder. Horses don't care for cold water. The obvious solution to this problem is to provide them with warm water, but beware. Creatures of habit that they are, they may become suspicious if their formally cool water is now given to them warm. This may turn them off to drinking the water and defeat the purpose you were trying to achieve.
To avoid this, don't heat the water too much. (For example, don't present water that has steam rising from it.) If your horse has a problem with drinking warmer water, play around with the temperatures until you find one that's acceptable.
If possible, invest in heated water buckets and/or tank heaters, which will help stop buckets from freezing. For outside troughs, try insulating them by setting them into the ground, rather than at ground level.
Water is essential to your horse's health, so taking steps to make sure he's drinking enough is worth your while, especially when you consider what could happen if he doesn't.

Double D, the Internet, and how it Benefits You

2009-11-11T13:12:00.000-08:00

Double D, the Internet, and how it Benefits You
I often struggle to remember what life was like before the Internet. Do you remember what it was like?
Especially if you wanted to buy something. Your options were to go to a store or shop from a catalog. But those choices presented their own problems. For instance, what if the store wasn’t local to where you lived, but it had the item that you wanted?
Well, you could hop in your car and drive a great distance or you could call the store and purchase the merchandise over the phone and have it shipped to you.
Catalog shopping was similar to this method. You’d flip through the catalog and see something you liked. Then, you could either fill out the order form and mail it (that is, snail mail), or you could call the cataloger and order it over the phone.
Then, the Internet came along and everything changed.
Suddenly, you had global access to goods and services everywhere. And this was an advantage to both consumers and sellers.
And there was one other advantage to consumers that came about from this connectivity. The ability to reach out to other consumers who had purchased goods and get their feedback. People just like you, who had nothing vested in the product other than they needed it and wanted the most bang for their buck.
So what does this all have to do with Double D Trailers? Plenty!
Now, if you’re shopping for a horse trailer, you’re not restricted to your local dealer. You can do business with us whether you’re ten miles down the street or across the country.
Also, if you need to find out how other Double D customers feel about their trailer and their buying experience, you can go to Google and do a search and arrive at a Web site like this one, which is a forum at The Chronicle of the Horse. Here, you can read what actual buyers had to say about Double D horse trailers.
When you decide it’s time to buy a horse trailer, we’d love to hear from you.

Identifying and Treating Thrush

2009-10-22T07:35:00.000-07:00

Identifying and Treating Thrush
Thrush is an infection of the hoof that affects the frog and sulci (the grooves beside and in the middle of the frog.) The bacterium Fusobacterium necrophorum is usually the culprit behind an outbreak.
When you think of a horse with thrush, you probably envision an unclean environment, like a muddy paddock with lots of manure. However, thrush can occur due to a variety of reasons that have nothing to do with the cleanliness of the horse’s immediate area. Factors such as bad trimming or shoeing or a lack of either can cause thrush to develop. Poor diet or insufficient exercise can also contribute. Horses with bad circulation are prone to thrush outbreaks as well.
Diagnosing thrush is rather straightforward. You only have to see the black, putty-like substance it produces and smell its foul odor once for it to make an impression on you. These two classic symptoms make thrush easily recognizable.
Thrush outbreaks can range from mild to severe. Many horses get it and remain sound. Others may become lame, which sometimes occurs if the bacteria invade the sensitive layers in the foot.
Treatment of thrush involves regular cleaning and medicating of the infected hoof. Milder cases require daily cleaning and picking of the hoof along with an application of a medicated thrush remedy. There are scores of these available on the market.
For more involved cases, you may need the assistance of your farrier for trimming away the dead, infected tissue. Again, clean and pick the affected hoof daily. Do this in a clean spot in your barn. After you’ve picked out the hoof, use a scrub brush and water to clean the hoof. Let it air dry for ten minutes or so, then apply the thrush medication. A popular homemade remedy is “sugardine,” which is a mixture of sugar and Betadine scrub (generically known as povidone iodine.) If the thrush is severe, you may want to pack the hoof with gauze soaked in the thrush medication.
The best way to prevent thrush is to pay attention to your horse’s feet. Pick them out daily and treat them immediately at the earliest signs. Work with your farrier and vet to make sure your horse’s hooves are as healthy as can be.

EquiSpirit Horse Trailers

2009-06-26T10:24:00.000-07:00

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.

How to Stop your Horse Trailer in an Emergency

2009-05-13T07:50:00.000-07:00

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!

Co-Owning a Horse Trailer

2008-12-17T09:07:00.000-08:00

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....

Horse Trivia....did you know?

2008-12-11T13:28:00.000-08:00

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.

Riding Through the Winter

2008-12-04T08:53:00.000-08:00

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!

Should You Blanket Your Horse This Winter?

2008-11-26T07:20:00.000-08:00

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.

Earn Dollars by selling Double D Horse Trailers

2008-11-25T08:19:00.001-08:00

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.

When Should you Retire Your Horse?

2008-11-21T07:04:00.000-08:00

The old saying, “You’re as young as you feel,” applies to horses as well as humans. Just because your horse is chronologically old doesn’t mean you need to retire him. You probably know many horses who’ve reached their “senior” years that exhibit behavior consistent with horses half their age.

