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Member
Posts: 39
| I need some input on horse trailers. I just decided to order a custom made Bison Stratus, but now that my possibilities are endless as to what I can get I have some questions.
Does anyone have and like managers? In my current trailer I use the corner feeders and really like them.
How about drop down windows on the butt side? Are they useful?
Lastly I recently thought about adding a hay rack on top? But how hard is it to use?
Thanks for the input! This will be my first living quarters and what to make sure I order what I will like! |
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The Advice Guru
Posts: 6419
  
| I wouldn't get mangers, yes you have more storage, but then the horses cannot put their heads down to clear their airway. Mangers sit a lot higher then where your corner feeders are.
I have a hay rack, and regretting on getting a hay pod. It is a two person job to put panels up in the rack or hay. If I put hay up there we use a tractor with a bucket. I have a hard time tarping mine, and the tarp us usually only good for one trip, it gets shredded in the wind.
My trainer, I have a side tack, I wish it went all the way through, but it wasn't an option on my floor plan. I have a 25 gallon water tank, and a swing out saddle rack.
I also have a back tack which I gutted I have a 50gallon water tank in the corner, I can fit 6 hay bales stacked in the back tack, buckets, and pelleted feed.
I would definitely get the drop down windows on the bum side because I always worry about a rock hitting the horse if I drop the face side windows down, my aunt had a rock break the glass on her face side when it was closed.
Look into the trailer door caddys, I thought it was standard, but it wasn't on my trailer, I had to add it later. |
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 Accident Prone
Posts: 22277
Location: 100 miles from Nowhere, AR | I won't own a trailer without drops on the butt side. Mangers, I can take them or leave them. My trailer is 8' wide, so they have room to back up and still get their heads down. I've never used my hay rack. |
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I keep my change in my pockets
Posts: 2985
Location: MN | Our current trailer is 8' wide and has managers. Love the extra storage space and would do it again. A walk thru door from the living quarters to the first stall is a must, with a light switch by that door to turn lights on in the stall area. Spot lights on the outside of the trailer on back to help see when backing up in the dark. Plus on both sides to light up area in the dark.
Big refrig so you get the bigger freezer, a dbl sink, 8' tall so have extra head room in the goose and heat,AC, hot water, full bathroom.
Werm flooring in the horse part so you never have to pull mats again. Collaspable rear tack. Plastic molded saddle racks. Hay pods I'm not sure on, seems like a pain in the butt to load, decrease fuel usage. We have said that when we leave to go to camping for 10 days that a hay pod would be nice. But we fill the first stall with hay and what was in the first stall goes in lvqrts. When we get to the camp site the hay goes under the goose and the other stuff is back in the first or the grill is outside ready to use. |
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Nut Case Expert
Posts: 9305
Location: Tulsa, Ok | I love my mangers for the storage space. Would not be without drop down windows on the butt side. They make all the difference in the world in this part of the country where it gets really really hot. I like my hay rack, but would probably never use it if we did not have a tractor and bucket for loading hay, bedding etc up there. I think a closed pod would be better because of not having to worry about weather conditions.
If I need to haul hay up there and the weather is questionable, I buy contractors debris bags and put the hay in them and close with duct tape. Much better than trying to keep a tarp over them. When we unload from the top we usually try to unhook and back up to the side of the trailer and hand things down to a person standing in the bed of the truck. |
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  More bootie than waist!
Posts: 18425
Location: Riding Crackhead. | My trailer is 8 wide and I have mangers. They have no problem getting their heads down. I love my mangers for storage purpose. |
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Member
Posts: 39
| Thanks for the input!! So much to think about! |
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Sock Snob
Posts: 3021
| If trailer is 8 foot wide or wider mangers are great. Love them. |
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 Expert
Posts: 1526
Location: Texas | Get mangers even in a 7'6 trailer my horses could put their heads down. Get a hay pod, a ramp, mid tack is a must. Don't get cabinets get shelves to sit suitcases on. There is so much wasted space in a trailer you can't use in a living quarters. |
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 Bulls Eye
Posts: 6443
Location: Oklahoma | It depends on the width of the trailer. Do they offer 18" deep mangers or 22" deep mangers? If you do mangers, think about adding extra lights in the mangers and bridle hooks to see. Brush trays on the manger access doors are great options too. |
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Duct Tape Bikini Girl
Posts: 2554
| Must haves:
Drop downs on head and butt side
Escape door
Stud divider by front stall
One extra stall that I won't use
If you travel alone and don't have strong helpers, get an extra stall instead of a hay rack. Having a stud wall will allow you to put hay and supplies in front stall and you can get to them easily with an escape door.
If I had it to do over again I believe I would have a full ramp too. |
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Accident Prone
Posts: 22277
Location: 100 miles from Nowhere, AR | I had a ramp for a long time, and then was without one for a long time and often wished I had made a different choice. Especially since that trailer had blocked axles, so it was a BIG step. So the last trailer I bought, I made sure it had a ramp and have been very thankful for it several times. So much easier on the horses, and if you ever have one severely sick or injured that needs to be hauled to the vet, it will be worth it and then some. |
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