It may seem like a strange decision for someone who uses it fairly often and considers this her dream trailer (almost...would love a gooseneck with a side ramp, but you know), but hear my reasons out:
- Connor doesn't like it. Maybe he got spoiled rear facing in the farm's 6H head to head, or he really dislikes the chest bar coming up so high on him (poor pony in a warmblood height trailer. Honestly that could be it, he can barely reach his hay bag in it.), but it's the only trailer he's developed loading issues with. All other trailer types (slant and head to head), he hops right into like a dog excited for a road trip.
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| I mean, let's just say he rides in style when he's in the barn's Kiefer Built 6H. |
- I'm going to start hauling over the hills of Brown County regularly this year, and I am a huge fan of complete overkill on truck vs trailer when hauling over steep hills. This rig is safe and my towing capacity is more than adequate, but I think I can do about 1400 pounds better than this and still get everything I need, which would mean I wouldn't even feel it back there going up hills (including Connor and gear, it would weigh less than this one does empty)
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| They're not mountains, but they're not insignificant either. |
- A lighter trailer will also put less load on my truck, which I baby with exceptional maintenance and as light a load as possible as often as I can, since it's 12 years old with 128,000 miles.
- I am never going to haul two horses. Don't want to own two horses, don't want to haul anyone's horse but my own, don't use the second stall for supplies ever, especially since all my hauling is one hour or less.
- It needs some work, which I'm fine with doing, but it also needs modifications to fit Connor properly. If it was one or the other, that'd be fine, but given those two things combined, I'd rather just sell it and get something that we both like, that fits him right off the bat, that is exactly what I need and nothing more.
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| No but seriously, it's tough being short. |
Obviously this is something I've put a lot of thought into, and the option I'm considering is going to sound crazy to 90% of you, but I'm going to look at a brand new aluminum one horse slant with a dressing room this weekend. Unusual configuration? Maybe. But for one girl that owns one pony and a half ton truck, never hauls more than one hour and rarely shows more than 20 minutes from home, I think it just might be ideal. Either that or I actually am crazy.
I actually know somebody local who bought a brand new one horse trailer for the same reason - she only has one horse and never hauls anyone else. If it will make you and Connor happy, awesome! 😀
ReplyDeleteDo what works for you babes, best of luck with the potential sale and purchase!
ReplyDeleteI wondered when I saw your post on Facebook...I get it though. Totally not crazy :)
ReplyDeleteI'd be curious to see what it looks like (layout), but be careful. Every one horse trailer I've ever known has eventually flipped over because they are so precarious to pull. I can think of 3 pretty gnarly wrecks off the top of my head. Thankfully the horse was only ever injured and not killed.
ReplyDeleteThat's in the back of my mind, but this isn't a narrow wheelbase 1 horse. It's as wide as a normal 2 horse, and about the same length as a two horse without a dressing room. I am definitely going to pay close attention to where the horse's weight is distributed over the axles, that was my biggest concern.
DeleteTotally not crazy - I hope you're able to find something that works for you and Mr. Handsome!
ReplyDeleteas someone who purposefully selected an 'unusual' configuration (extra nose space instead of a dressing room), i totally agree that when it comes to our personal use trailers, it only matters what *we* want vs what's typically or traditionally popular. nobody is gonna care more about your trailer than you!
ReplyDeleteI own a 1 horse (no dressing room) BrenderUp and have had it for over 5 years now. It is light weight, a dream to hook up and tow and have never had any issues (do a lot of highway hauling, mostly trips within 2 hrs but have taken it 4 hrs before). I honestly can't say enough good things about it. Oddly enough I am in the opposite situation though - I'm looking to upgrade to a 2 horse + dressing room because I now have two horses and the lack of dressing room in the 1 horse was the only true downfall. Best of luck with your search!
ReplyDeleteThat's funny, and I'm selling a 2 horse with a dressing room! I understand though. Peoples' needs change over time or they identify what they like and don't like. It's not like you get to test drive it with your horse in it over a full show weekend, you know.
DeleteSo funny how different horses react to trailers. Our Morgan hated slant loads, Barry hated step ups, we needed oversize for Dottie and we hated mangers. We ended up with nearly what you have already, but my guys have no issue with reaching their hay. Good Luck! Hopefully Connor will travel happier. Better to have what you want. When we haul only one horse we just make it a large stall so the horse can stand however they want.
ReplyDeleteSince I sold and bought a new trailer purely to satisfy one obnoxious Mule's opinions on what trailers she will not kill herself in, I totally understand and don't think you're crazy at all. Have you considered a Brenderup? Those things are so cool.
ReplyDeleteHaha makes sense to me. Courage vastly prefers dark, heavy "deathtrap" looking trailers to open, airy modern ones.
ReplyDeleteCannot explain.
Interested to see what you find for yourself!
ReplyDeleteI love my Brenderup.
ReplyDeleteLightweight, a dream to pull, bright and cool inside, thoughtfully designed, superior resale value.
I have the Baron Insta-tack, which cleverly converts the front end storage into a stand-up dressing room. The single horse versions scare me a bit stability-wise. I've considered removing the divider in mine.
Good luck with your search. :D
I would love a one horse brenderup! The ability to pull it safely without an extremely large truck would be amazing
ReplyDeleteSounds like you are doing right by your horse and your needs so shrug/whatever to the naysayers! I've been super lucky that my mare has loaded right up on anything I've put in front of her from day one. Now that I got a trailer of my own, we'll have to see how she takes to that lol
ReplyDeleteI hope you sell the trailer soon so you can go get your right one.
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