According to the Guinness Book of World Records, an English Draft Horse named “Old Billy,” lived to the ripe old age of 62 years! And just a few weeks ago, this newsletter reported the record breaking trail riding achievement of Elmer Bandit, a 37-year old half-Arabian gelding. Obviously, your horse’s age can’t be the only deciding factor.

Most veterinarians agree that as horses age, continued exercise is a real benefit to their overall health, providing they’re sound enough to do so. Pay attention to how your older horse feels and behaves when you’re riding him. If his get up and go hasn’t gotten up and left, you’d probably do him a disservice by retiring him prematurely.

Of course, depending on what you do with your horse can determine when to retire him. Some retirees from one discipline go on to successful and long careers in other areas. The racing establishment considers a 5 or 6-year old “old,” whereas a hunter or dressage horse at that age is just starting out.
One of the major health problems that hinder older horses is arthritis. Fortunately, there are different ways to tackle this issue to help keep your horse comfortable. From pain management to joint injections to 24-hour turnout, the arthritic horse’s discomfort can be managed; it just might take some experimentation to find out what works best.

Senior horses also may require a diet different from their younger peers. Often, the older horse might experience dental problems such as worn teeth or loss of a tooth. In this case, chewing may prove difficult requiring a gradual switchover to senior feed. At this time in a horse’s life, regular dental care is as important as ever.
So, as often is the case with horses, treat each one as an individual. You know your horse better than anyone and will probably know when it’s time to put him out to pasture. Just don’t let a number drive your decision.
Read more articles like these at www.doubledtrailers.com

Purchasing a horse trailer over the internet

2008-10-02T09:33:00.000-07:00

Topic of the week for discussion...in today's busy life, do you really have time to drive all over creation and look at the hundreds of different brands of horse trailers, all at varying prices at multiple locations with varied opinions by numerous dealers? Our answer is, well....NO!! Thus we bring our sales office to your fingertips. Now, will you purchase a trailer over the internet, sight unseen if you find the right one for you? Your thoughts and opinions are welcome...
sign in and post your comments..

Double D Builds All Aluminum Trailers

2008-08-27T06:57:00.000-07:00

We now offer all aluminum trailers in addition to our Steel frame Galvaneal skin trailers. Galvaneal is basically galvanized metal that doesn't rust, very nice material. It is the same metal used in the bed of pick up trucks, very strong, very durable. However, many customers are not convinced of galvaneal and prefer an aluminum trailer which is what much of the horse trailer industry has gone to. At 7:30 AM, August 25th, 2008, Double D Trailers rolled out their first all Aluminum trailer. It was an exhausting two week period where our teams scrambled and worked round the clock to get our first two trailers ready. The first trailer completed was a 3H slant load 4' short wall about $20,000 in pricing and the 2nd was a 12' short wall living quarter trailer in the $65,000 range.
Double D Trailers is located in Pink Hill, NC and markets everything factory direct over the internet.

Horse Trailer Travel in First Class

2008-07-30T07:36:00.001-07:00

The Olympic Horses Travel First Class

You know how you feel every time you load your horse onto your trailer. You check and double check the hitch, lights, and brakes before you set out on your trip, confirming that everything is in perfect working order.

Well, imagine how you’d feel if you were responsible for shipping 200 of the world’s most elite equine athletes to the competition of their lifetime.

That’s the enormous task assigned to the Hong Kong Jockey Club. Their horse transportation system will ship the world’s equine Olympians to their competition venues and back again once the Olympic Games begin in Beijing on August 8.

This specialized transport fleet includes several air-conditioned horse vans, five horse ambulances, a veterinary van, and other support vehicles. The Hong Kong Jockey Club has had years of experience transporting top-notch thoroughbred racehorses around Hong Kong, so they’re well-equipped for handling the Olympic horses.

Designed for safety and comfort, the roomy and spacious vans can carry a total of six horses. Grooms can ride in the van to tend to their assigned horse’s needs, if necessary. An intercom system makes it easy for them to communicate with the van driver.

Accompanying the vans on trips to and from the competition venues will be a lead car, at least one horse ambulance, a veterinary van, and a maintenance car for any vehicle repairs. Police will serve as escorts for the fleet during the games.

The Hong Kong Jockey Club, in anticipation of this once-in-a-lifetime event, just recently set up a series of test runs which includes the Hong Kong Police Department. All horse transport vehicles received final safety checks at this time, too.

Sounds like the world’s equine elites will be in very reliable and experienced hands.

Gooseneck Vs. Bumper Pull Horse Trailer - Which Should You Buy?

2008-06-25T11:27:00.000-07:00

Gooseneck vs. Bumper-Pull Horse Trailer – Which Should You Buy?

If you’re on the market for a Horse Trailer, you may be wondering which type would be better to buy, a gooseneck or a bumper-pull Horse Trailer, also known as a tag-along.

Each type has its advantages and disadvantages. Sorting these out may help you make the right buying decision, so you’ll end up with a Horse Trailer that suits your needs.

Here are some advantages to buying/owning a bumper-pull horse trailer.

• Less expensive to purchase than gooseneck trailers.
• Tow vehicle flexibility; not every bumper-pull trailer requires a truck to tow it.
• Because bumper-pull horse trailers are more common, if you need a vehicle to pull it, for example, yours breaks down, it’s easier to find a vehicle to borrow.
• Turning corners is easier with a bumper-pull since the trailer follows the path of the tow vehicle.
• Less storage space is required for bumper-pulls.
• Towing a bumper-pull horse trailer is less intimidating, especially if you’re new to hauling.

And some disadvantages to bumper-pull horse trailers.

• If you’re hauling two or more horses, stability may be a problem, especially if you’re towing with a vehicle not properly rated for pulling the weight.
• Bumper-pulls typically don’t have as much room for living quarters.
• People are more likely to use improper hitches or less than adequate tow vehicles when pulling a bumper-pull horse trailer.

Now, here are some advantages to hauling with a gooseneck horse trailer.

• gooseneck horse trailers offer more stability by placing the weight of the trailer over the truck axle.
• Goosenecks offer a tighter turning radius because the trailer turns as the tow vehicle turns. Useful when maneuvering in tight places.
• gooseneck horse trailers offer more room for living quarters.
• If you typically haul two horses or more, gooseneck trailers provide better stability.

But, goosenecks have disadvantages, too.

• The tighter turning radius offered makes it easy to cut corners too sharply, thus hitting curbs, mailboxes, etc. Requires practice to get the hang of towing one.
• Hitching up a gooseneck requires that you climb in and out of the truck bed.
• Goosenecks are usually more expensive to purchase because they’re larger.
• Because the combined weight of the trailer and tow vehicle is usually greater than 10,001 pounds, licensing is more complicated since you must declare the trailer as “commercial.”

As you shop for your new or used horse trailer, consider the points just mentioned so you’ll end up with a horse trailer that’s just right for you and your horse.

Fire Safety in the Barn, Part II

2008-06-11T08:10:00.000-07:00

Fire Safety in the Barn, Part II

When fire ignites in a barn, it spreads rapidly and doubles in intensity every 30 seconds. For this reason, having a pre-determined escape plan can save you precious time and you’ll know what to do and where to go should a blaze break out.

Make your staff and regular boarders aware of the barn’s emergency exit plan. Post it at all entryways into the barn. Hold a fire drill twice a year. Blindfold the horses and practice leading them. Post the address of the farm close to a phone or in a prominent place so there won’t be any confusion when making a 911 call. It’s also a good idea to post a site plan, which diagrams the layout of the facility. Display at all entrances so emergency personnel can use it to find their way around the property.

Your escape plan should be simple:

• Call 911 if you see smoke or fire.
• Evacuate all horses and people from the area.
• Meet in a predetermined location.

Every barn should have two separate entrances which gives two means for escape. This way, you’ll have an alternative in case fire blocks one of the doors.

Once you’ve made it outside, go immediately to the assigned “safe” place. Congregating in one spot allows you to do a quick headcount to confirm everyone escaped. Plus, you can contain the horses so firefighters won’t have to contend with them frantically running about, adding to the chaos.

Contact your local fire department and invite them to your farm. A “non-emergency” visit allows firefighters to view your property and become familiar with the location of water sources, available space for emergency vehicles, etc. Use this visit to show the firemen how to lead the horses. Likewise, the horses get to see rescue personnel in full gear.

Whether you’re a small or large farm owner, never take fire prevention and preparedness lightly.

Fire Safety for the Barn, Part I

2008-06-05T09:25:00.000-07:00

Fire Safety for the Barn, Part I

Tragically, most barn fires occur because of negligence or careless behavior. Since much of the material stored in barns is highly combustible, it doesn’t take much for a fire to ignite.

To prevent the unthinkable from happening, it makes sense to fire-proof your barn. By implementing the following suggestions, you can drastically decrease the risk of fire.

Never allow smoking in a barn or in buildings close by. Likewise, areas adjacent to these buildings as well as turnout areas should be off limits too. Hay, grain, and dust are quite flammable and easy to ignite. A discarded cigarette could quickly set fire to any of these.

Install early-detection systems such as smoke detectors or fire alarms and wire them directly to your local fire department. Heat detectors are a good choice too, since they can be set to go off at a specific temperature.

Sprinkler systems can detect and put out a fire in its early stages. If you think the price is prohibitive, consider the value of your horses, horse trailer and your farm and what replacement costs might run.

Place 10-pound, multi-purpose, fire extinguishers at each entry way and make sure everyone knows how to use them. Check the extinguishers’ gauges regularly to see if there’s enough pressure. Most gauges are color-coded. If the needle rests in the green area, there’s plenty of pressure. If it falls into yellow or below, the pressure is low and the extinguisher needs servicing.

Keep hoses attached to water sources for quick access. When fire breaks out, seconds count and you don’t want to waste them fumbling with a water hose.

Just as you want to have a water hose handy in case of a fire, you also want to be able to quickly catch the horses and get them out of the barn. Make sure all horses have a halter and lead rope hanging on their stall door. This practice prevents frantic searching at a moment when you can’t afford to lose time.

Always use caution when working with electrical appliances in the barn and unplug them when they’re not in use. All tools and appliances require three-prong plugs that go into three-pronged outlets. Use heavy-duty extension cords designed for indoor/outdoor use. Frequently check their condition, looking for cracks or breaks that expose wires. Get into the habit of having your electrical system checked annually by an electrician.

Finally, a word about hay storage. Always check that hay is dry before you stack it, especially if it’s stored in the barn. Green hay is quite combustible and the drying process actually creates heat, a recipe for fire. Stack green hay on its end to allow it to finish curing.

An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, but there are no guarantees. Stay tuned for next week’s newsletter, which will discuss how to create an escape plan should a fire break out.

"Try Before You Buy Campaign"

2008-05-07T09:04:00.000-07:00

From Double D Trailers
To: Potential Customers
We are thinking of adding a "Try before you buy campaign" which would allow you as a customer to schedule a trailer at your place. We know there are many folks looking to purchase a trailer but are hesitant about purchasing site unseen or for other reasons. Our question is, would something like this be helpful to you and what sort of guidelines would you agree to. Your input will help us put together a program that will help both of us, your response is greatly appreciated.

Thanks
Sales Team at Double D Trailers

Your Horse's Nutrition and Long Distance Horse Trailering - Part I

2008-04-17T07:55:00.000-07:00

Your Horse's Nutrition and Long Distance Horse Trailering - Part I

Your Horse’s Nutrition and Long Distance Horse Trailering– Part I

As summer fast approaches, many will be hitting the roads and traveling long distances with their horses. Lengthy trailer rides can take a physical and mental toll on your horse. A good way to prepare him for this stress is to boost the nutritional value of his meals prior to your departure.

To learn more, we spoke with Dr. Juliet Getty, Ph.D., about measures to take that will improve a horse’s immune function, and protect the nervous system against stress before embarking on a long trip of 12 hours or more. Dr. Getty is an equine nutritionist who offers one-on-one consulting services for horse owners as well as a free online forum and a supplement store. For more information, visit Dr. Getty’s Web site at www.GettyEquineNutrition.com.

Dr. Getty advises that before any long trailer trips, it’s important to first assess your horse’s condition. Even healthy, fit horses that are accustomed to trailering long distances need help preparing for the rigors of travel. If your horse isn’t healthy, is aging, or is inexperienced with shipping, you need to address these issues well before it’s time to depart.

A balanced diet is essential to good health so before you begin supplementing for your long trip, you might want to review what your horse eats daily and make adjustments if necessary. Dr. Getty provided guidelines for what a balanced diet should include.

• As much good-quality grass hay and/or pasture that your horse wants.
• For horses exercised regularly, feed a concentrated feed source to provide extra calories. Depending on the horse, you may or may not need to feed according to the manufacturer’s directions.
• A comprehensive vitamin/mineral supplement to fill in the gaps potentially not covered by the commercial feed.
• Additional Vitamin E if your horse’s diet is not already providing 1500 to 2000 IU per day. Be careful of Vitamin E supplements containing Selenium. Too much Selenium can be toxic. Review how much Selenium your horse gets from his overall diet; it shouldn’t be more than 3 mg per day. An equine nutritionist can help you with these calculations. If your horse already receives enough Selenium, be sure to supplement with pure Vitamin E, not a Vitamin E/Se combination.
• A commercial, stabilized flaxseed meal product if it’s not included in the commercial feed. Flaxseeds are high in omega-3 fatty acids, which boost immunity, reduce inflammation of joints and muscles, and help keep the coat and hooves healthy.
• Clean water free from algae, insects, and bird droppings. It should be available at all times.
• Additional salt if your horse doesn’t consume a 5 lb. salt block within two months. Add 2 tablespoons of plain, white, iodized table salt (the kind you buy at the grocery store) to his feed daily; in hot weather, increase to 4 tablespoons per day – but not all in one meal. This can replace any commercial electrolyte products you might be using.

Next week, we continue our interview with Dr. Getty. We’ll discuss when you should begin supplementing your horse’s daily ration in preparation for your trip, and what nutrients you should add to boost his immune function and protect his nervous system against stress, so watch for us in your inbox!

Virginia Horse Trailer Testimonial

2008-03-31T12:14:00.000-07:00

Hi Brad.

I just wanted to follow up with you in regards to the delivery of my new Horse Trailer. It was delivered the Saturday before I was leaving out of town and I wanted to thank you and I believe, Johnny, for making that happen. Johnny ( I couldn't remember if he said Jimmy or Johnny as I was so excited!) was very friendly and delivered the trailer exactly when he indicated. He went through all the features of the trailer and made me feel very comfortable with it.

I returned yesterday from Alabama and finally have found time to go out and sit in it!!! What a great feeling. I even think the horses have taken a liking to it. The trailer is beautiful and all my riding buddies have stopped by, in my absence, to take a tour to of the new digs and they are impressed.

Johnny mentioned there was to be an adapter for plugging the trailer to an extension cord and into the house. He indicated he would let you know it was missing and have one sent to me. I just wanted to follow up on that as well. I really am not sure what he was talking about.

Thank you again for making this a great experience and the trailer is headed out on it's first trail ride this weekend!!!

Kelli K. Sherwin, Virginia

Your Horse's Back - Careful How you mount up

2008-03-19T07:22:00.000-07:00

Your Horse’s Back – Careful How You Mount Up, Horse Trailer Safety

We all know that back pain can really interfere with daily life. Having a sore back makes even the simplest chores difficult. So imagine how back pain can hamper your horse’s performance.

Equine chiropractors and massage therapists have become as commonplace as the veterinarian in helping to treat back ailments. Likewise, more riders seek the advice of professional saddle fitters when selecting a saddle for their horse, because it’s common knowledge that an ill-fitting saddle can be detrimental to how your horse responds during work.

But have you ever stopped to consider whether the way you mount your horse affects his back? One study has.

At the Mary Anne McPhail Equine Performance Center, a part of Michigan State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine, Dr. Hilary Clayton and colleagues performed such an investigation.

The experiment involved ten riders of varying heights and weights and one horse, a 14-year old gelding, who was clinically sound with no back problems. All participants rode the horse in a properly fitted dressage saddle.

The pad beneath the saddle was fitted with several sensors, each designed to measure the pressure exerted when the horse was mounted. Then, the results were analyzed to determine the overall rates of pressure.

Each rider took turns mounting the horse, first from the ground and then a mounting platform. The outcome of the analysis showed that the withers play a major part in stabilizing the saddle as the rider mounts. The force exerted on the wither area was greatest as the rider balanced in the left stirrup while swinging the right leg upwards. This force reached its highest measurement when the heaviest riders mounted from the ground. During the mounting process, the right side of the horse’s withers experienced the most pressure.

The outcome of this study may make you rethink how you mount your horse, regardless of your height and weight. If there’s a mounting block handy, try using it to reduce the pressure placed on your horse’s withers every time you climb on. And make sure your saddle fits well, especially over the withers to avoid inflicting any additional pressure.
Keep your horse comfortable and he’ll always be happy in his work.

Purchasing a Horse Trailer, learn the lingo, Part 2

2008-03-12T06:51:00.000-07:00

Purchasing a Horse Trailer

Learn the Lingo, Part 2

Last week’s newsletter, for those of you who missed it, talked about terms you’re likely to hear when Horse Trailer shopping.

If you’re a first-time buyer, being able to understand and speak the language will make your shopping experience and purchasing decision easier.

So, to increase your knowledge and expand your vocabulary even further, we’re giving you some more terms this week.

Chassis – the frame that supports the structure of a Horse Trailer.

Galvaneal – what Double D Horse Trailers are made of. Galvaneal is galvanized steel which, when painted, provides superior, long-lasting corrosion resistance. The auto industry uses Galvaneal to build pickup truck beds. It’s less expensive than aluminum yet far sturdier and more durable, so better able to withstand the flex and stress of the road. (To learn more about Galvaneal, click here.)

Receiver Hitch – type of hitch used for pulling a tag-along trailer. Receiver hitches mount to the frame of the towing vehicle either by bolts or welding. Mandatory for towing and the only hitch legal in all states, use a Class III or IV frame-mounted receiver hitch to safely haul your tag-along trailer.

Sway Bar – a bar (or bars) attached to the trailer hitch to help control trailer sway. Sway bars are often confused with weight distribution bars, but they aren’t the same. Weight distribution bars help distribute the weight of the trailer between the trailer and the tow vehicle, making towing safer and easier. (See Double D’s blog post dated February 27, 2008 for an in-depth discussion on weight distribution bars.) Chances are if you need sway bars, your trailer has suspension problems, uneven tire pressure, or it’s not level. Correcting these issues should eliminate the need for them.

Undercarriage – the supporting framework that runs underneath a Horse Trailer. The axles attach to this. Also, the undercarriage is part of the chassis.

Unladen Weight – the weight of the trailer including the mats, spare tire, and other trailer accessories, but exclusive of its load (i.e., horses and gear.) You’ll often find the unladen weight listed on the trailer’s Certificate of Origin or on the Title.

Okay, before you reach overload, let’s stop here.

We hope the focus of these last two newsletters has been helpful. Did they answer your questions or raise new ones? Send us an email or post a comment on our Trailer blog. We’d love to hear from you!

Purchasing a Horse Trailer

2008-03-05T07:01:00.000-08:00

Learn the Lingo

Purchasing a horse trailer, especially for the first time, can be a daunting undertaking. So many things to consider – aluminum or steel, new or used, bumper pull or gooseneck, slant load or straight load – the choices are dizzying! And on top of all that, there’s the horse trailer lingo.

Ignorance may be bliss, but not when you’re about to plop down a good chunk of change on a beautiful, new, living quarters horse trailer!

To help you out, this week’s newsletter defines some terms that you’re likely to hear when trailer shopping, yet may have no clue what they mean. So here we go…

Breakaway brake– an independent braking device housed on the trailer’s coupler and equipped with a battery. While hauling, if your trailer and towing vehicle become unhitched, the breakaway brake activates the trailer’s brakes so the trailer stops.

(You’re probably wondering how the breakaway brake knows that the trailer and towing vehicle have become separated. Good question. The battery has a removable pin that’s attached to a cable. When you hitch up, you’ll attach this cable to the vehicle or the hitch frame. Should the trailer break away during travel, the cable becomes taut, thereby pulling the pin from the battery, which activates the brakes.)

Coupler – the part of the trailer that "couples” or joins the trailer to the hitch ball whether the trailer is a bumper pull or gooseneck.

Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) – the weight of a trailer when fully loaded. Also known as Gross Weight (GW). Fully loaded means with horses, gear, and all trailer accessories such as mats and spare tire. Technically, your GVW can fluctuate depending on what you’re towing. Two 17 hand warmbloods will be heavier than two Shetland ponies.

Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) – a value assigned by the trailer manufacturer which reflects the recommended maximum loaded weight of a single vehicle. The GVWR for a horse trailer depends on the axle and coupler capacity. So, a horse trailer with two axles rated at 2500 lbs. each and a two inch ball coupler rated at 5000 lbs. gives the trailer a 5000 lb. GVWR. It is illegal and unsafe to load a trailer in excess of its GVWR.

Okay. That’s it for this week; expect a quiz next week (just kidding!)

When making a major purchase like a horse trailer, you can’t educate yourself too much. The more you know, the better buying decision you’ll make.

Trailer More Safely with Weight Distribution Bars

2008-02-27T13:42:00.001-08:00

Trailer more Safely with Weight Distribution Bars

If you’re considering
bumper pull horse trailer trailer or currently own one, you’ve probably heard of a weight distribution bar. Maybe you’ve wondered if your rig needs them. Understanding the basics of a weight distributing hitch can help you decide if you should be using one.

Weight distribution bars, also known as stabilizer bars or equalizer bars, more evenly distribute the trailer’s weight between the trailer and the towing vehicle.

Have you ever seen a bumper pull
trailer hitched to a vehicle whose back end was sagging down? Hopefully, your trailer and vehicle doesn’t look this way because if it does, it means the rear axles of the vehicle are carrying too much tongue weight. This lightens the front end of the vehicle which can create float or bounce as you travel. (To use an analogy, think of what happens when your horse rears; you don’t want that happening to your vehicle while pulling a trailer!)

Properly adjusted weight distribution bars alleviate this problem by displacing the weight resting on the hitch ball and rear axles. Instead, the bars take up the weight and distribute it through the frame of the tow vehicle and the trailer, thus leveling the two. With the weight better distributed, you put less wear and tear on your towing vehicle and your trailer tows better and more safely.

Should you be using weight distribution bars? To find out, check the rating sticker on your hitch, it will list two weight ratings. One rate applies to the weight-carrying load, which is the maximum your hitch can support without using weight distribution bars. The other rate applies to the weight-distribution load, which is the maximum load you can pull using weight distribution bars.

So, for example, let’s say your weight-carrying rating is 2500 lbs. and your weight-distribution is 6500 lbs. You’re heading out to a show with your gear and your 1200 lb. horse. If your trailer weighs 2500 lbs. empty and you’ve added 1200 lbs. plus the weight of your gear, you’ve exceeded the weight-carrying rating and should be using weight distribution bars.

The importance of outfitting your
horse trailerand towing vehicle with the right equipment can’t be emphasized enough. The safety of you and your horse is first and foremost with Double D Trailers. If you have questions about your hitch setup or hitches in general, feel free to call us at 1-800-435-6274 or email us at sales@doubledtrailers.com.

And, keep an eye on your inbox for Double D’s upcoming weekly newsletters. We’ll be talking more about hitches, choosing towing vehicles, and lots of other useful stuff - so stay tuned.

Brought to Life

2008-02-20T08:18:00.001-08:00

Brought to life
Former Univar plant should be running in weeks
David Anderson
2008-02-05 00:00:00
Staff Writer
Local economic and political leaders gathered Monday in front of a factory that has lain dormant for several years, but is expected to come back to life once an area manufacturer begins building horse trailers there.

Lenoir County Economic Development Director Mark Pope announced last week that horse trailer manufacturer Double D Distributors of Pink Hill will expand its operations to Univar’s former plant on the outskirts of Kinston.

The company has established Premier
Trailer Inc. to build aluminum horse trailers at the Neuse Road facility. The operation is expected to employ 55 people.

On Monday, Pope hosted a ceremony in honor of the expansion, which Double D owners Brad and Bartley Heath and consultant Jim Yeates attended.

“For Lenoir County, it’s good to see one of these buildings put back in use,” County Commission Vice Chairman George Graham told Brad Heath, 33, and his younger brother Bartley, age 28. “We’re just so proud of you, a young man, a young team, stepping up to the plate.”

Kinston Mayor O.A. “Buddy” Ritch Jr. told the company leaders that “we are tickled to death that you are here, and we’re looking forward to a great relationship.”

Ely Perry, president of the Lenoir Committee of 100, Bill Whaley, chairman of the county’s Economic Development Board, and Bobby Merritt, director of workforce development for Lenoir Community College, also made remarks.

Yeates and the Heath brothers also made their feelings known during the ceremony.

“At some point in time, Kinston is going to be known as the home of Premier Trailer,” Yeates said.

Yeates, who Double D initially hired as a consultant for the expansion, has moved to Kinston from his home in the Savannah, Ga., area to bring the factory online.

He said that a number of renovations must be made to the 52,000 square foot facility before work can begin, such as upgrading the electric system and removing an interior wall.

Brad Heath said he expects to start building trailers in six to eight weeks, after the building is refurbished and manufacturing equipment is installed.

Double D Expands

2008-02-20T08:11:00.001-08:00

55 new jobs announced for Kinston
Chris Lavender
2008-02-01 00:00:00
Staff Writer
Double D Trailers, a privately held corporation based in Pink Hill, will expand its equestrian trailer manufacturing business to another site in Lenoir County creating 55 new full-time jobs.

Lenoir County Economic Director Mark Pope announced the expansion during a Lenoir County Commissioners meeting on Thursday. Univar’s vacant 40, 000 square-foot facility at 403 Neuse Road will be used to manufacture high-end aluminum horse trailers . Univar previously used the site as a chemical processing plant.

Premiere Trailer, Inc., a subsidiary of Double D Trailers, will lease the Univar facility for five years with plans to eventually purchase the building. Both Premier Trailer, Inc., and Double D Trailers are owned by Brad Heath and Bartley Heath.

In about two months, Premiere Trailer, Inc., plans to begin manufacturing aluminum horse trailers at the site with plans to build 500 units and generate $7.8 million in revenues during its first year.

Pope said Double D Trailers, which employs about 30 people, will continue to manufacture its galvaneal horse trailers once the new Neuse Road site is renovated and in business.

The 40,000 foot-facility has been vacant for five years, Pope said. Premiere Trailer Inc., will begin renovations efforts at the site today which include replacing the building’s entire electrical system. The renovation work will cost about $300,000 to complete, Pope said.

Jim Yeates will head the Premiere Trailer, Inc., operation and said Thursday he is excited to be in Lenoir County. Yeates is currently employed by Double D Trailers.

“We are excited to bring new jobs to Kinston and Lenoir County,” he said. “It is im-portant to keep our business in North Carolina.”

During the negotiation process, Pope said the aluminum equestrian trailer business had two options. The operation could have remained in Ridgeland, SC., or relocate to Lenoir County.

The North Carolina Department of Commerce helped facilitate the expansion, Pope said.

“We offered them some incentives to come here,” he said. “The operating costs were also affordable.”

The Lenoir County Commissioners approved a resolution Thursday to match the Governor’s One NC Fund providing $50,000 in performance based incentives for the new business.

“It is a legally binding agreement,” Lenoir County Attorney Robert Griffin said. “If they don’t meet the numbers, they don’t get the money.”

According to the agreement, Premiere Trailer, Inc., must hire 22 people in 2008, 23 people in 2009, and 10 people in 2010. Pope said the new jobs’ average salaries are $28, 200.

Lenoir Community College will partner with the new business to help train its work force which will include machinists, painters, assembly workers, and welders.

“We can be involved in the orientation process and help develop a customized training program at no cost to the company,” LCC spokesperson Bobby Merritt said.

Yeates said Thursday Premier Trailer’s Inc., is accepting applications for the new po-sitions. He will join the commissioners at 11 a.m. Monday at the Neuse Road site to tour the facility.

“When we can employ 55 people, it is a wonderful time,” Lenoir County Commission Chairman Paul Taylor said.

Chris Lavender can be reached at (252) 559-1078 or clavender@freedomenc.com

Feb 20th Double D News

2008-02-20T08:09:00.001-08:00

An Easy Way to Stop Wasting Hay

As a horse owner, you know how important it is to feed good quality hay. It’s a source of energy and fiber and should be the foundation of your horse’s diet.

So what do you do when your horse wastes that expensive, quality hay by strewing it about his stall or turnout area? With the rising cost of hay and in some areas, hay shortages, this can be a real problem.

One simple solution is to feed with a hay net. Regardless of the type that you use, and there are many available, remember to tie it high enough so that your horse can’t get himself tangled or caught in it. When full, the bottom of the net should be no lower than your horse’s chest. Also, tie the net securely so it can’t come undone.

A hay net is just that, a net with a drawstring closure. Most hay nets can hold three to four flakes of hay although there are extra large size nets that can hold more. Hay nets are made of nylon, cotton, or cotton cord. Hay bags are bags that have a hole cut from one of the sides. This is where the horse pulls the hay from the bag.

So what are the benefits of feeding from a hay net? Typically, your horse will eat his hay more slowly, so smaller amounts will last longer. Also, because the hay is off the ground, your horse can’t paw it or push it around with his nose. If your horse can drag the hay around his stall, then he can go to the bathroom on it. Some horses won’t eat their hay after they’ve done this, but some will, and from a parasite infestation perspective, that’s not a good thing. And, if your horse can’t churn up his hay and bedding, stall cleaning is easier.

Hay nets and bags are portable so you can take them down and move them around, something not easily done with a permanently mounted hay rack.

So don’t let hay waste become an expensive problem for you – try an inexpensive solution and feed with a hay net.

Did you know...? Newsletter February 13th, 2008 Double D Trailers

2008-02-13T09:10:00.000-08:00

Did you know…?

1. Your horse begins shedding his winter coat because of photoperiod. Photoperiod is the amount of time each day an organism (in this case, your horse) is exposed to daylight. As the days grow longer, you’ll soon notice that your horse starts to shed.

2. The normal pulse rate range for a healthy, adult horse is 30 to 40 beats per minute (bpm.) Thoroughbreds and warmbloods average approximately 36 bpm. Draft breeds and Quarter Horse types average a bit lower: between 32 to 34 bpm.

3. Arabians have one less rib, back, and neck vertebra than any other breed of horse.

4. The horse is the official state animal of New Jersey.

5. According to the American Horse Council, in 2005 there were 9.2 million horses in the U.S. and 2 million horse owners.

And some quotable horse quotes…

“If your horse says no, you either asked the wrong question, or asked the question wrong.” ~Pat Parelli

“No hour of life is wasted that is spent in the saddle.” ~Winston Churchill

“The hardest thing about learning to ride is the ground!” ~Author Unknown

“Life without horses is possible but pointless.” ~Author Unknown

Buying a Horse Trailer over the internet, Double D Trailers

2008-02-13T09:09:00.000-08:00

Buying a Horse Trailer over the Internet

Since the introduction of the World Wide Web, buying and selling merchandise online has become commonplace. Practically anything can be purchased with the click of a mouse, even horse trailers.

Double D specializes in Internet horse trailer sales. We’ve devised a unique approach to assist “long distance” shoppers.

Obviously, buying over the Web is different from traditional shopping, where you’d visit a trailer dealer and inspect the inventory. Online shopping at Double D lets you to do the same without ever having to leave home. How convenient is that!

By using the following online features, you’ll get just as much information as you would visiting a dealer.

• Photo galleries. Every trailer for sale at Double D can be “viewed” through a gallery of photo images. Interior and exterior shots from all angles with descriptions of each.
• Video tours. So you’re wondering what the living quarters look like on the inside. Just click on the video tour and see for yourself.
• Live “chat.” If you were at the dealership and had a question you’d ask the sales rep, right? Double D’s live chat lets you do the same. It’s the next best thing to being there.
• Email and telephone support. Besides live chat, Double D answers your questions via email or telephone. We’re prompt and courteous in our response, too.
• FAQ page. We’ve fielded a lot of questions over the years about horse trailers and horse trailer safety. We decided to devote a page of our site strictly to the more common ones, just to give our visitors another means to educate themselves about trailers.
• Nation-wide delivery. If you buy a trailer from Double D and live in Oregon, driving to North Carolina to pick it up probably doesn’t appeal to you. Not to worry, Double D offers door-to-door, nation-wide delivery and, we deliver when it’s most convenient for you.

So, when you’re shopping for a horse trailer or just browsing, sit down in front of your computer, get comfortable, and visit www.doubledtrailers.com

Newsletter February 6, 2008, Safe Shipping...

2008-02-13T09:08:00.000-08:00

Safe Shipping – to Wrap or Not?

Should you wrap your horse’s legs when trailering? Many believe it’s not necessary unless your horse loads or travels poorly. Others feel you’re asking for trouble to go without.

Like other aspects of horse care, leg wrapping can be a matter of personal choice. But it only takes one incident; a mishap while loading, a quick stop or swerve, or worst of all, an accident to cause a serious injury. Why take the chance? With so many options available in leg protection, it makes sense to take care of your equine friend. Leg wraps are an inexpensive insurance policy for preventing a potentially devastating leg injury.

Depending on your preference, you could use the traditional “cottons” or “quilts” with bandages or one of the many varieties of shipping boots. If you choose the traditional route - quilts with bandages - be sure that the quilts cover the horse’s leg from just below the knee or hock to the coronary band. Wrap the bandage snugly around the quilt so the wrap is smooth with no lumps or wrinkles. You could even add bell boots for extra protection. If you’ve never wrapped your horse’s legs before, it would be wise to have your vet or an experienced horse person show you how. An incorrectly applied wrap can do more harm than good.

Shipping boots also provide superior protection. Many fasten with Velcro™ making for easy on and off. Like leg wraps, shipping boots should extend from the coronary band to the knees or hocks. Some styles even provide coverage over the hocks. Look for boots constructed of heavy-duty nylon on the outside with thick fleece or foam padding on the inside. Be sure the boots fit well so if your horse paws or kicks they won’t slide down or twist.

If your horse has never worn leg wraps or shipping boots before, introduce them prior to shipping. Some horses react strongly to wearing “stuff” on their legs and need time to adjust. Given the chance, most horses quickly accept wearing leg protection.

Did you know? Double D Trailers Newsletter January 28, 2008

2008-02-13T09:05:00.000-08:00

Did you know…?

1. Because of the diagonal design of slant load trailers, many include a small tack area in the rear corner of the trailer. This location can decrease the width of the trailer’s back end, leaving less space for loading and unloading. Not good if you’ve got a “bad” loader. Double D’s Tack-around design solves this problem by building the tack area into the rear door. So when you swing the back doors open, you have the full width of the trailer to work with when loading and unloading.

2. Contrary to popular belief, horses fed hay 24/7 learn to self-regulate. When continuously provided with hay, they’ll eat only as much as they need. (Source: Getty Equine Nutrition)

3. When towing a two-horse bumper pull horse trailer, always load the heaviest horse on the left. If you’re hauling only one horse, load him on the left side, too. Since roads in the U.S. typically are “crowned” in the center, keeping most of the weight on the left side of the trailer helps to stabilize it.

4. Deciding which is better, a step-up, or a ramp load trailer really boils down to personal preference; each has its pros and cons. What matters most is that whichever you choose, you take the time to properly train your horse to load and unload, and that the trailer size fits the horse and has an inviting, open, non-spooky interior. (Source: Jessica Jahiel’s HORSE-SENSE Newsletter)

5. Having a “left-eyed” horse can cause training problems. Since horses have monocular vision (unlike our binocular vision), they can’t focus both eyes on one thing. Instead, they focus each eye on different things. Because we train primarily from the left (leading, bridling, mounting, etc.), our horses become comfortable seeing activity on that side. However, that same activity viewed from the right side may be alarming to the horse. (Source: The Left Eye)